SchoolNet's webinar and podcast programme now in full force

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />This is the time of the year where SchoolNet and Microsoft combine to prepare interested South African teachers for the upcoming Partners in Learning Forum. This competition used to be known as the Innovative Teacher's Forum. There are amazing prizes up for grabs for successful teachers, the most valued being a week long trip to participate in the Pan African and Middle East Finals in Morroco, and/or a week long trip to participate in the World Finals in Greece, for successful teachers. This year SchoolNet is running an online support course from  a wiki (<a href="http://partnersinlearningforum-sa/">http://partnersinlearningforum-sa</a>) to prepare teachers. We are also running, alongside this, a webinar and podcast programme of past winners sharing their successes.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Past finalists and winners group 1 </span></b><br /><br />These three past finalists and winners shared their projects in the same webinar<br /><br /><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Lyneth Crighton from Brescia House in Johannesburg</b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; color: black; line-height: 115%;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lyneth Crighton is from Brescia College in Johannesburg. She ran a workshop in which Grade 10 learners explored the novel “Cry the beloved Country” using Web 2.0 collaborative tools. The girls collaborated on a wiki, participated in an online discussion forum, created a pod-cast and developed a word cloud. Colleagues across learning areas got involved in the workshop to show that the themes in the novel were applicable to a range of learning areas.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; orphans: 2; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Lyneth was a winner in the South African Finals, and they went on to represent South Africa at the Middle East and Africa Finals in Jordan. She won again and were able to participate in the World Finals in Washington DC.</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_7-uGw96ZaMEpTfpUCj8DR8P_1YxDERdFOxutSTtosE8an4ainQnrtWQlzul5tyUOFyRAre9nMVcJfFCVsFDF_p7YFC3cn2XQEItjtUirH7GcfpCgTGHvdCYNZYYYmC_PQS2_vtww8A/s1600/Lyneth+%28336%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_7-uGw96ZaMEpTfpUCj8DR8P_1YxDERdFOxutSTtosE8an4ainQnrtWQlzul5tyUOFyRAre9nMVcJfFCVsFDF_p7YFC3cn2XQEItjtUirH7GcfpCgTGHvdCYNZYYYmC_PQS2_vtww8A/s320/Lyneth+%28336%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Louise Clark from St Cyprians in Cape Town</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; color: black; line-height: 115%;"><br />Louise Clarke and Kim Jackson are both Grade 4 teachers at St Cyprian's School in Cape Town. Their combined project for Grade four learners involved reading the first chapter of book called ‘The Phantom Tollbooth’ and predicting what adventures the main character would have in “The Lands Beyond”. Learners produced artwork and scripts describing what they thought would take place and they then narrated their predictions using Windows Movie Maker. This project only used free software – and its true success was in the way it promoted collaboration and creativity amongst young learners. Louse and Kim were winners in the South African Finals, and they went on to represent South Africa at the Middle East and Africa Finals in Jordan. They won again and were able to participate in the World Finals in Washington DC.</span></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><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/AVvXsEgr_Bb6Q6zMhdb30sdvun6lJrauvrR_3hOwbbvzU62_HA_HGVDJ7WoJbvayAWUU9_WFc2iTeR-86I1rEAa-XOd2gFrdkkEDhLGgWqm3Ag4GpS1spiqeOiTZli8wrJR4hyLN47YVFEZaphQ/s1600/Louise3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_Bb6Q6zMhdb30sdvun6lJrauvrR_3hOwbbvzU62_HA_HGVDJ7WoJbvayAWUU9_WFc2iTeR-86I1rEAa-XOd2gFrdkkEDhLGgWqm3Ag4GpS1spiqeOiTZli8wrJR4hyLN47YVFEZaphQ/s320/Louise3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Natalie Meerholtz from Holy Rosary in Johannesburg</b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; color: black; line-height: 115%;"><br />Natalie Meerholz is from Holy Rosary School in Johannesburg. Natalie and her Grade 6 learners aimed to encourage the school and surrounding community to address the issue of e-waste. Activities included creating e-posters and e-advertisements; reusing e-waste in the form of sculptures; and holding an e-waste launch. An e-waste bin has been set up to encourage responsible e-waste disposal and recycling. Natalie<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="orphans: 2; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">was a winner in the South African Finals, and she went on to represent South Africa at the Middle East and Africa Finals in Jordan. She achieved a winning place and was able to participate in the World Finals in Washington DC.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwoqHOl4I6uBut1Hv_iCdRH7g_aVjxGJSe03CUvWrTauhJULell095gMRlfmyKyX9sMst830INeb5NMFBRyN2NeFbAFjHLMP7Vq-4AlgndE4j_5y_vjF_dS5PoW1AUOMQCci9x3KSLXM/s1600/Natalie336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwoqHOl4I6uBut1Hv_iCdRH7g_aVjxGJSe03CUvWrTauhJULell095gMRlfmyKyX9sMst830INeb5NMFBRyN2NeFbAFjHLMP7Vq-4AlgndE4j_5y_vjF_dS5PoW1AUOMQCci9x3KSLXM/s320/Natalie336.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Watch and listen to their presentations</span></b><br /><br />Here is a Slideshare containing the webinar presentations of the first three past finalists who shared their stories recently. These webinars were converted into YouTube videos. Slideshare now has an amazing feature where you can insert a YouTube video after a slide! Take a look!<br /><br /><div id="__ss_11452848" style="width: 425px;"><b style="display: block; margin: 12px 0 4px;"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/fionabeal/past-winners-1" target="_blank" title="Past winners 1">Past winners 1</a></b> <iframe frameborder="0" height="355" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/11452848" width="425"></iframe> <br /><div style="padding: 5px 0 12px;">View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/thecroaker/death-by-powerpoint" target="_blank">PowerPoint</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/fionabeal" target="_blank">fionabeal</a> </div></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Listen to their podcasts</span></b></div><br /><object data="http://abfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/swf/fullsize_player.swf" height="129" id="boo_embed_656455" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://abfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/swf/fullsize_player.swf" /><param name="scale" value="noscale" /><param name="salign" value="lt" /><param name="bgColor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="FlashVars" value="mp3=http%3A%2F%2Faudioboo.fm%2Fboos%2F656455-natalie-merholtz.mp3%3Fkeyed%3Dtrue%26source%3Dembed&mp3Title=Natalie+Merholtz&mp3Time=12.05am+07+Feb+2012&mp3LinkURL=http%3A%2F%2Faudioboo.fm%2Fboos%2F656455-natalie-merholtz&mp3Author=fibeal&rootID=boo_embed_656455" /><a href="http://audioboo.fm/boos/656455-natalie-merholtz.mp3?keyed=true&source=embed">Natalie Merholtz (mp3)</a></object><br /><br /><object data="http://abfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/swf/fullsize_player.swf" height="129" id="boo_embed_662272" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://abfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/swf/fullsize_player.swf" /><param name="scale" value="noscale" /><param name="salign" value="lt" /><param name="bgColor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="FlashVars" value="mp3=http%3A%2F%2Faudioboo.fm%2Fboos%2F662272-louise-clarke.mp3%3Fkeyed%3Dtrue%26source%3Dembed&mp3Title=Louise+Clarke&mp3Time=03.54pm+10+Feb+2012&mp3LinkURL=http%3A%2F%2Faudioboo.fm%2Fboos%2F662272-louise-clarke&mp3Author=fibeal&rootID=boo_embed_662272" /><a href="http://audioboo.fm/boos/662272-louise-clarke.mp3?keyed=true&source=embed">Louise Clarke (mp3)</a></object><br /><br /></div><br /><object data="http://abfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/swf/fullsize_player.swf" height="129" id="boo_embed_662317" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://abfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/swf/fullsize_player.swf" /><param name="scale" value="noscale" /><param name="salign" value="lt" /><param name="bgColor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="FlashVars" value="mp3=http%3A%2F%2Faudioboo.fm%2Fboos%2F662317-lyneth-crighton.mp3%3Fkeyed%3Dtrue%26source%3Dembed&mp3Title=Lyneth+Crighton&mp3Time=04.18pm+10+Feb+2012&mp3LinkURL=http%3A%2F%2Faudioboo.fm%2Fboos%2F662317-lyneth-crighton&rootID=boo_embed_662317" /><a href="http://audioboo.fm/boos/662317-lyneth-crighton.mp3?keyed=true&source=embed">Lyneth Crighton (mp3)</a></object><br />South African teachers - we encourage you to participate - this year could be the adventure of your life!</div>

Microsoft podcasts Slideshare videos webinars SchoolNet's webinar and podcast programme now in full force

This is the time of the year where SchoolNet and Microsoft combine to prepare interested South African teachers for the upcoming Partners in...

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191

Really, do I need to even say anything with a post title like that...191, as in 191 pounds, as in I gained five pounds over the weekend. Should I tell you how angry and disappointed I am in myself? It probably goes without saying, I am not happy with myself.<br /><br />I've been trying to figure out what is going on with me, why on earth am I so hell bent on killing myself with food?<br /><br />I have figured out that there's a direct link with how much I eat and how much I visit my sister. Last week I made three visits with to see my sister, two hours each visit. Even though the visits go really well, I find I get terribly depressed after seeing her. When I'm depressed and sad, I eat junk. I know this is a problem, but I seem uncontrollable. <br /><br />Since the residents of the adult family home where my sister resides are always working on a jigsaw puzzle, but my sister can't seem to figure them out, I bought a puzzle that was for age 3+. She still struggled with it. I worked with her, giving her hints on which pieces might fit, but she had a very hard time.<br /><br />I bought the wooden block stacking game Jenga. I read online it was good for stroke patients. She was better with this than the puzzle, and we played several times over the weekend (I visited Saturday and Sunday). She remembered how to play it on Sunday, and I think she enjoyed it.<br /><br />I brought her new tennis shoes that fit. I had to buy two pair, one size 11W for her paralyzed side, and one size 10W for her non-paralyzed side. She use to wear size 9N. We had a good laugh when I tried to force her paralyzed foot into the size 11W. The shoe was huge and her foot really isn't that big, it's swollen and her toes are curling under, so she needed a bigger shoe. No matter how hard I tried to jam her foot into the shoe, it wouldn't fit. Finally, with her talking and talking to me and me not understanding a work, she grabbed the shoe from my hand and showed the open part to me so I could see I missed a big wad of tissue stuck down in the toe. We both had a good laugh over that one.<br /><br />I took her for a walk outside yesterday in her wheelchair, with her rolling herself along and using her good hand. It was 58 degrees and sunny. She cried for the first five minutes. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. I finally determined she was happy. It was her first time she had been outside since her stroke on September 21, 2011 (other than being transferred into or out of an ambulance).  She was smiling the entire time, looking at everything and talking non-stop (none of it made sense).<br /><br />I asked her if she remembered her daughter, Camille? I told her Camille wanted to come visit her soon. She waved her hand back and forth and shook her head no. I asked if she knew who I was talking about when I said "Camille". She looked at me and just shrugged her shoulder and put her hand out, like no, I have no idea what you're talking about. <br /><br />We had some good visits last week, so why does it depress the hell out of me to see her? It makes me sad, I want to cry when I leave her. I feel awful this has happened to her, and I feel awful what has happened to me. I wake up at night, worried about her, worried about her finances. Just worried about everything.<br /><br />So I eat to make myself feel better. It's not working.<br /><br /><br />

191

Really, do I need to even say anything with a post title like that...191, as in 191 pounds, as in I gained five pounds over the weekend. Sho...

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estate sale score

I never have trouble walking into an estate sale and finding something I want, but it isn't everyday that I find something I actually NEED. (there's that whole need vs want struggle again).<br /><br />I ran into this particular estate sale on Sunday afternoon, so it had already been going on for 2 days and the house was majorly picked over. I was so sure I wouldn't find anything that Luke and the girls stayed in the car while I did a quick scout. I was running thru in record time with nothing good to pick up until I walked upstairs and found this.<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/AVvXsEjWgbZzYNUGORkuE0iVRhLC2ij3ZK_KqifAqv1uzoipfYb7Y0PHX1Q6f-F_tsv-MLX4k8D7me9WHBGDg1yABS2X0ojquztXP2AoIU3GztRK8uaPm9aOC817NTzaNeO0uWwv93yFzpyBMPED/s1600/IMG_0823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgbZzYNUGORkuE0iVRhLC2ij3ZK_KqifAqv1uzoipfYb7Y0PHX1Q6f-F_tsv-MLX4k8D7me9WHBGDg1yABS2X0ojquztXP2AoIU3GztRK8uaPm9aOC817NTzaNeO0uWwv93yFzpyBMPED/s640/IMG_0823.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crooked iphone picture</td></tr></tbody></table>A dresser for the girls' room has been on my 'hunt list' for a while and this one is perfect. Not only is it already perfectly painted in a non-offensive color (very hard to find if you frequent estate sales), but the drawers open and close as if it was a brand new piece of furniture (a pet peeve of mine), and it had a $100 check from 1973 stuck to the bottom of the top drawer. All of this for the low low price of $70!<br /><br />The estate sale ladies were so nice they even threw in the mirror above it for free and watched the girls for us while Luke and I trucked it down the winding stairs and out to the car.<br /><br />I took it home and put it to use right away. I don't even know what to do with all this storage. I'm giddy!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQw61SqP2Ql8L8JrF3H3Lwg0yu6UclJvCx4VaNoJ6ZurQ4SFjNf9RNoUuaQHM0XTrGNkMuusATBERHGm3wmHMW-iUN_dwaEWgE1CIjWmp1yWwynX6u2DTBkbJ3zrdn9OmXrvrivYxFZc2/s1600/P2063703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQw61SqP2Ql8L8JrF3H3Lwg0yu6UclJvCx4VaNoJ6ZurQ4SFjNf9RNoUuaQHM0XTrGNkMuusATBERHGm3wmHMW-iUN_dwaEWgE1CIjWmp1yWwynX6u2DTBkbJ3zrdn9OmXrvrivYxFZc2/s640/P2063703.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />Along with this score, I also managed to get a painting project done and we made headway on another lighting project for the dining room. More on those things later.<br /><br />Here is to a week of crossing things off the list!

estate sale score

I never have trouble walking into an estate sale and finding something I want, but it isn't everyday that I find something I actually NE...

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University Archivist - Wesleyan University

<strong>University Archivist</strong> - <span style="color: #48286d;"><strong>Wesleyan University</strong></span>. Full-Time. Position Details: Reporting to the Director of Special Collections & Archives (SC&A), this position is responsible for all aspects of the Wesleyan archives, manuscripts, and local history collections. Areas of responsibility for these collections include building collections through acquisition and transfer, outreach and reference services, processing, digitization, and technical services. Works collaboratively with other members of the SC&A staff on archival and other departmental projects. As a member of the professional library staff, serves as faculty liaison to one or more academic departments and selector in one or more disciplines. <a href="https://careers.wesleyan.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1328542131090" target="_blank">View detailed responsibilities</a>. Minimum Qualifications: ALA-accredited MLS or MA in history with a focus on public history or archives; minimum of three years' relevant archival experience. Experience in academic archives. Experience with reference services. Experience processing archival collections, including creating finding aids. Experience with EAD and DACS; experience with metadata standards, such as Dublin Core, METS, and MODS. Knowledge of appropriate preservation practices for archives, photographs, and other materials. Ability to work both collegially and independently. Strong written and oral communication and organizational skills. Ability to interact courteously with a wide variety of people, exercising diplomacy, discretion, confidentiality, and good judgment. Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing priorities. Ability to move boxes weighing up to 40 pounds. Preferred Qualifications: Experience with rare books; appropriate course work may be substituted. Experience using EmbARK or other collection management and cataloging software. Experience with grant writing. Experience with digitization of archival materials. Experience with electronic records. Experience with records management. <a href="https://careers.wesleyan.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1328542131090" target="_blank">View detailed job description and apply online</a>. Applications received by <span style="color: red;">February 19, 2012</span> will be given full consideration.

University Archivist - Wesleyan University

University Archivist - Wesleyan University . Full-Time. Position Details: Reporting to the Director of Special Collections & Archives...

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Assistant Director - East Lyme Public Library

<strong>Assistant Director</strong> - The <span style="color: #48286d;"><strong>East Lyme Public Library</strong></span> seeks a full time Assistant Director. We are seeking an innovative leader with exceptional interpersonal skills, technological proficiency, and managerial experience, preferably in a public library setting. Responsibilities include: scheduling of all staff members, assisting in enforcement of library policies, arranging adult programming, print, serial and audio visual collection development, publication of newsletter three times a year, management of online databases, writing parts of annual report, scheduling of events, some reference desk coverage, staff supervision and training, coordination of payroll forms, managing volunteer applications and work, and other duties as assigned. Must be able to articulate the purpose of the public library to a wide variety of constituents. Full job description available on our web page at <a href="http://www.ely.lioninc.org/" target="_blank">www.ely.lioninc.org</a>. Some evenings and weekend hours involved. Minimum qualifications include a Master’s in Library or Information Science and successful professional record of accomplishment, preferably in a public library setting. A master’s in a related field with substantial public library experience will also be considered. Preferred qualifications include grant writing, understanding the budget process, and use of statistical data to back up library operations. Salary range $51,415-59,059, anticipated start date July 1, 2012. Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume by <span style="color: red;">February 29, 2012</span> to: Assistant Director Search, East Lyme Public Library, 39 Society Road, Niantic, CT 06357, or e-mail documents to <a href="mailto:LTimothy@ely.lioninc.org">LTimothy@ely.lioninc.org</a>. No phone calls or in person drop offs will be considered.

Assistant Director - East Lyme Public Library

Assistant Director - The East Lyme Public Library seeks a full time Assistant Director. We are seeking an innovative leader with exceptio...

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ADDICTION: FORCING LOVE AND HIDING FROM THREAT

Do you have any memories as a child where you actually felt loved? A moment when you received a positive feeling that your mom or dad thought you were special? If it wasn't from your parents was it from someone else? A teacher, a friend's mom, the toys you played with, the new clothes you wore, the friends you had in junior high, a boyfriend/girlfriend, a piece of cake, music, a drink of alcohol, your religious measure, watching your first porn, gambling, sex, or something else that made you feel good about yourself?<br /><br />Usually that feeling of love gives you butterflies, a feeling of importance, a sense of pride, a moment of acceptance and security, and that feeling is what we continue to seek for the rest of our lives. But for many, that love was only received under a condition (let's say sex) and you're forced to submit or to accept that condition (even though it feels like fear and trauma), just for a moment of feeling loved or valuable. If it wasn't molestation, it may have been getting good grades (which took you away from playing as a child). It could be the way you looked and being the prettiest girl in school. For me it was religion, and following what ever rule that was defined for me.<br /><br />What you thought gave you that feeling of love, can become your sense of definition, or becomes what you think you are. But as soon as the source of love and acceptance is threatened you'll immediately defend it. Even if that includes abusing someone else (even your own children) to protect it. You feel angry, justified, entitled, euphoric, a fleeting sense of power and control, even unstoppable. But if what you do that gives you love isn't judged as appropriate, then you hide.<br /><br />There's confusion for why you feel so out of control, have no willpower, and you feel shame, guilt, fear, and intense vulnerability to the ultimate threat: rejection or abandonment if you're caught. We eventually stop seeking the creation of love, but instead run away from losing what makes us feel that fleeting love. This is the life of addiction. This is how someone justifies molesting someone else. This is why you continue to molest your own body with food or addictive dieting and extreme exercise.<br /><br />It all started when you realized someone else had the power to make you feel good about yourself, but also when they also had the power to take that good feeling away and replace it with a bad feeling about yourself. Usually, it starts with your own parents. Take a moment to write down the first time you felt loved. It could be as simple as tying your shoe and getting a hug for the accomplishment. For me, it was my mom buying me a pack of Rolo's at the store, and I didn't have to share with my siblings. Still to this day, every time I go to the market and see Rolo's I feel that love from my mother. I'm smiling even as a write this now. <br /><br />My other first memory of getting love taken away was when I was about 24ish months. I remember one of my brothers and one of my sisters arguing over who was going to change my diaper. My brother ended up having to change my diaper and he was pissed. From that time forward, I felt like a burden to my siblings. I remember feeling really bad and I continually felt as if I needed to do what they said to avoid that feeling of "burden". <br /><br />The moments we remember that gave or took away our value, changed our sense of value. But these are false definitions or lies. They aren't real and aren't true. Those moments are reflections of what defines value and love to others, and you were taught that it was your responsibility to give it to them. That is where things went wrong. As you become aware of how simple this is, and how understandable behavior is under this type of dependency for love (and fear of losing it) you can empathize. You can see why people take advantage of others, why we cheat, steal, hate, and abuse. Why we are entitled to what we think makes us happy, and punished or angry when someone threatens our security.<br /><br />What is your security? What do you need and have to get to feel love? What threatens that love, and does your behavior and choices reflect an offensively taking, or a defensive avoidance of losing it? Are you the abuser or the enabler? Are you vindictive or are you a martyr? Is that the truth or are you just continuing the trauma, passing down the conditional love, and giving your children the idea that others have that much power to give or take from their life?<br /><br />It's time to start over. Start by loving yourself the way you wish you could have from the start: unconditionally. That way it isn't anybody else's job to take care of you and nobody can take that away. <br /><br /><br /><br />

ADDICTION: FORCING LOVE AND HIDING FROM THREAT

Do you have any memories as a child where you actually felt loved? A moment when you received a positive feeling that your mom or dad though...

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Happy 80th Birthday, Edna May!

<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/AVvXsEibpB1TzaHnybs4BMIKXz0HLu603hpAQJjFP-suDWMrkqodYwY4-gfsQSV_z83_aZKzl6m8URJad_p1ww1oyzRolU1o9Ir5IQCYKeZ-T0VLX348ngRwJdlBFOoJu7B8NZtCAPGrFSoZM8on/s1600/soad-edna-and-travers-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpB1TzaHnybs4BMIKXz0HLu603hpAQJjFP-suDWMrkqodYwY4-gfsQSV_z83_aZKzl6m8URJad_p1ww1oyzRolU1o9Ir5IQCYKeZ-T0VLX348ngRwJdlBFOoJu7B8NZtCAPGrFSoZM8on/s400/soad-edna-and-travers-2.jpg" width="397" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Edna May Wonacott in </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Shadow of a Doubt</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> (1943) with Henry Travers</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Edna May Wonacott, who turns 80 today, was born in the town of Willits in Northern California in 1932. She spent most of her childhood to the south, in Santa Rosa, where her father was a grocer. When she was nine years old a twist of fate occurred that changed her life forever. Edna happened to be waiting at a bus stop in downtown Santa Rosa when she encountered director Alfred Hitchcock and producer Jack Skirball. Hitchcock, who would be shooting much of his next film in town, thought there might be a part in it for the pig-tailed, bespectacled young girl whose curiosity captured his attention.</span><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Two years ago, on Edna's 78th birthday, I posted the story she told me of her fateful "discovery." She and I had talked at length about what transpired on that day, what it was like working with Hitchcock on <i>Shadow of a Doubt</i>,<i> </i>as well as her memories of working on Leo McCarey's <i>The Bells of St. Mary's </i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(1945). <a href="http://eves-reel-life.blogspot.com/2011/08/akaann-newton-of-shadow-of-doubt.html" style="color: #990000;">Click here</a> for the full interview.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We've stayed in touch since, and last January just before her 79th birthday, Edna brought me up to date on her life during the intervening year. It was a busy year - a year of letters and autograph requests from fans who'd seen our interview online or when it was published in her local paper or when it later appeared in <i>Films of the Golden Age</i>. She'd been active in other ways, too; in fact, she'd been a very busy lady. <a href="http://eves-reel-life.blogspot.com/2011/01/shadow-of-doubts-ann-newtontoday.html" style="color: #990000;">Click here</a> to find out what interesting turns Edna's life took during 2010.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then last summer, on the 112th anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock's birth, she was part of a celebratory event here at <i>Reel Life;</i> a drawing was held for a DVD copy of <i>Shadow of a Doubt</i> along with a copy of this photo signed by Edna:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span id="goog_873078715"></span><span id="goog_873078716"></span></span><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/AVvXsEje17jLUM038bmE3k8zB85aKnVBkliygmufnnHalYeCy4GcjeqCow5yqUwrAHo6iWzlKNgvsnobw_dBS0pZlzBTI00LhQumiKfbPgU02xcggV2sueCFtkZPlZQ9eZmReVmX2FL438oLzVbF/s1600/Edna+and+Hitch+2+resized+small+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje17jLUM038bmE3k8zB85aKnVBkliygmufnnHalYeCy4GcjeqCow5yqUwrAHo6iWzlKNgvsnobw_dBS0pZlzBTI00LhQumiKfbPgU02xcggV2sueCFtkZPlZQ9eZmReVmX2FL438oLzVbF/s400/Edna+and+Hitch+2+resized+small+cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edna May Wonacott and Alfred Hitchcock on the set<i></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span id="goog_873078715"></span><span id="goog_873078716"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Today, as Edna turns 80, I'd like to wish her an especially happy birthday and wish her many, many more. Thank you, Edna, for sharing your memories.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kQ3SfjwHMK0" width="420"></iframe></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A ten minute segment from <i>Shadow of a Doubt</i> featuring scenes with Edna</span></div>

Alfred Hitchcock Edna May Wonacott Shadow of a Doubt The Bells of St. Mary's The Lady Eve (author) Happy 80th Birthday, Edna May!

Edna May Wonacott in Shadow of a Doubt (1943) with Henry Travers Edna May Wonacott, who turns 80 today, was born in the town of Willits in ...

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How I’m Winning During the Super Bowl

<p>Did you catch <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2012/02/random.html">my post yesterday</a>? It was random, but worth checking out! <p>I'm getting out of this funk & on to bigger & better things....like watching the Super Bowl! ;) <p>I watch football because my husband LOVES it! I've actually gotten into it a little more each year and follow his favorite teams as well. This year I'm not too into either team that's playing in the Super Bowl, but I’m watching the game and the commercials, of course! (in between taking care of a certain cute, little baby!) <p>But what I love about Super Bowl Sunday is the FOOD! As a part of getting out of the funk I was determined to make some yummy, but smart options! Check out what I made! <p align="center"><strong><u>Layered Taco Dip</u></strong> </p> <p align="center"><font size="1"><em>(adapted from </em></font><a href="http://www.eatbetteramerica.com/recipes/healthified/healthified-seven-layer-taco-dip.aspx"><font size="1"><em>Eat Better America</em></font></a><font size="1"><em>)</em></font><a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/1223"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj8wOS8jT1CSY2jSguRBXnK7Fhk32SCPC-7TwTLJl8AQo1S2NaPhO6D3aN4ZxMkhyz464VOcXfbUcWhTlpRaerT-Jx6lcY92ikBUmP23h7ghndDWbwQimZjmPBskY5nZJ2TPVttjgB862/s1600-h/IMG_10564.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1056" border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhIvrXJ4mHdk_2CYasP0HXxj56lJf9nyBfzPX9Ri2w1DjIH1PujSvvemN6AenhVbftuihDeI5g1m516aAsM2SN4cO-sSDl74HFL3qjPIEjnh4z-to8L9p6essi80Oh3SnUld8KlS8mPFi/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1056" width="404"></a></a></p> <ul> <li> <div align="left"><em>1/2 lb ground turkey</em></div> <li> <div align="left"><em>1/2 envelope lower sodium taco seasoning</em></div> <li> <div align="left"><em>4 oz fat free cream cheese</em></div> <li> <div align="left"><em>10 oz fat free refried beans</em></div> <li> <div align="left"><em>1/4 c fat free sour cream</em></div> <li> <div align="left"><em>1/4 c fat free mayonnaise</em></div> <li> <div align="left"><em>4 oz reduced fat shredded cheddar</em></div></li></ul> <p align="left"><em>Preheat oven to 325. Cook ground turkey with 1/4 of the taco seasoning envelope. Set aside. Spread cream cheese in the bottom of an 8X8 baking dish, spread refried beans for the next layer. In a small bowl, mix sour cream mayonnaise, and remaining taco seasoning. Spread sour cream mixture on top of bean layer. Top with turkey and shredded cheddar. Bake 25 minute. Serve with vegetables or tortilla chips. </em></p> <p align="left"><em>Makes 8 servings. 3 points+/serving.</em></p> <p align="left">I paired my taco dip with 1 serving of tortilla chips for a total of 7 points. Delish super bowl appetizer!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bHTJg2ToCtnFCfnSrf3jfW4iYP7je-cU1ZoQ0eSTt15gdHvve_x5AAoE9FxWYZLQ_g0wDRJQzbhoQWCRNYkvGnExJ1hQ9YFuP9lTMs4PnB6-OS8BU8g_fsn_hjETEPwxRWN4B-XPj0SF/s1600-h/IMG_10584.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1058" border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBG471AUMeR6kIRSLNjCU28lsYd65SKyVn0OD8ORZ_XcohbgxMwSIWVYb6iWpW2WG7V4cFZNGhxuGOPw4eSmggbN9WXfuk1ti82UlS7WEbTiD-0wvlIzP1w6fypoDlh3oNwxTuv2rU-GO/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1058" width="404"></a></p> <p align="left">The hubs was excited to order pizza for the game. I said no to the pizza, it was 9 points+/slice! Yikes!!! I decided to make sweet potato fries. I had about 1/4 of the potato for only 2 points+!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VtM6bdpmXgdeE4dT6ypLy6hUeKws3F-mfoktDyIUsd_0MUWDl9KKHwYWKbsA0vUc-4NxKcUTZoaOo_eBLxeB9SlkjZjh4TWWmDc3Pp8YTplTt-DJLpGJjl0j4ME-WoePP4Hd2XgqvL3A/s1600-h/IMG_10604.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1060" border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcZRapEq2d6Be5grolwFtLNBgHSMIlHWh8NqD38ouJis8HW_TtclHEzhqO-ZLDNs8E4L-T4Xov-pSK2KD3R5hXRhPcsPmvwXH6ziwA_0lwqPDgKyuCnBNUfspVFaLobXq6pIKW3OW0Bho/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1060" width="404"></a></p> <p align="left">I rounded out my super bowl treats with a sweet, oversized orange! I need the extra vitamin C. </p> <p align="left">I’m off to cuddle up on the couch and watch the rest of the game. I feel a cold coming on and I’m really not too excited about it. <img alt="Sad smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAdDg0cb9g0ftOOwE8gJQXgX401pcj352P-JEgcyFTO-wnf_f7SnAgI0rpES9vK578761Ctj6hwrT4BUw-2KEWeqT3ZVGBXy-ArAajU_Z8Yo3a6kzxHJBW8cSfpgcsOqx5qy3pakuYZaC/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none"></p> <p align="left"><strong>What’s your favorite part of the Super Bowl?</strong></p>

How I’m Winning During the Super Bowl

Did you catch my post yesterday ? It was random, but worth checking out! I'm getting out of this funk & on to bigger & better t...

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Random

<p>First of all, thank you so much for all your kind words & encouragement on my "<a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2012/02/being-honest.html">Being Honest</a>" post yesterday! <p>I loved all your comments…it’s one of my favorite things about blogging!! <img alt="Winking smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU37xZtGAOwe5ZyMj-iPMRfc2Uctm3Zf6rWhSNaIxJ3cxbH0GvXk5ouvZ6dLJ9txSECMG2WsLrp0cQ4zO_f5HPex0ovPsecIhPQBhVA087rXjOoYX07HE0Zyw3hTmXSqebCpt2gvlKkQKj/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none"> I think the comment who wins the award for getting into my head the most was <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/02011827141352005348">Kim</a>! She said:</p> <p align="center"><em>You never know when it is going to click, so just keep trying, and one good day will lead to two good days, and two good days will lead to 3. It's hard to defeat someone who never quits. You'll get there!!!</em></p> <p align="left">I loved the 2nd to last sentence “<strong><font color="#00ff00">It’s hard to defeat someone who never quits</font></strong>”. That’s good stuff!!! Never give up!! I can do this! Just have to keep telling myself that & keep plugging away. </p> <p align="left">My next random item is a few new recipes I made. For supper tonight I made <a href="http://www.ajourneytothin.com/2012/01/baked-creamy-chicken-taquitos-3-points.html">Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos</a>. I found this recipe over on my friend Alissa’s blog, <a href="http://www.ajourneytothin.com/">A Journey to Thin</a>. Click on the name above to get the recipe. 10 points for 3 taquitos! Yum!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3evS4iUJ4FCe2C1NCeOq1lOhZLmTzIyXwKMeonVorf5VD-KLg_YBtRbP0ZGDDBgmvD7MnmUSE7CcI-6kVuIYMulMY12SDyfuOG2JgynNPkU3EODeZRR5Mycx38O47K2OWvuEsVTlQaj2/s1600-h/IMG_1055%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1055" border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkyrez0pmo5Xhbwg6MxtuQLFEBQEyMU3BXiNzqQvCwXbXiGiV95SHb79ExnVFZlGDp1WxtTQoJMiCJHhdUifuWH42tCmKvJYOO89WO6ATSwomeEPv7F_vZPtOu8nBRNsYz2k0p-x28-kR/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1055" width="404"></a></p> <p align="left">My 2nd new try today was <a href="http://www.bobbimccormick.com/?p=24676">No Bake Protein Energy Bites</a>. These are from one of my favorite bloggers, Bobbie at <a href="http://www.bobbimccormick.com/">Nhershoes</a>! They are SO good and super easy! A must try! I plugged the ingredients into recipe builder and if you make aprox 30, they are 2 points plus each. Not bad for a pre workout snack!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFktJX940YpmA_rL6-21MnYylPly0WAZVxhd7QSg8oljjSEm3cj6tNcOWEIiFDJljVfLXqTx5S_N0q1HTCF1XfnBgRbmCutcO5o9XFMDWVAzA7XMs9P9XYTD1LGmL4EvDvW1RiBnMO_dzg/s1600-h/IMG_1053%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1053" border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPIu8U3YJmdHNZWAv_EQ1pHc4KqMVQbkVe5O33FlNkESSFRvKjQSepyWRMvHGv7_2VYOLINd-mzNrHsnJSceThSiN3wb0JIp4jF_0Mg8zIbGdE6ndJtqUZZk6WxTnl0O30I5QKwG6e9aO/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1053" width="404"></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">^{(notice I’m getting some use out of my valentine plates!)}</font></em></p> <p align="left">And finally, speaking of working out, I got in a killer workout tonight! I was all ready to head out the door for the gym, 7:30pm, and the hubs said, “Doesn’t the gym close early on Saturdays?” Well darn, it does, 5pm to be exact. What’s up with that?!?!</p> <p align="left">I wasn’t about to let that stop me from burning calories. My workout tonight was another find from the wonderful <a href="http://www.bobbimccormick.com/">Bobbie</a>! <u>Holy kick my butt batman</u>! When they say you don’t need a gym to get a good workout, it’s SO TRUE!! I know for a fact, I’m going to be sore tomorrow! I did living room boot camp session #3, you can find it <a href="http://www.bobbimccormick.com/?page_id=796">here</a>. </p> <p align="left">Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! Make sure to check back tomorrow for my “winning” super bowl recipes! <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWfDx13MsqE0beVNoBnZOYW62i8IHSSflMWhf9TIt4iTPu-S6RtOWNJmVrKEfmqjRqQXLdS3oFAxmzxphbFDGjJdxe7CrTv1zTvpn3AC_V8bnoiOHqLugT2d4kgstM4a6F9pv6y5ub5yh/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none"></p>

Random

First of all, thank you so much for all your kind words & encouragement on my " Being Honest " post yesterday! I loved all you...

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16 job search errors you're probably making

<br /><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-top: -30px; text-align: left;"><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; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;">Over the years, hiring managers have born witness to every hiring, interviewing, résumé, cover letter and negotiation mistake there is.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;">You know what these blunders are. We've told you several times. Yet you (and hundreds of other job seekers) continue to make common job search mistakes.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;">From those who see your mistakes over and over, here are 16 common job search mistakes to avoid -- and some of them may surprise you.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>1. You don't keep your options open</b>"Candidates tend to think that if they interview for a job they will get an offer, so they do not apply and interview for multiple positions," says Joanie Spain, director of public relations and career services, School of Advertising Art, a graphic design college.<i> </i>"They wait until one plays out completely, putting their job search on hold until knowing for sure they didn't get the offer."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;">"By having many more irons in the fire, you diversify the risk and disappointment that is inevitable when any single opportunity disappears," adds Roy Cohen, author of "The Wall Street Professional's Survival Guide: Success Secrets of a Career Coach."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;">"You also present yourself as a more passionate and energetic candidate. You're in the 'zone' -- a point where you're in the flow of information and ideas -- and that makes you more valuable."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>2. You turn up your nose at job descriptions</b>"Entry-level candidates are reluctant to apply for a position unless the job sounds like their 'dream job' or they have all qualifications listed," Spain says. "Rather than going on an interview to get more information, they base decisions about applying on the job description alone. They fail to see that all interview experience is good experience, or that, until there is an offer on the table, there is no decision to make."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>3. You haven't perfected the thank-you note</b>"Don't be too verbose with a thank-you note after an interview. Sending out a version of "War and Peace" can come across as desperate and needy for a job. However, sending a one or two sentence thank-you note comes across as flippant, not well thought-out and potentially shows indifference regarding the job to the employer," says Mike Barefoot, senior account manager at Red Zone Resources, a recruitment firm. "We encourage candidates to keep them to four to eight sentences."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>4. You don't check your references</b>"Always give out references that you've pre-screened. We sometimes see candidates give out references that were never checked with and the references feedback isn't always kind," Barefoot says. "Also, make sure they're predominantly managers. An occasional colleague is okay, but contemporaries and friends really don't carry that much weight in helping you land a position."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>5. You've got poor business acumen</b>"Managers are becoming more savvy and are taking candidates out to lunch for interviews. They want to see how you treat a restaurant staff and see the 'real' you. If you're rude to them or don't seem appreciative for their hard work to make your meal pleasurable, managers wonder how you'll treat contemporaries you work with," Barefoot says.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>6. You have a messy briefcase</b>"A messy briefcase can imply the person is unorganized, messy and unprepared, and that their work will be less than optimal," says Ronald Kaufman, author of "Anatomy of Success." "Someone who is neat, clean, organized and prepared in all areas conveys they're serious about getting a job and working."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>7. You discount temporary positions</b>"Many employers coming out of a recession want to hire on a temporary or temp- to perm- basis. We have already seen several contractors be offered permanent positions after they have proven themselves," says Jeffrey Weinstock, Esq. president, Rhodes & Weinstock, a recruiting firm. "Not only will the temporary position pay some bills, think of it as an audition for a potential perm position, or at least a way to get a good reference for another position."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>8. You have a bad attitude</b>"Poor attitudes come through in telephone calls and in interviews. If you are not positive, why would a potential employer want to hire you?" asks Weinstock. "It may take some time, but by being positive, by doing all the right things, by seeing each position as an opportunity, it will happen."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>9. You include too much work history</b>"Many job seekers over 40 think that they have to take their work history back to their first job out of college," says Cheryl E. Palmer, career coach and résumé writer. " All that is needed is the last 10-15 years of your work history."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>10. You use your work email address on your résumé</b>"Some people do not regularly check their personal email, so they use their employers' email instead," Palmer says. "This sends a negative message to potential employers that the job seekers will not hesitate to use their equipment for personal use."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>11. You take "no" as a final answer</b>"No" usually only means "no" for that position, says Bruce Hurwitz, president and CEO, Hurwitz Strategic Staffing, LTD.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;">"If you are rejected for a job you should send a thank-you note, thank the employer for the opportunity, and wish them well. No one does that. When the next opening comes around, he'll remember you," says Hurwitz.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>12. You lack tact</b>"Be determined without being pushy. Calling or emailing to ask about the status of your résumé or interview can be a double-edged sword," says Rod Hughes, director of communications, Oxford Communications. "A tactful follow up can place you top of mind with the hiring manager, while incessant calling or emailing can push your résumé right off the table."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>13. You don't search for yourself on the Internet</b>"Your would-be employer is probably going to look you up online, so you should know what is out there," says Amanda O'Brien, vice president of marketing, Hall Web Services. "Clean up what you can, check your privacy settings on social networks and if it is something you can't get down off the internet, you may want to consider talking to the company about it."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>14. You have a 'death by bullets' résumé</b>"Bullets are great but they need context. Keep them to one line, focused on a result and include a figure like a fact, percentage or number," says Adriana Llames, author of "Career Sudoku: 9 Ways to Win the Job Search Game." "Or, put the information in a short summary of the position."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>15. You've got a scattered strategy </b>"Looking for a job in any industry and with two or three résumés is going to get the same result as the strategy: scattered," Llames says. "Job seekers with a clearly defined, focused and organized strategic approach to their job search end up with clear results -- and a new job."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>16. You think it's about you</b>It is not about you and your need for a job -- it is about the prospective employer and their need to run a successful business and make money, says Lori B. Rassas, employment attorney and author of "Employment Law: A Guide to Hiring, Managing and Firing for Employers and Employees."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;">"Many applicants mistakenly believe they will be an appealing candidate if they explain they will accept any type of job offer at any because they have been laid off, unemployed for an extended period of time, have children in college, or are having difficulty making the mortgage payments," she says. "Even if all of those circumstances are true, candidates need to craft a different message, focusing on how they can benefit the employer by saving them money, streamlining processes, creating additional sources of revenue and bringing overall value to the company."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><i>Rachel Farrell researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for CareerBuilder. Follow @Careerbuilder on Twitter.</i></div></h1></div></div>

16 job search errors you're probably making

Over the years, hiring managers have born witness to every hiring, interviewing, résumé, cover letter and negotiation mistake there is. You...

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10 job-search tips for 2012

<br /><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="background-color: white; margin-top: -30px; text-align: left;"><div class="hdr_org_bld" style="color: #ff6600; font: normal normal bold 18px/normal arial, helvetica;"><h1 id="articleHeadline" style="clear: left; color: #ff7700; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img alt="" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/gm/ar5l2gs69b38klz5qsgm.gif?time=12/6/2011%203:43:09%20pm" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /></h1></div></div><br /><h1 id="articleHeadline" style="background-color: white; color: #ff7700; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Justin Thompson, CareerBuilder Writer</span></b></h1><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></b></div><br /><div class="ArticleContent" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">It's 2012, and with the new year comes a revitalized spirit, gusto and determination to enact your plans and make your dreams happen. With the evolution of career search over the past few years, it's good to take stock of what will make the biggest impact in landing a job this year.<br /><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Some things haven't changed. It's still tough out there. Many people are competing for few opportunities. But with the right tools, you can improve your search, broaden your networking opportunities and align yourself with a career that fits your skills.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Here are 10 tips for a successful job search in 2012:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>1. Create a job-search strategy. </b>Employers hate receiving applications from candidates who are not qualified for positions. So it's time to stop using the shotgun approach to your job search. You're wasting your time, and you're wasting the <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/recruiter/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">recruiter's</a> time. Carefully read job postings and determine whether you could do most of the tasks required if you started tomorrow. A recent<a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">CareerBuilder</a> job forecast reported that employers are not finding qualified candidates for their open positions, so learn how to tailor your existing skills to a job's requirements and spend time preparing better résumés and cover letters instead of just blasting a generic one to every single posting.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>2. Define your goals. </b>It can be challenging to stop and ask yourself, "What do I really want out of a job?" Answers as simple as a paycheck or benefits may be a reality, but the fact is that you do want more out of your job than just cash. Your career needs to satisfy you in more ways than just your pocketbook. By defining what you want out of a job and what you offer as a job seeker, you become better at applying for jobs that are aligned with your overall career goals. By taking the time to define what you want as a job seeker, you can figure out what your best selling points are and the most valuable skills you have to sell to an employer. Make sure your <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/social+media/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">social media</a> accounts are professional if used as part of your search. And if they aren't, keep them under lock and key, since more and more employers are screening applicants via social profiles.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>3. Diversify your search. </b>While employers still use sites like CareerBuilder, many are branching out in multiple ways to connect with job seekers. You should be readily available in each of those channels. Whether it's through social media or local networking events, use today's technology to further spread the message about your job search. Today's job search can be summed up in one word: hustle. The more you switch up your efforts, the more opportunities you'll come across and the more you will place yourself ahead of the pack. Also, know your industry and what trends are happening. <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/manufacturing/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">Manufacturing companies</a> may still have you apply in person, whereas digital<a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/advertising/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">advertising</a> agencies may expect a much more elaborate electronic portfolio available via the Internet.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>4. Evaluate your skills and add more. </b>Perhaps your skills aren't up-to-date with most of the jobs you are seeing in the market, or perhaps they are a little rusty. Brush up on your skills with online courses or <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/instructor/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">community classes</a>. You could also consider going back to school full time.<a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/government/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">Government</a> funding and other programs are available for out-of-work job seekers who want to enroll in training or continue their education to better position themselves in the current workforce.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>5. Be unique. </b>You already know that defining your goals and skills can help set you apart from the competition. When an employer asks, "Why should I hire you?" you will already have a list of your best qualities. As you come across jobs that you feel confident about, do something that will help you stand out and be memorable to the recruiter or <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/HR+manager/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">human resources manager</a>. Dig around, and before applying, find out the name of the hiring manager or someone who heads up the department the position is in, and contact him directly. Use the information on <a href="http://www.bing.com/search?q=LinkedIn&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM=msns07" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">LinkedIn</a> to your benefit. Reach out with a brief introduction, and let him know you've applied for the position and you hope to be in touch. After applying, it never hurts to follow up with a company via social media to share your excitement about the position.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>6. Listen. </b>Searching for a job can be tedious, and you can get so focused that sometimes it's easy to forget to listen, <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/research/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">research</a> or monitor conversations. Pay attention to how employers are<a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/communication/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">communicating</a> about jobs via social media and through their websites and how you can speak to them in their own language. Connect with other job seekers or career experts, and see what methods you can adopt from their job-search strategies. Join Twitter chats and online career fairs to connect with more employers and broaden your network. Just be sure that while you're out selling yourself, you take the time to listen to how others are finding success in their search.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>7. Set goals.</b> The overall goal may be either get a job or get a new one, but when you break that big goal down into smaller goals, you set yourself up for more success and less frustration. When you only look toward that big goal, it can be disheartening when it takes a long time to achieve it. Choose monthly goals such as joining professional organizations or volunteering at a <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/nonprofit/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">nonprofit</a>that will allow you to flex and use your skills. When you are able to create a to-do list and hold yourself accountable for achieving these goals, you'll feel better about yourself. That initiative can be shown off in your job search and interviews as a great example of your character. By forcing yourself to focus on small goals, you continue networking with new individuals who can assist you in your job search.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>8. Prepare for anything. </b>You can't always predict when you may get called for an in-person or phone interview, so you should always be ready. Go into an interview with at least five examples that demonstrate your best qualities. When they want examples of real-life successes or things you'd do differently, have them prepared. If you volunteered or taught yourself a new set of skills, be sure to mention this. <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/actor/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">Rehearse</a> for interviews with mentors or friends so you won't wing it, which can diminish your chances of portraying yourself in the best way. Leave the interviewer with phone numbers of references who will back you up with recommendations.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>9. Positive thinking can lead to positive results.</b> Use your career search as a time to see every situation as a learning opportunity. Of course, every job hunt will have moments of frustration and hopelessness. But don't give up on yourself or on the belief that the right job is out there. Use the time to re-evaluate your career path, which could lead you to a more fulfilling career. A positive attitude is contagious, and the more positive you are, the more likely others will be to go out of their way to help you.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>10. Stay balanced.</b> Job searching can take a lot out of you. Create a schedule or routine for yourself, so you don't burn out. Make sure you get plenty of rest, talk to friends and family, stay active and allow yourself time to do things you enjoy.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Finding the perfect job is attainable, but you have to put in the work and effort and have faith that you'll reach your destination. By being proactive, connecting with others and having a can-do attitude, you'll be able to tackle some of the biggest job-search hurdles in 2012.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><i>Justin Thompson is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, </i><a href="http://www.theworkbuzz.com/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><i>The Work Buzz</i></a><i>. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.</i></div></div>

10 job-search tips for 2012

Justin Thompson, CareerBuilder Writer It's 2012, and with the new year comes a revitalized spirit, gusto and determination to enact your...

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I'm still alive, still fat and still struggling

I never understand how I can let almost two weeks go by and not post a single word. I think about posting, but never seem to have the time, or if I have the time, I can't think of anything to say. Usually it means I'm in a midst of a binge, which was very true this time around. I know posting regularly and reading other weight loss blogs has been a huge help to me in the past four years (I've been blogging for four years this month).<br /><br />Life is definitely a struggle these days. Talking to attorneys, rehashing the last four months over and over with them, reviewing the legal documents to be filed in court, and dreading and hating the whole legal fiasco. As much as I detest this phrase, it's the truth in my case, "it is what it is". In other words, I'm screwed and the situation is beyond my control. I have to do what is best for my sister and what is best for me. End of story on that one.<br /><br />My diet and exercise have been bad. Really, really bad. I only made it to the gym three times last week, claiming I was just to exhausted to get out of bed. I walked at lunch a couple days, but my regular walking co-worker is in Geneva this week, so I had to walk with my backup walker, who walks really s-l-o-w. She's about 100 pound overweight and I think has recently gained even more weight. I can barely walk as slowly as she walks. We stopped at Safeway so she could buy some lunch. She bought a big container of barbecued spare ribs and a giant white flour bagel. We've often talked about weight loss and exercise, but I'd never say anything to her about what she eats. I really enjoy her company, but I worry about her. I bought some fresh asparagus to add to my soup for lunch. Even though I was binging at night, I tried to at least eat a healthy breakfast and lunch.<br /><br />To add to my lack of exercise last week, I fell into a binge cycle. Oddly, I read about a binge on a beloved blogger's post, and it seemed to trigger something in me. I haven't bought binge food for months, things like cookies, cheesecake and chips. I just did not care. After three days of stupid, binge eating, I think I may have come to my senses today. I feel like I got it out of my system and now it's time to move on to better eating and better health.<br /><br />Today is busy so I need to finish this up and head out. I've cleaned house a little, just to make it bearable. Next up is the gym first, then shopping for a few items for my sister. I also want to pick up a child's puzzle for her, one with big pieces. Also some games I read that are good for stroke patients. Then I'll head over to her home and visit for an hour or two. Then home to make some homemade soup for dinner.<br /><br />The weather is fantastic here in the Pacific Northwest today. We have S-U-N-S-H-I-N-E!!!! It's suppose to get up to a high of 58. I love it here when the weather is nice. It's been a tough, dark, wet, cold winter. I'm more than ready for some nice weather. Hopefully, I'll get some pictures today. I plan on bundling my sister up and taking her outside in her wheelchair. It'll be the first time she's been outside since her stroke, other than being transferred to or from an ambulance. I think she's really going to enjoy it. <br /><br />Oh, almost forgot to mention my weight. I don't know. I weighed Wednesday and was 187.6. Still terrible, but considering that was right in the middle of a binge I'm pretty sure it's up from Wednesday. I'll find out tomorrow. Weight Watchers again!

I'm still alive, still fat and still struggling

I never understand how I can let almost two weeks go by and not post a single word. I think about posting, but never seem to have the time, ...

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what's my motivation?

Did anyone else want to be an actress when they were little? Just me? Ok, moving on.<br /><br />I am always looking thru Sarah's House episodes on DVR, old issues of Domino, Pinterest, basically anything to get the juices flowing when its time to start a new project. So, to pump myself up for a long to-do list, here is some weekend motivation. Can you hear the Rocky music playing in the background?<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/AVvXsEgnv6m8dQ0ELjvur02hEC6g7dogYHjoVkvJyvOyr_lnJErXmPHYhQx-c7dG6N0tbH7XgSOx7gb_DC-LDP6csWXRqvitsgTDzZGyn6TayH9XqthN1wwqdCszvmry-WpV4xHc7yidH95Arcdj/s1600/http:youpaidmorethanme.blogspot.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv6m8dQ0ELjvur02hEC6g7dogYHjoVkvJyvOyr_lnJErXmPHYhQx-c7dG6N0tbH7XgSOx7gb_DC-LDP6csWXRqvitsgTDzZGyn6TayH9XqthN1wwqdCszvmry-WpV4xHc7yidH95Arcdj/s640/http:youpaidmorethanme.blogspot.jpeg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://youpaidmorethanme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">You Paid More Than Me</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/6896205648958328/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OSO_M9k3b14snDGfdWgDVattwWnUc26mJRhAMA6EEF73gjfFdc-ejmwj-eBWgoPg11N93jhSJuUf3y263eklVFXjXmARpYUWpoufJgfXlyZT0GIrn32SOQiuM2lgMZ7-t_MARTVLp7hJ/s1600/http:youpaidmorethanme.blogspot-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OSO_M9k3b14snDGfdWgDVattwWnUc26mJRhAMA6EEF73gjfFdc-ejmwj-eBWgoPg11N93jhSJuUf3y263eklVFXjXmARpYUWpoufJgfXlyZT0GIrn32SOQiuM2lgMZ7-t_MARTVLp7hJ/s640/http:youpaidmorethanme.blogspot-1.jpeg" width="490" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/6896205648958329/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><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/AVvXsEjIbdu2oelsB7rMxHGrKYihsGnxjODDqjr-gHZJk8eqpsjMDAqx4Ugu-bb-Kkr2eMg6sL8c796oAOjTXX7cIyxxU-qCTI9RGqCYakvc48PD9Uyxh-oPcUl_Q-JznNDCaonJHk4961qhSPnR/s1600/yes!+basement+stairs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbdu2oelsB7rMxHGrKYihsGnxjODDqjr-gHZJk8eqpsjMDAqx4Ugu-bb-Kkr2eMg6sL8c796oAOjTXX7cIyxxU-qCTI9RGqCYakvc48PD9Uyxh-oPcUl_Q-JznNDCaonJHk4961qhSPnR/s640/yes!+basement+stairs.jpeg" width="448" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/6896205649134174/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Seeing a theme here? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How do you get motivated? Any special projects you are ready to tackle? Happy Weekend!</div>

what's my motivation?

Did anyone else want to be an actress when they were little? Just me? Ok, moving on. I am always looking thru Sarah's House episodes on ...

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The truth nothing but the truth

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src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YFTkKxCmTFN6cDTO1ukn0a-xtEUZTTloCOZgcHGD7KYuixYEglCA7NZLEbueTVA6BCW0I3Ph3EcIBAgwnfm2f2ECv06Sc0pua3VATpsJl4Tz29YNh1YwXm6avIE0Mx1iEsr-Hh4K9b86/s400/23f78_111219013732-arab-league-ministerial-committee-meeting-to-discuss-the-syrian-unrest-in-doha-on-december-17-2011-story-top.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">THE LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES OBSERVER MISSION TO SYRIA MISSION REPORT </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Mission report confirms what I have been arguing all along: that the situation in SYRIA is not the way it is portrayed by mainstream media and certain WESTERN governments. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNxTtNXjlVjpCbLALackg2_puKVCgdvgQK0vRWPkDstiX8AmkoWwijMlEq8iZVaIo5RXeLKK7y-UrvMNPxeSV-6gaxd2Q3ulDZb6W_UDfj-3Lp3Zx8oad6rijzU8XwDNd1H7Dbp4v5n6i/s1600/blood_channels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNxTtNXjlVjpCbLALackg2_puKVCgdvgQK0vRWPkDstiX8AmkoWwijMlEq8iZVaIo5RXeLKK7y-UrvMNPxeSV-6gaxd2Q3ulDZb6W_UDfj-3Lp3Zx8oad6rijzU8XwDNd1H7Dbp4v5n6i/s400/blood_channels.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Could the real reason for the withdrawal of the LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES OBSERVER MISSION TO SYRIA was not because of violence but the fact that the content of the report did not fit into the agenda of certain WESTERN POWERS who envision a different outcome for SYRIA?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> It seems that mainstream media, under the influence of the world power brokers deliberately “downplay” the content of the report because the results of the findings would in most likelihood change public opinion, something the power elite does not want.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here are some extracts to that effect:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Homs and Dera‘a</b>, the Mission observed armed groups committing acts of violence against</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Government forces, resulting in death and injury among their ranks. In certain situations, Government forces responded to attacks against their personnel with force. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The observers noted that some of the armed groups were using flares and armour-piercing projectiles<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Homs, Idlib and Hama</b>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Observer Mission witnessed acts of violence being committed against Government forces and civilians that resulted in several deaths and injuries</b>. Examples of those acts include the bombing of a civilian bus, killing eight persons and injuring others, including women and children, and the bombing of a train carrying diesel oil. In another incident in Homs, a police bus was blown up, killing two police officers. A fuel pipeline and some small bridges were also bombed.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Mission noted that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">many parties falsely reported that explosions or violence had occurred in several locations</b>. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">When the observers went to those locations, they found that those reports were unfounded</b>.<br />The Mission also noted that, according to its teams in the field,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">the media exaggerated the nature of the incidents and the number of persons killed in incidents and protests in certain towns</span></b>.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">According to their latest reports and their briefings to the Head of the Mission on 17 January 2012 in preparation for this report, group team leaders witnessed peaceful demonstrations by both Government supporters and the opposition in several places. None of those demonstrations were disrupted, except for some minor clashes with the Mission and between loyalists and opposition. These have not resulted in fatalities since the last presentation before the Arab Ministerial Committee on the Situation in Syria at its meeting of 8 January 2012.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Since it began its work, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Mission has been the target of a vicious media campaign</b>. Some media outlets have published unfounded statements, which they attributed to the Head of the Mission.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">They have also grossly exaggerated events, thereby distorting the truth.<br /></span><span style="color: blue;">Such contrived reports have helped to increase tensions among the Syrian people and undermined the observers’ work. Some media organizations were exploited in order to defame the Mission and its Head and cause the Mission to fail.</span></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mission received reports from parties outside Syria indicating that the number of detainees was16,237. It also received information from the opposition inside the country that the number of detainees was 12,005. In validating those figures, the teams in the field discovered that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">there were discrepancies</b>between the lists that information was missing and inaccurate, and that names were repeated. The Mission is communicating with the concerned Government agencies to confirm those numbers</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mission noted that the Government strived to help it succeed in its task and remove any barriers that might stand in its way. The Government also facilitated meetings with all parties. No restrictions were placed on the movement of the Mission and its ability to interview Syrian citizens, both those who opposed the Government and those loyal to it.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Arab and foreign audiences of certain media organizations have questioned the Mission’s credibility because those organizations use the media to distort the facts. It will be difficult to overcome this problem unless there is political and media support for the Mission and its mandate. It is only natural that some negative incidents should occur as it conducts its activities because such incidents occur as a matter of course in similar missions.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Last but not least the statement below reiterates what I have claimed regarding communication restrictions in Syria. See:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/02/syrian-agenda.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/02/syrian-agenda.html</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mission communicates with the various groups by mobile phones and facsimile machines</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">connected to the local Syrian telephone network<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">. Occasional cuts in service prevent the Mission from communicating with the groups. Internet service is unavailable in some regions, and in other areas it is intermittent, including in the capital.</b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The full report can be viewed under:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><a href="http://www.columbia.edu/%7Ehauben/Report_of_Arab_League_Observer_Mission.pdf"><b><span style="font-family: Times-Bold; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Bold;">http://www.columbia.edu/~hauben/Report_of_Arab_League_Observer_Mission.pdf</span></b></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkkBZiYzbWmKax8i5peC8goFiMBSdOd6SYR_T3X2Hb_k1WrFbhHooPjgGGe5DgqVnauxAkHHCJbgqD56ZFt3UDuM1XhODIOwp8m6hvK1pdu-p8HG9GKntk1BI8I0_06wTJ7pWRiMtlScK/s1600/Media-Lies-Used-to-Provide-a-Pretext-for-Another-Humanitarian-War-Protest-in-Syria-Who-Counts-the-Dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkkBZiYzbWmKax8i5peC8goFiMBSdOd6SYR_T3X2Hb_k1WrFbhHooPjgGGe5DgqVnauxAkHHCJbgqD56ZFt3UDuM1XhODIOwp8m6hvK1pdu-p8HG9GKntk1BI8I0_06wTJ7pWRiMtlScK/s320/Media-Lies-Used-to-Provide-a-Pretext-for-Another-Humanitarian-War-Protest-in-Syria-Who-Counts-the-Dead.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Times-Bold; font-size: 10pt;">To reiterate my views, here is an interesting article on subject matter from a German Middle East Expert: Professor Günther Meyer :</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><h3 style="color: red; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="DE-AT">Syrien: Orientexperte erhebt schwere Vorwürfe gegen den Westen </span></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="DE-AT"> </span></span></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">Als vor wenigen Tagen die Beobachtermission der Arabischen Liga in Syrien gestoppt wurde, war die Sachlage in den Medien klar: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Assad hat die Gewalt nicht beendet</b>, das Morden Unschuldiger geht weiter. Unterdessen liefert die in London ansässige Syrische Beobachtungsstelle für Menschenrechte Informationen über die genaue Situation und die Zahl der Toten. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Überprüfbar sind die Informationen natürlich nicht, dennoch werden sie unkritisch von allen Medien zitiert.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">Nun hat der Orientexperte Prof. Dr </span><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: Times-Bold; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: DE-AT; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Bold; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Günther</span><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;"> Meyer <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>von der Universität Mainz in einem Interview des Radiosenders Bayern 2 eine ganz andere Wahrheit verbreitet. Die Frage, ob die Beobachtermission gescheitert sei, verneint er klar. So sei die Zahl der Toten deutlich gesunken, sehr viele Gefangene seien freigelassen worden und überhaupt würden die westlichen Medien das völlig falsche Bild vermitteln, dass es sich einzig um Gewalt des Regimes gegen friedliche Demonstranten handeln würde. Meyer schildert eine völlig andere Sachlage:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">Es ist ganz offensichtlich, dass wir es mit einer <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">bewaffneten terroristischen Organisation</b> zu tun haben, die für einen sehr großen Teil der Toten im Lande ebenfalls verantwortlich ist. Das ist durchaus auch in dieser Situation herausgekommen. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Das heißt, wir haben eine klare Anti-Sichtweise gegen das Regime, eine Sichtweise, die massiv gestärkt wird durch die Interessen insbesondere der USA, aber auch durch die westlichen Verbündeten England, Frankreich, nicht zuletzt auch Deutschland.</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Es geht in erster Linie darum, die Achse Iran, Syrien, Hisbollah auszuschalten.</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">Der Radiomoderator fragt irritiert, es klinge „fast wie eine westliche Verschwörung gegen Syrien“. Meyer erhebt daraufhin schwere Vorwürfe gegen den Westen, der in Syrien einen Bürgerkrieg entfachen würde:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">Wir haben es mit einem massiven Eingreifen von außen zu tun. Nicht zuletzt Berichte darüber, dass etwa 600 Mudschaheddin aus Libyen eingeflogen sind, initiiert vom CIA. CIA-Beamte, Geheimdienstbeamte, Frankreich und Großbritannien genauso, bilden Oppositionelle aus, rüsten sie aus in der Nähe von Iskenderia, nahe der syrischen Grenze, rüsten sie aus mit den Waffen, die aus den Arsenalen von Gaddafi herübergebracht werden, um hier einen Bürgerkrieg zu initiieren, um das Land insgesamt zu schwächen.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">Auch betont Meyer, dass Assad nach wie vor die Mehrheit des syrischen Volkes hinter sich hat, wie eine Untersuchung der Katar-Stiftung ergeben habe. Dieses kurze Radiointerview präsentiert die Situation in Syrien völlig anders, als wir es seit Monaten in den Medien zu hören bekommen. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wie schon beim Libyeneinsatz handelt es sich auch hier aller Wahrscheinlichkeit nach um geostrategische Maßnahmen des Westens, die durch massive Propaganda verheimlicht werden</b>. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE-AT">Sollten Meyers Vorwürfe stimmen und tatsächlich durch westliche Geheimdienstaktivitäten ein Bürgerkrieg ausgelöst werden, dann wäre Assad kaum vorzuwerfen, dass er diesen von außen initiierten Umsturzversuch mit Militärgewalt niederschlägt. </span>Die Leidtragenden sind die Zivilisten.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvsjMAMmOTI35MRQO7El1wHke7sh8a5KwoBBz9pl5V_UoOAE2mUGg1S-7FlYzi5uqp-2rvtsENg5rH1HVckeA4imxC7Py29FMiWkllYzAAG1jLHluXOqf9frpxsWNfph4mfB1YB5WBWey/s1600/syria-1_2100474b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvsjMAMmOTI35MRQO7El1wHke7sh8a5KwoBBz9pl5V_UoOAE2mUGg1S-7FlYzi5uqp-2rvtsENg5rH1HVckeA4imxC7Py29FMiWkllYzAAG1jLHluXOqf9frpxsWNfph4mfB1YB5WBWey/s320/syria-1_2100474b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

The truth nothing but the truth

THE LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES OBSERVER MISSION TO SYRIA MISSION REPORT The Mission report confirms what I have been arguing all along: that t...

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