News for today's 2018

Currency Warfare: What are the Real Targets of the E.U. Oil Embargo against Iran?

3:40 AM Tukiyooo 0

<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1vKCzIpSyt2VsnkN7XO0ssw5G0P0FEh5jnkTTxT9Qy2is6Ru3C5FmOjUrANofrYCmmF-QknAKMlZiwpvARv6RoR0O1s6btFEiXx1yWz84qHb3KB2zz32Jrtmj3xxBx9GW7v_3SzyN_Gh/s1600/p_20101014082801FinancialSvcs600x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1vKCzIpSyt2VsnkN7XO0ssw5G0P0FEh5jnkTTxT9Qy2is6Ru3C5FmOjUrANofrYCmmF-QknAKMlZiwpvARv6RoR0O1s6btFEiXx1yWz84qHb3KB2zz32Jrtmj3xxBx9GW7v_3SzyN_Gh/s320/p_20101014082801FinancialSvcs600x500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Against whom is the European Union’s so-called “oil embargo on Iran” really aimed at? </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya</span><br /><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is an important geo-strategic question. Aside from rejecting the new E.U. measures against Iran as counter-productive, Tehran has warned the member states of the European Union that the E.U. oil embargo against Iran will hurt them and their economies far more than Iran. <br /><br />Tehran has thus warned the leaders of the E.U. countries that the new sanctions are foolish and against their national and bloc interests. But is this correct? At the end of the day, who will benefit from the chain of events that are being set into motion?</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oil Embargos against Iran are Not New <br /></span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />In 1951, the Iranian government of Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh with the support of the Iranian Parliament nationalized the Iranian oil industry. As a result of Dr. Mossadegh’s nationalization program, the British militarily blockaded the territorial waters and national ports of Iran with the British Royal Navy and prevented Iran from exporting its oil. They also militarily prevented Iranian trade. London also froze Iranian assets and started a campaign to isolate Iran with sanctions. The government of Dr. Mossadegh was democratic and could not be vilified easily domestically by the British, so they began to portray Mossadegh as a pawn of the Soviet Union who would turn Iran into a communist country together with his Marxist political allies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The illegal British naval embargo was followed by regime change in Tehran via a 1953 Anglo-American engineered coup d’état. The 1953 coup transformed the Shah of Iran from a constitutional figure head to an absolute monarch and dictator, like the monarchs of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar. Iran was transformed overnight from a democratic constitutional monarchy into a dictatorship.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Today, a militarily imposed oil embargo against Iran is not possible like it was in the early 1950s. Instead London and Washington use the language of righteousness and hide behind false pretexts about Iranian nuclear weapons. Like in the 1950s, the oil embargo against Iran is tied to regime change. Yet, there are also broader objectives that go beyond the boundaries of Iran tied to Washington’s project to impose an oil embargo against the Iranians.<br /><br /><b>The European Union and Iranian Oil Sales</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Iran’s largest customer for oil is the People’s Republic of China. According to the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA), which was created after the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo as the strategic wing of the Western Bloc’s Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Iran exports 543,000 oil barrels per day to China. Iran’s other large customers are India, Turkey, Japan, and South Korea. India imports 341,000 barrels per day from Iran, Turkey imports 370,000 barrels per day from Iran, Japan imports 251,000 barrels per day from Iran, and South Korea imports 239,000 barrels per day from Iran.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">According to the Iranian Ministry of Petroleum the European Union only accounts for 18% of Iranian oil exports, which means less than one-fifth of Iranian oil sales. Only “collectively” is the European Union the second largest customer of Iran. All the E.U. countries together import 510,000 barrels per day from Iran. This collective rank that all Iranian oil importing E.U. countries have together is being highlighted by those that want to emphasize the effectiveness of the E.U. oil embargo against Iran.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Iran can replace oil sales to the European Union via new buyers or by increasing sales to existing customers like China and India. An Iranian agreement to work with China for stockpiling Chinese strategic reserves would fill a large portion of the vacuum left by the European Union. Thus, the oil embargo against Iran will have minimal direct effects on Iran. Rather, it is most likely that any of the effects that the Iranian economy feels will be tied to the global ramifications of the oil embargo against Iran.<br /><br /><b>Iran and Global Currency Warfare</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), both the U.S. dollar and the euro together constitute 84.4% of the world’s currency exchange reserves (end of 2011 date). The U.S. dollar alone, was the largest share of the world’s currency exchange reserves in 2011, namely 61.7%. <br /><br />Energy sales are an important part of this equation, because the American dollar is tied to the oil trade. <br /><br />Thus, oil trade, through what is called the petro-dollar, is helping sustain the American dollar’s international standing. Countries around the world have been virtually forced to use the U.S. dollar to maintain their energy and trade needs and transactions. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To highlight the importance of the international oil trade to the U.S., all the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members – Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates – have their national currencies pegged to the U.S. dollar and thereby sustain the petro-dollar by trading oil in American dollars. Moreover, the currencies of Lebanon, Jordan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Belize, and several tropical islands in the Caribbean Sea are also all pegged to the U.S. dollar. Aside from the overseas territories of the United States, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Panama also all officially use the U.S. dollar as their national currencies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The euro on the other hand is both a rival of the U.S. dollar as well as an allied currency. Both currencies work in tandem against other currencies in many cases and seem to be controlled by increasingly merging centres of financial power. <br /><br />Aside from the seventeen European Union members using the euro as their currency, the Principality of Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City have issuing rights and both Montenegro and the Albanian-majority Serbian province of Kosovo also use the euro as their national currencies. Outside of the euro area (Eurozone), the currencies of Bosnia, Bulgaria, Denmark, Latvia, and Lithuania in Europe; the currencies of Cape Verde, Comoros, Morocco, the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, and the two CFA zones in Africa; and the currencies of several Western European overseas dependencies, such as Greenland, are all pegged to the euro. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Several monetary zones are directly tied to the euro. In Oceania, the Comptoirs Français du Pacifique (CFP) franc, simply called the Pacific franc (<i>franc pacifique</i>), used in a monetary union of the French dependencies of French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands is pegged to the euro. As mentioned earlier, both the CFA zones in Africa are also pegged to the euro. Thus, both the Financial Community of Africa (<i>Communauté financière d’Afrique</i>, CFA) franc or West African CFA franc in West Africa – used by Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo – and the Financial Cooperation in Central Africa (<i>Coopération financière en Afrique central</i>, CFA) franc or Central African CFA franc – used by Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon – have their fates tied to the monetary value of the euro.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Iran is not looking for military confrontation in the rising hostilities with the United States and European Union. Despite the warped narrative being presented, Tehran has said that it will only close the Strait of Hormuz as a last resort. The Iranians have also said that they will not let U.S. or hostile ships go through Iranian territorial water, which is their legal right, and that hostile ships could navigate through Oman’s territorial waters in the Strait of Hormuz instead. As a side note, among other things, the problem for the U.S. and Iran’s other adversaries is that the waters on the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz are too shallow.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Instead of military confrontation, Tehran is fighting back economically in several ways. The first step, which started before 2012, was Iranian international oil sales and trade were diversified in regards to their currency transactions. This is part of a calculated move by Iran to move away from using the American dollar just like Saddam Hussein of Iraq did in 2000 as a means to fight back against the sanctions imposed on Iraq. In this context, Iran has created an international energy exchange or course competing with the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) and London’s International Petroleum Exchange (IPE), which both operate using the American dollar for transactions. This energy exchange, called the Kish Oil Bourse, was officially opened in August 2011 on Kish Island in the Persian Gulf. Its first transactions were made using the euro and the Emirati dirhem.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In context of euro and U.S. dollar rivalries, the Iranians originally wanted to turn to the euro and a petro-euro system with the hope that the competition between the American dollar and the euro would make the European Union an ally of Iran and de-link the E.U. from the United States. As political tensions have mounted with the E.U., the petro-euro has become less attractive for Tehran. Iran has realized that the European Union is submissive to U.S. interests under corrupt leaders. Thus, to a lesser extent, Iran has also tried to move away from the euro.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Moreover, Iran has broadened its move away from the use of the U.S. dollar and the euro as policy in bilateral trade relations. Iran and India are talking about gold payments for Iranian oil. Iranian and Russian trade is conducted in Iranian rials and Russian roubles, while Iranian trade with China and other Asian countries is conducted using the Chinese renminbi, Iranian rial, Japanese yen, and other non-dollar and non-euro currencies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While the euro could have been a big winner from a petro-euro system, the actions of the European Union have worked against this. The E.U. oil embargo against Iran is merely hammering the nails in the coffin. Globally, the emerging matrix of Eurasian and international trade and transaction outside of the umbrellas of the American dollar and the euro is weakening both currencies. The Iranian Parliament is now passing legislation to cut oil exports to the members of the European Union that will be part of the sanctions regime until they rescind the Iranian oil sanctions. The Iranian move will be a blow to the euro, especially since the European Union will not have time to prepare for the Iranian energy cuts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There are several possibilities that could emerge. One of them is that this could be part of what Washington wants and it could be playing into its hands against the European Union. Another is that the U.S. and specific E.U. members are working together against strategic economic rivals and other markets.<br /><br /><b>Who Benefits? The Economic Targets are beyond Iran...</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The end of Iranian oil exports to the European Union and the decline of the euro will directly benefit the United States and the U.S. dollar. What the European Union is doing is merely weakening itself and giving the U.S. dollar the upper hand in its currency rivalry against the euro. Moreover, should the euro collapse, the American dollar will quickly fill much of the void. Despite the fact that Russia will benefit from higher oil prices and greater leverage over E.U. energy security as a supplier, the Kremlin has also warned the European Union that it is working against its own interests and subordinating itself to Washington.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many important questions are at play about the economic consequences of increased oil prices. <br /><br />Will the European Union be able to weather the economic storm or a currency collapse? <br /><br />What the E.U. oil embargo against Iran will do is destabilize the euro and snowball globally hurting non-E.U. economies. In this regard, Tehran has warned that the U.S. aims to hurt rival economies through the adoption of E.U. oil sanctions against Iran. Within this line of thinking, this is the reason why the U.S. is trying to force China, India, South Korea, and Japan in Asia to reduce or cut Iranian oil imports.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Within the European Union, it will be the most fragile and struggling economies, such as Greece and Spain, which will be hurt by the E.U. oil embargo against Iran. <br /><br />The oil refineries in the European Union countries that import Iranian oil will have to find new sellers as sources and will also be forced to adjust their operations. Piero De Simone, one of the leaders of Italy’s Unione Petrolifera, has warned that approximately seventy oil refineries in the E.U. could be shutdown and that Asian countries could start selling refined Iranian oil to the European Union at the expense of the local refineries and the local petroleum industries. <br /><br />Despite the political claims supporting an oil embargo against Iran, neither will Saudi Arabia be able to fill the void of Iranian oil exports to the European Union or other markets. A shortfall in oil supplies and the production changes could have spiralling effects in the European Union and on the costs of industrial production, transportation, and market prices. The prediction is that the E.U. will effectively be deepening the crisis in the euro area or Eurozone. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Moreover, the rise in everyday prices, ranging from food to transportation, will not be limited to the European Union, but will have global ramifications. As prices rise on a global scale, the economies in Latin American, Caribbean, African, Middle Eastern, Asian, and Pacific countries will face new hardship, which the financial sector in the U.S. and several of its partners – including members of the European Union – could capitalize on by taking over certain sectors and markets. The IMF and World Bank, as the Bretton Woods proxies of Wall Street, could get into the mix and impose more privatization programs benefiting the financial sectors of the U.S. and its main partners. Furthermore, how Iran decides to sell the 18% of oil it will stop selling to E.U. members will also be a mediating factor.<br /><br /><b>The Ghosts of the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo: Libya and the International Energy Agency</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While countries in Africa or the Pacific have no strategic oil reserves and will be at the mercy of global price increases, the U.S. and the European Union have worked and tried to strategically insulate themselves from such scenarios. This is where the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) comes into the picture. Libyan oil reserves are also a factor to the hostilities and petro-politics involving Iran.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The IEA was created after the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo. As mentioned earlier it is a “strategic wing of the Western Bloc’s Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).” The OECD is a club of countries that includes the U.S., Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Turkey, Australia, Israel, and New Zealand. It is essentially based on the contours of the Western Bloc, which is comprised of America’s allies and satellites. Aside from Israel, Chile, Estonia, Iceland, Slovenia, and Mexico all the members of the OECD are members of the IEA.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Since its creation in 1974, one of the responsibilities of the IEA has been to stock strategic oil reserves for the OECD countries. During the NATO war against Libya the IEA actually opened its strategic oil reserves to compensate for the void left by a lack of Libyan oil exports. The only other two times this happened were in 1991, when Washington led a military coalition in its first war against Iraq, and in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina devastated the United States. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The war in Libya had many purposes: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(1) preventing African unity; <br /><br />(2) driving China out of Africa; <br /><br />(3) strategically controlling important energy reserves; and <br /><br />(4) guarding oil supplies in the scenario of any American-led conflicts against Syria and Iran. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What the NATO war in Libya has done is secure oil output from Libya, because there was a chance that the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya under Colonial Muammar Qaddafi could have suspended oil sales to the European Union in support of Syria or Iran in possible conflicts with the U.S., NATO, and Israel. It is also interesting to note that one of the Libyan figures that helped enable the war against Libya in the United Nations was Sliman Bouchuiguir, the head of the Libyan League for Human Rights (LLHR) and the current Libyan ambassador to Switzerland, who worked on formulating a strategy against allowing oil from being used as a strategic weapon to insure that the 1973 oil crisis never repeat itself for the U.S. and its allies.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Aside from Iran, the Syrians have also been a source of oil imports for the European Union. Like Iran, the E.U. has also cut their bloc off from Syrian oil via a sanctions regime engineered by the U.S. government. With Iranian and Syrian oil cut off from the E.U., the strategic value of Libyan oil rises. In this regard, the reports about the deployment of thousands of U.S. troops to Libyan oil fields can also be analyzed as being coordinated or tied to the growing U.S. and E.U. hostilities with Syria and Iran. Rerouting Libyan oil shipments to the E.U. that were intended for China can also be part of such a strategy.<br /><br /><b>The Psychological War</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In reality, the sanctions regime engineered by the U.S. government against Iran has gone as far as it can go. All the speeches about Iranian isolation are bravado and far from the reality of current international relations and trade. Brazil, Russia, China, India, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Venezuela, and various countries in the post-Soviet space, Asia, Africa, and Latin America have all refused to join the sanctions against the Iranian economy.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The E.U. oil embargo, coupled with the broader sanctions against Iran, has broad psychological implications. Iran and its ally Syria both face a multi-dimensional war that has economic, covert, diplomatic, media, and psychological scopes. <br /><br />The psychological war, which involves the mainstream media as a tool of foreign policy and war, constitutes an efficient propaganda instrument for the U.S. due to its lower costs. Yet, the psychological war can be fought on both sides. <br /><br />Much of the power of the U.S. is psychological and tied to fear. Like the geography of the Persian Gulf, time is on Iran’s side and working against the United States. <br /><br />If Iran continues on its present course and is undeterred by sanctions, this will help break a critical psychological threshold, which around the world tends to discourage countries from confronting and opposing the United States. <br /><br />Should many countries continue to refuse to bow down to the Obama Administration pertaining to the imposition of sanctions against Iran, this will also be a blow to the prestige and power of the U.S., which would also have economic and financial implications.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Moreover, at the end of the day, the E.U. oil embargo will hurt the E.U. instead of Iran. In the long-term it could also hurt the United States. <br /><br />Structurally, the effects of the E.U. oil embargo will further entrench the E.U. in the orbit of Washington, but these effects will catalyze growing social opposition to Washington, which will eventually manifest in the political and economic arenas.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>

Currency Warfare: What are the Real Targets of the E.U. Oil Embargo against Iran?

Against whom is the European Union’s so-called “oil embargo on Iran” really aimed at? by Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya This is an important geo-...

SchoolNet's webinar and podcast programme now in full force

4:19 PM Tukiyooo 0

<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>

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

191

12:51 PM Tukiyooo 0

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...

estate sale score

11:26 AM Anonymous 0

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...

University Archivist - Wesleyan University

7:56 AM Anonymous 0

<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...

Assistant Director - East Lyme Public Library

7:55 AM Anonymous 0

<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...

ADDICTION: FORCING LOVE AND HIDING FROM THREAT

6:43 AM Tukiyooo 0

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...

Happy 80th Birthday, Edna May!

6:00 AM Tukiyooo 0

<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 ...

How I’m Winning During the Super Bowl

5:31 PM Tukiyooo 0

<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...

Random

8:09 PM Tukiyooo 0

<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"><sup>(notice I’m getting some use out of my valentine plates!)</sup></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>

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

16 job search errors you're probably making

3:00 PM Anonymous 0

<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...