How to decode employment ad phrases

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></i></b></span><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, helvetica;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="tblContent"><tbody><tr id="trContent"><td align="center" class="cb_style tcContent" id="tcContent" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><div class="cbArticleWrapper" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; width: 750px;"><div class="cbArticleContentWrapper" style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 15px; width: 750px;"><div class="cbArticleRight" style="width: 560px;"><div class="RXart" style="padding-right: 20px;"><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="margin-top: -30px;"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Larry Buhl, Special to CareerBuilder</span></b><br /><br /><div class="cbmsnArticleImage"><img alt="" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/n5/ar5l5wc695tqtg4rf3n5.gif?time=6/7/2011%2012:05:09%20pm" /></div></div><br /><div class="ArticleContent"><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Contrary to many job seekers' fears, employment ads are more likely to be wish lists than demands. But reading these ads, it's often hard to tell what these companies are actually wishing for. It's a good idea to decode confusing phrases before you apply, so you'll avoid wasting time on jobs out of your reach, and not overlook that perfect fit position.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Experience required, or preferred?</b></div><ul type="disc"><li><b>Experience preferred</b>: The company hopes you have done most of the tasks in the job description. If you haven't you won't automatically be disqualified.</li></ul><br /><ul type="disc"><li><b>Experience required</b>: You should have done most of the tasks of the job advertised. However, the exact amount of experience they want is sometimes negotiable. And remember that your experience can be in a particular field or position, or you might have more general experience or transferable skills that you can apply to the specific job advertised.</li></ul><br /><ul type="disc"><li><b>Will train</b>: It's fine if you don't have direct experience. In some cases -- rare, but it happens -- companies want people without experience, so they won't have to unlearn the ways of a previous employer.</li></ul><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Senior-, junior- or entry-level?</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/entry+level/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Entry-level</a></b> jobs require the least experience and are open to candidates just out of school. You should have a few years of experience for a <b><a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/junior+level/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">junior-level</a> </b>position, and you must be highly proficient with more than five years of experience, generally, for a <b><a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/senior+level/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">senior-level</a> </b>role.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Sometimes the level is implied but not stated in the title itself. For example, "<a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/administrative+assistant/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">senior administrative assistant</a>" (senior) will require more experience than "<a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/assistant/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">administrative assistant</a>," (junior) which will require more experience than "<a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/receptionist/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">receptionist</a>" (entry level).</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Also consider the size of the company. A senior position in a large firm may require decades of experience; in a small company a few years may be adequate.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Knowledge and proficiency</b></div><ul type="disc"><li><b>Working knowledge of:</b> This means that you should be familiar with the topic, tool, technique or software, but it's not necessary that you've used them.</li></ul><br /><ul type="disc"><li><b>Proficient in: </b>You have handled certain tasks and tools in the past, but may not know the finer points. If you have a year of hands-on experience, that should be enough.</li> <li><b>Command of: </b>You are so experienced with a task, skill or software that you could teach others how it works.</li></ul><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Personal qualities</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Phrases that seem like meaningless jargon are actually ways of finding intangible personal qualities. Some examples:</div><ul type="disc"><li><b>Highly motivated:</b> They want to be sure you have passion and commitment for the job and you're not applying just for a paycheck.</li></ul><br /><ul type="disc"><li><b>Team player</b> and/or <b>good interpersonal skills:</b> They want to know if you work well with others, even if your job requires working independently. Being able to collaborate when necessary is important for most jobs.</li></ul><br /><ul type="disc"><li><b>Works well under pressure:</b> They want to make sure you won't flip out if your deadline is pushed up a day or two.</li></ul><br /><ul type="disc"><li><b>Thinks outside of the box:</b> They want you to have some original and innovative ideas. Then again, they don't want a loose cannon; teamwork almost always takes precedence over genius, no matter what the want ads say.</li></ul><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Be specific in your own résumé.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">As confusing as want ads can be for job candidates, résumés can be just as confusing for employers, according to Hassan Akmal, <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/director/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">director</a> of career services for DeVry University in Sherman Oaks, Palmdale and Oxnard, <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/california/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">California</a>. Akmal recommends working with a counselor who will help you use the terms correctly on your résumé. "You don't want to mislead a hiring manager by inflating your skills. For example, don't say you are experienced in a language when you only know a few words."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Should you apply?</b>Most career <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/counselor/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">counselors</a> recommend applying even when you don't fit all the criteria. "With so many applicants today, if a company demands a certain number of years of experience, they will find many [candidates] to choose from, but sometimes they will choose a candidate with less experience who shines in other ways," Akmal says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Jenna Gausman, a career counselor at Santa Monica College, says it's okay to apply for a position that is one step higher or one step lower than your level of experience. "You never know if the organization might just have the opportunity to bring someone up to speed if you don't have all the experience they want. Putting time into a really good cover letter as to why you are ready for the next step will help the candidate land an interview."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Larry Buhl researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for CareerBuilder.com. Follow @CareerBuilder on Twitter.</i></div></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

How to decode employment ad phrases

Larry Buhl, Special to CareerBuilder Contrary to many job seekers' fears, employment ads are more likely to be wish lists than demands. ...

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I think I'd rather be tired

I took my first doctor-prescribed sleeping pill last night. I slept horribly, worse than usual. I woke up with a severe headache at 4 a.m. It felt like my head was in a vise and someone was tightening the vise every few minutes. It was insanely painful. I felt extremely nauseous too. My husband brought me aspirin and a glass of water, but it didn't even begin to  phase the pain. <br /><br />When the headache finally eased up enough that I could get out of bed (around noon), I looked up the possible side effects of the "sleep aid" my doctor had prescribed. <br /><br />The drug is Trazodone HCL. It turns out it's not really a sleep aid, it's really an anti-depressant. Since it's a hypnotic, it's off-label use is to cause drowsiness for insomniacs. If it's used as a sleep aid, the it's only one dose a day. If used as an anti-depressant, the dosage is three times a day. Since I'm not depressed, the doctor prescribed on tablet at bedtime.<br /><br />Check out these possible side effects:<br /><br />All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Trazodone:<br /><blockquote>Blurred vision; constipation; decreased sexual desire or ability; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; <b>headache</b>; lightheadedness when sitting up or standing; muscle aches or pains; <b>nausea</b>; nervousness; stomach pain; stuffy nose; tiredness.</blockquote>Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Trazodone: <br /><blockquote>Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry, or bloody stools; bloody or dark urine; chest pain; decreased coordination; fainting; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; irregular heartbeat; new or worsening agitation, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated feeling of well-being, restlessness, trouble sleeping, or inability to sit still; prolonged, inappropriate, or painful erections; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or tiredness; shortness of breath; speech problems; suicidal thoughts or actions; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; symptoms of low blood sodium levels (eg, confusion, persistent headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, unsteadiness, sluggishness, personality changes); tremor; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual weight changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the eyes or skin.</blockquote>Are you thinking what I'm thinking? It's not worth it. I'm back to the Melatonin and Sleepytime herbal tea (I'm sipping a cup right now). My doctor has also suggested a sleep study, which I'm seriously considering. My niece has sleep apnea, and has a CPAP machine. She says it makes a huge difference in how much rested she feels. I don't like the idea of being hooked up to a machine when I sleep, but I also don't like feeling exhausted all the time.<br /><br />Exercise and Diet<br />Good news! I feel totally back in control of my eating. Thank God! I've had my eating in control for two whole days. I realize that doesn't sound like much, but it's the first two consecutive days in weeks that I kept my eating in check. I'm journaling all my food, and keeping my calorie count under 1500.<br /><br />This afternoon I went to the gym. I almost didn't go, because even though my headache was gone, it felt like it was on the verge of coming back. My eyes felt tender and almost sore from the pain earlier in the day. I thought maybe I'd feel better if I worked out. Amazingly, it worked! I did a full hour of cardio, 35 minutes on the elliptical and 25 minutes on the cross-ramp. Then 40 minutes of upper body weights. I burned 628 calories according to my heart rate monitor, in an hour and 40 minutes. Happy dance!<br /><br />The Body Media<br />I ordered my <a href="http://www.bodymedia.com/">Body Media</a> with the wrist display tonight. It should ship tomorrow and be here by Friday. It's a lot like the Body Bugg, except it also measures your sleep. It comes with a "free" 12-month subscription (I think the BodyBugg does too).<br /><br />I'm not sure how it measures sleep, but my friend at work said it really does work. She thought it sensed when you were laying down. I'm not sure it'll be accurate on my sleep (or lack of sleep).<br /><br />The best things I've ever purchased for myself were my Polar heart rate monitor and iPod. Those two items have made made a world of difference in my exercise. I'm actually on my third heart rate monitor and third iPod in four years. I think the Body Media will be another tool to help me get to my goal.<br /><br />I guess the SleepyTime and Melatonin are kicking in. I'm finally feeling tired. It's almost 10:30pm. Hopefully this will be a more restful night.

I think I'd rather be tired

I took my first doctor-prescribed sleeping pill last night. I slept horribly, worse than usual. I woke up with a severe headache at 4 a.m. I...

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What sort of things would you like to learn?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i>submitted by Deb Avery</i><br />The ICT in the classroom conference is over, and for most of us, it’s back to school. There were so many good ideas, so many interesting tools, so many things we could use in the classroom – if we had time, if we knew how to use them better, if we were able to change the plans we have already made for the term, if we could persuade the school management to allow us to use social networking .... I’m sure you have a whole bunch of barriers of your own.<br /><br />I find that my list of 50 things I learnt is well populated but I often don’t get to follow through on them because I need just a bit more motivation.<br /><br />This is something the Premium Member plan hopes to address – providing some additional Professional Development so that members can see how others have used ICTs in their classrooms, learn the “how to” of some of the topics touched on, find a kindred spirit who can give advice, encouragement and maybe even another class to collaborate with, build a Personal Learning Network and take some of the impetus of the conference forward into the classroom.<br /><br />But to make this work, we need to know what you want to learn – is it more about social networking tools, is it about collaboration, is it attending a course Schoolnet already offers, is it joining a community of practice?<br /><br />We would like to offer webinars, provide some videos and resources, organise on-line discussion groups, maybe even have a full day on-line “un-conference” – but we need to know what your needs are. So this is a request – a one-line comment saying what YOU would like to have some PD on. <br /><br />Please join in – it will be worthwhile.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3XYrs3XlWpeUjULUjZ_oOOexN94GKEW5jFImgdVAjo0nQcxSCSuvDVTuiajc05TXhyphenhyphenXLTkZwxL8tYFOuhAQk3JeUWGaNsFu2ZLaK7yDp1NXNOd-C5QAInB9WLpscmBzhpGUL1YJF9M4/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3XYrs3XlWpeUjULUjZ_oOOexN94GKEW5jFImgdVAjo0nQcxSCSuvDVTuiajc05TXhyphenhyphenXLTkZwxL8tYFOuhAQk3JeUWGaNsFu2ZLaK7yDp1NXNOd-C5QAInB9WLpscmBzhpGUL1YJF9M4/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />PS What I really wish I had been able to learn at the conference - how to create my own 1 CLICK DIGITAL MASH UP so I could find all the things that come into my computer all in one place - that's what I'd like a webinar on!</div>

survey What sort of things would you like to learn?

submitted by Deb Avery The ICT in the classroom conference is over, and for most of us, it’s back to school. There were so many good ideas,...

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My annual physical wasn't fun

Okay, so I'm not dying, at least not yet. I had my annual physical today and my doctor isn't happy with me. She asked me what happened, how did I gain so much weight since March 2010 (my last physical).<br /><br />I was 173 pounds in March 2010, and I was 199.4 on the doctor's scales today. She wanted to know why I'd gained so much weight. I didn't have an answer. I honestly don't know what happened. I told her I guess I was eating too much. <br /><br />My doctor is a tiny Asian woman, probably a size 0, really nice and very smart. She's the one that looked at my neck last year and spotted my enlarged thyroid (which resulted in an ultrasound and biopsy of my thyroid).<br /><br />Even though she's sweet, she doesn't mince words when it comes to my health. She told me this was a lot of weight to gain in one year and it was having a very serious impact on my body. My blood pressure was up to 148/88, and she put me back blood pressure medication. <br /><br />In one month I have to go back to see her again so she can see how my blood pressure is doing. She also wants me to wait one month to get all the blood work done for all the other stuff (glucose check, cholesterol and triglycerides, vitamin D and a reactive C protein test for my heart) and she wants to review everything with me.<br /><br />This is a lot more important than my concerns about how I look at this weight or the fact that none of my clothes fit. This is dead serious business. My health is at stake and frankly, I'm a little scared. What if I'm diabetic? Or what if I have a stroke or drop dead of a heart attack, or worse yet, live through a heart attack with a damaged heart? What am I doing to myself?<br /><br />This has really made me take stock of my issues with food and my weight. I guess I thought gaining weight wasn't that big of a deal. So my clothes don't fit or I "feel" fat and ugly. That stuff really doesn't matter that much. My health, that's a different story. Once it's gone, it's hard, if not impossible to get it back.<br /><br />So I'm making some changes. The most immediate is to get decent sleep. I've been failing in this area for years, short-changing myself on sleep almost every night.<br /><br />Of course, there's the eating. I need some sort of plan. I always seem to need a gimmick to get jump started. My new plan is to use the <a href="http://www.bodymedia.com/">Body Media</a>. Someone at work has been wearing one and she swears by it. I haven't ordered it yet, but plan to by this weekend.<br /><br />Last, but not least is my exercise. I've been slacking in the exercise area, going to the gym only three or four times a week, and then not really giving it 110%. I've really just been going through the motions. That has to change.<br /><br />I have a lot more that I want to write about, but I have to be off the computer in two minutes (8:45pm). New rule. Darkened room, and then lights out by 9pm.

My annual physical wasn't fun

Okay, so I'm not dying, at least not yet. I had my annual physical today and my doctor isn't happy with me. She asked me what happen...

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Update

<p>Hello friends & Happy Monday to you! So when I posted last week it was my great intention to post more often than weekly! But life with a newborn doesn’t always allow time for blogging! Speaking of newborn I thought I’d start today’s post with some sweetness! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWWe4xNm6wrJVea87PciID41lnsS2q5O6yYxizz3M9aeSE1eHUX_SYSxOU2YZx1qB5sYqlQJWm0VH3RhO1Zu6lYpWKDD33jQQrSJjCSSIxvmMVLCIwvdIMBTZ4pRWKOGGnm7bJKP8QncP/s1600-h/DSC00288%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00288" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSkkaqkXmzKOptcs5lPuurgiOjbk8Xu5OABnxLLDjyoraxrzkjwcbccdPp17K1nn6m0B0dqCP2WUztVsLKbMHK35BTC84uj_AigoFH7DddvglJ0gRs-g65Hwo1poICcdVlZiRAe7rItEd/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; float: none; background-image: none; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC00288" width="404"></a></p> <p>Ok now back to the purpose of my post, <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2011/07/post-baby-plan.html">post baby plan</a> update! So my first week being cautious about my eats went fairly well. I wouldn’t say I was 100% on track, but baby steps here people! Eventually I hope to get back to photographing my food. I know I make better choices when I have to take a picture before I eat. </p> <p>I got in at least a 30 minute walk 4/7 days last week. I was hoping to do better, but that heat really didn’t help! We started our week out good this week though! By 8 am this morning I had my tennis shoes on, Adelyn strapped in her seat, and we were out the door for a walk! We started early to try to beat this crazy heat. I was dripping when we got back after 30 minutes. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3EWF1BpwMRA4yHgEnTyVpi-Z95er3EXo6l5_FI7zov2wIsozxwe-2aBUESYI0b_sEwxZuR8o6DDXHmZXD9ZHnjzDoxIHE0S2rl7UPZHy5zoATZpJYH64dy-QM47WM8zPFYRpxEUWM70B/s1600-h/DSC00306%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00306" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSb5l2yAhSjGClEsb5Kg_WPIZ3D1q8pTLLuz5ThTlGme2KaZGqs92bFn73olBkHOnDaymX1KLf3QJcQLHy-OL1SecjfnOivCEYNcNEtzYAqxAhJC8Q3G4HZVDildW96whuiJ3tn4FTZkb/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; float: none; background-image: none; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC00306" width="404"></a></p> <p>I stepped on the scale this weekend and……….stayed the same this week. <img alt="Sad smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGyh66AP69UXaqrnJBTusm-IXFAeF8jLDaj9ll6mkBVnb0aYS1iHCgMCBfnPkzy4T27RfIgfHq5-fSHwhsBiTQ0lxrsM55GH0JVJy6JpOoJFwCzuRu2ouOIExBAPnizHUGK_GSK_9cdl9/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none"> At first I was really bummed, but then I came back to reality. I didn’t put all these pounds overnight and I know they aren’t going to come off like that! I was just quite spoiled those first 3 weeks, losing 35 lbs! So my plan is to continue watching my eats and getting in lots of fruits & veggies. And also trying to get in some walks (weather permitting!). </p> <p>Thanks for your continued support on this journey! Hope everyone has a great week!</p>

Update

Hello friends & Happy Monday to you! So when I posted last week it was my great intention to post more often than weekly! But life with ...

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Reflections on the ICT in the Classroom Conference

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i>Submitted by Deb Avery</i><br />Sitting in a conference in Botswana this week, I can’t help reflecting on the ICT in the Classroom Conference last week.<br />The conference I am at is packed with huge numbers of workshops, papers and colloquia. Two or three presentations take place one after the other in the same venues – ½ hour or an hour at a time. Nothing is running on time – so people walk in and out all the time. Many of the presentations are being read straight from Academic papers. There is 5 minutes for questioning at the end of each presentation – but no real interaction. And some of the topics are very academic.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtflx56alzEU9DobWoH0VOQkmbTddLP6c9wpzxneBMn1K5vaUbpNSBUQbWYTb3INmfLn23qoEkzUsbHWXfgBseF5r_-dwGkwKZ_L5Uzz48kGPBclPUEQ1L9sebbBbvonJJJKAD1YBTGg/s1600/Gala+dinner+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtflx56alzEU9DobWoH0VOQkmbTddLP6c9wpzxneBMn1K5vaUbpNSBUQbWYTb3INmfLn23qoEkzUsbHWXfgBseF5r_-dwGkwKZ_L5Uzz48kGPBclPUEQ1L9sebbBbvonJJJKAD1YBTGg/s200/Gala+dinner+056.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />I’ve met some great people – people who really know what they are talking about, people who have a great heart for reading, people who really want to make a difference to education in Africa.<br />But, like the Botswana landscape, this conference feels dry. I miss the Twitter backchannel – even the critical comments from some of the conference delegates. I miss the chance to really get my teeth into some new and different tools and methods. I miss the interactivity of most of the presentations – the chance to try and talk and wrestle and learn from colleagues.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfE0t8F2Z6bS-MY9zBS2270eSPe-0eQtE_SkKqw081C80dSB_cV0lueTbxJHtp1RXdwel7Kqm2oumABkoqYP46vT4UAyrFSCc5_nTKvZRVKjbqibeuuVGXMxKI0g_GPIofdDDRkQ8Ul1k/s1600/Gala+Dinner+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfE0t8F2Z6bS-MY9zBS2270eSPe-0eQtE_SkKqw081C80dSB_cV0lueTbxJHtp1RXdwel7Kqm2oumABkoqYP46vT4UAyrFSCc5_nTKvZRVKjbqibeuuVGXMxKI0g_GPIofdDDRkQ8Ul1k/s200/Gala+Dinner+037.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />I also miss the amazing networking – meeting people who I have only known on facebook or twitter, introducing people who have something to offer one another, just chatting and laughing and dancing – brainstorming new ideas, seeing new ways of doing old tasks, being offered new resources freely and sharing my own ideas even when they seem small and insignificant.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQ8diSGAfkhdf7L2LEwbHKseFhOTphNAy-WZlXoOApaxLS0NrHThkEYTOBoL3xIVW8XVr2VzXdA4EywAJX73pvRVznKlLRq5nMEJCw8MGT5oRNmDj-NntE0qBke4BBiDeHxiZ-s9Vp7Y/s1600/Conference+134.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQ8diSGAfkhdf7L2LEwbHKseFhOTphNAy-WZlXoOApaxLS0NrHThkEYTOBoL3xIVW8XVr2VzXdA4EywAJX73pvRVznKlLRq5nMEJCw8MGT5oRNmDj-NntE0qBke4BBiDeHxiZ-s9Vp7Y/s200/Conference+134.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwtCAVXKV4n55U41XWvmWZrdhXRatEpwtIN9qLSbDfyXKU_XEJPjcFBD_8d_GdRcqKQiJSD3cqx4WjlqBqk3Wv6Svbav18B9_fnSnE4H9zvMsSiFHQXaISYXRqk-v6kLMKHjHyrDaKGw/s1600/Conference+2011+222.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwtCAVXKV4n55U41XWvmWZrdhXRatEpwtIN9qLSbDfyXKU_XEJPjcFBD_8d_GdRcqKQiJSD3cqx4WjlqBqk3Wv6Svbav18B9_fnSnE4H9zvMsSiFHQXaISYXRqk-v6kLMKHjHyrDaKGw/s200/Conference+2011+222.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo4law5U7YZpBu9QuWV0CK-nOGYG51wJkJ5bpM3R_CttvyJTYOU1jWx1H31ZcTVno2JGd4nh0OFTEue-avu2PGDRQ2hJIOtPfJB4-lij6dgAHH-9PQMvEhGQWiIkyZAQpiZphu5vfwUk/s1600/Gala+Dinner+036.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo4law5U7YZpBu9QuWV0CK-nOGYG51wJkJ5bpM3R_CttvyJTYOU1jWx1H31ZcTVno2JGd4nh0OFTEue-avu2PGDRQ2hJIOtPfJB4-lij6dgAHH-9PQMvEhGQWiIkyZAQpiZphu5vfwUk/s200/Gala+Dinner+036.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br />What significant things came out for me from the conference?<br />• The power of social networking in the hands of responsible people can be hugely beneficial – being a twitterer doesn’t mean you have to be a twit. Twitter is not just gossip or narcissistic self reflection – it’s a way to keep all your knowledge in one place and connected.<br />• There are a lot of new tools out there – tools that aren’t all about bells and whistles, but are there to make us more productive and give our learners a chance to think a bit more deeply. Some of them are about new ways of doing old things more effectively. <br />• Sharing is what it’s all about. The generosity of people at the conference – from the keynote presenters to the technicians in the labs - is what makes being a teacher so worthwhile. No one ever needs to struggle on alone, because there is always someone to share with, someone’s ideas to build on and someone’s help readily available.<br />• The “T” in ICT is really not “Technology” but “Thinking.” All the things I learnt were about building deeper thinking – for learners, but also for ourselves. Getting hung up on pedagogy and standards is less important than guiding our learners to be critical and creative thinkers and problem solvers. And there’s a lot that we as teachers can learn about thinking, too.<br />• Once every two years is not enough. We need to be engaging in “un-conferences” on a regular basis – discussing, meeting (on line or face to face), challenging, looking for new ways, thinking deeply, collaborating, sharing. And the joy of Web 2.0 tools is that we can do it for the cost of our bandwidth.<br />So let’s join up as Premium Members and reflect on what we learnt at the Conference – just add a comment to this post – and make sure we keep on developing.<br />This is not a dry or dusty academic place to be – it’s vibrant and growing. Let’s make it blossom.</div>

conferences Reflections on the ICT in the Classroom Conference

Submitted by Deb Avery Sitting in a conference in Botswana this week, I can’t help reflecting on the ICT in the Classroom Conference last we...

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The elephant in the interview room: Are you being passed over because of age?

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></i></b></span><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, helvetica;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="tblContent"><tbody><tr id="trContent"><td align="center" class="cb_style tcContent" id="tcContent" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><div class="cbArticleWrapper" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; width: 750px;"><div class="cbArticleContentWrapper" style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 15px; width: 750px;"><div class="cbArticleRight" style="width: 560px;"><div class="RXart" style="padding-right: 20px;"><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="margin-top: -30px;"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Beth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBuilder</span></b><br /><br /><div class="cbmsnArticleImage"><img alt="" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/lh/ar5l0b76g736my59d1lh.gif?time=6/7/2011%2011:46:29%20am" /></div></div><br /><div class="ArticleContent"><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"I can see the look in people's eyes when they first greet me," says Bill Wood, a 64-year-old from<a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/Minnesota/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Minneapolis, Minn., </a>who is looking for a job in information technology. "It seems to say, 'This guy is going to retire soon; we don't want a short-term permanent employee.'"</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Cyndi Pauwels, a <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/writer/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">writer</a> in her 50s from Yellow Springs, <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/ohio/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Ohio</a>, has had similar experiences. "I was told (second-hand, off-the-record) by a headhunter, 'We don't hire older workers.' I've read that the longer I'm unemployed, the less likely my chances are of finding anything, and I'm beginning to believe it."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The current recession has been particularly hard on older job candidates. In March 2011, the duration of unemployment for all seekers averaged 39 weeks. But in April, the average length of unemployment for people over 55 surpassed the year mark (53.6 weeks), according to an AARP analysis of Labor Department data. And while age discrimination is illegal, that certainly doesn't mean it isn't happening. Complaints filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have increased 35 percent over the last three government fiscal years compared with the average of the three years prior.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">What is behind the longer length of unemployment? Lisa Quast, author of "Your Career, Your Way!" and president of Career Woman Inc. in <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/washington/seattle/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Seattle, Wash</a>., notes the following:</div><ul type="disc"><li>Corporate downsizing during the recession eliminated many of the middle-management positions previously held by older workers.</li> <li>There are more <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/entry+level/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">entry-level</a> positions available, and these are the positions into which young people are being hired. Higher-level positions are less numerous and harder to obtain, so it can take longer for older workers to find an equivalent position to what they previously held.</li> <li>Older workers are further up the career and salary ladder. Many do not want to take a position beneath their skill level, so they hold out on accepting lower-level positions, thus increasing the duration it takes to find a position.</li></ul><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Yet even when older workers are willing to settle for less, they often get passed over. "I have dropped my salary expectations to allow me to compete with younger candidates," Wood says. "The philosophy of industry in the past was to bring in 'young guns' that have fresh ideas and ways of doing things. Unfortunately for people in a similar position as me, companies are not changing that attitude and are missing out on a golden opportunity to improve the business by utilizing experience."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Older workers often are perceived as outdated or stuck in their ways. Such stereotypes can be hard to shatter, but not impossible. "Show some enthusiasm. Discuss how you have been innovative and are a life-long learner," says Robin Ryan, author of "Over 40 & You're Hired!" "Demonstrate on a résumé and in interviews the results you have achieved in the last few years. Show recent training (especially your technical prowess) and innovations made on the job, such as creating something new, making process/system improvements or saving past employers money." Ryan also notes that many mature workers appear "weather-worn and tired out" and suggests looking as vibrant as possible with a new hairstyle and a contemporary, well-fitting suit.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">While being lively is one thing, trying to hide your age can backfire. "In some cases, I see older workers removing the dates of their college degree(s) or their earliest jobs from their résumé in order to appear younger," Quast says. "However, savvy hiring managers are able to see the candidates in person and guesstimate age -- and may then be forced to ask candidates to explain holes in their résumé, leading to questions of integrity and additional embarrassment."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Focusing on what you can offer a company (wisdom and experience) rather than what you can't (youth) oftentimes sets the tone. "If you sense the hiring manager is worried about your age, then take the first step to put him at ease by explaining how you believe your knowledge, skills and experience would benefit him and the position," Quast says. "If you choose to ask about his concerns, do so in a highly professional manner, such as, 'Based on my education, skills and experience, are there any concerns you have that I am not qualified for this position?' The goal is to get the hiring manager to show his hand without you having to bring up the topic of age."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Finally, resist making blanket assumptions that companies only value youth. "The real-life experience of older workers can be of huge benefit in the business world, especially for start-up companies with a lot of young workers," Quast says. "If you are truly worried about your age being a negative factor, seek out companies who could benefit from your expertise and sell them on yourself and your skills!"</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Beth Braccio Hering researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for CareerBuilder. Follow @Careerbuilder on Twitter.</i></div></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

The elephant in the interview room: Are you being passed over because of age?

Beth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBuilder "I can see the look in people's eyes when they first greet me," says Bill Wood, ...

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GOODBYE OLD CONTINENT Part 2

<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">NON EXISTING MULTICULTURAL AWARENESS</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lack of multicultural awareness and the unwillingness of center right politicians to promote immigration cause a negative chain reaction which in the long run will have devastating consequences for Europe as an entity.   </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In this day and age to isolate one from multicultural influences is something no county can afford, nevertheless Europe is doing exactly that, thanks to the growing ultra conservative political movements that currently are sweeping across Europe. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The signs are not looking promising. Ultra nationalistic and conservative politics foster hate and limit visionary thinking.  Right governments and political movements use the aging generation’s fear of foreign “invasions” in their live, in order to achieve their objectives, which are to isolate themselves and their countries. Increasing hostility towards immigrants and foreign visitors in Europe is on the increase. Multicultural awareness among the young and old generation in Central Europe is almost none existent.  Prejudice is ever present.  German speaking countries in Europe generally look down upon Mediterranean people, considering them as lazy and corrupt and thus regard themselves superior. Southern European countries on the other hand look at the northern Europe as being arrogant who lack empathy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">If common people of the European Union lack multicultural awareness, one cannot expect politicians in Brussels to have a broader vision. Europe’s diversity in cultures is also its subsequent downfall as a continent. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>RIGHT VERSUS LEFT </b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">(edited version)</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where as in South America, which most of the industrial world severely underestimates, there is a political center left move and growing economy, Europe moves in the opposite direction. Most of Central Europe now has center right governments and a stagnating economic growth rate. The right plays with the fear of the common man regarding immigration and the subsequent loss of national identity jobs etc. The European left on the other hand promotes ideas and ideologies that are out of context in the current political and economic situation. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">With a dangerous shift to the right, Europe also faces the dilemma on disintegration versus integration of immigrants. Foreigners are simply not welcome and more. Countries such as Austria implemented one of the harshest immigration policies in Europe, thus exposing itself to the dilemma of loosing qualified and experienced workforce needed to fill the void in certain industry sectors. In recent past Germany was short of 10 000 engineers but refused to facilitate immigration policies in order to permit Asian workforce to fill the void.  </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

GOODBYE OLD CONTINENT Part 2

NON EXISTING MULTICULTURAL AWARENESS   Lack of multicultural awareness and the unwillingness of center right politicians to promote immigra...

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I'm Famous!

<a href="http://www.priorfatgirl.com/2011/07/sweat-is-beautiful.html">I was recently featured on The PriorFatGirl's website</a>!  Jen, PFG creator, asked her readers to send in pictures of themselves covered in sweat for her "Sweat is Beautiful" campaign.  Well, It's not really a <i>campaign </i>- I cannot think of the word to use... but she wants to promote the beauty of sweating.... working out.... and the awesomeness associated with that... <br /><br />Joel and I are somewhere in the middle... Of course I have white on and you cannot see a single bead of sweat on me, but trust me, my shirt was soaked.  Joel, however, had on navy, and his shirt was also soaked, but again, the light was too bright, and the pic was with my Blackberry. <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;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95Z3HmMsYg_CG8WUChE4MYdr7N3y5kfYTNx77VbSKkRu88HmJ3NTvE4mGaXEcTp_23O6FpmCV75n2ASdILS9zgdobkzP-hT1dY7Zxyd3_TFIm9v_5tk40cMuxy4wIUGZb1N9d4d_2LWQ/s1600/PFG.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.priorfatgirl.com/">Courtesy of PriorFatGirl</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I felt so honored to be featured on the PFG website.  If you're not already reading the PFG blog - get over there lickity split and check those ladies OUT!  There are 4 awesome women (Jen, the CEO ~ haha; and her posse: Elle, Lindsey and Ali), all at different points in their weight loss journeys, who give unique perspectives on the challenges and glories of losing weight.  <br /><br />If you're reading this on Friday.... then I'm most likely en route to Savannah!  There will be many-a-post about it soon!

Random Weight Loss Thoughts I'm Famous!

I was recently featured on The PriorFatGirl's website !  Jen, PFG creator, asked her readers to send in pictures of themselves covered i...

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GOODBYE OLD CONTINENT Part 1

<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>EUROPE HAS REACHED ITS ZENITH</b> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Europe, the once striving continent everyone admired for its cultural heritage, economic prosperity, high living standards and social welfare system, seems to have reached its zenith and now faces the abyss, if it refuses to tackle some of the core problems that engulf the continent. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1.            DECLINING AND AGING POPULATION </b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrcBHeB7NMaHHSfKp4b6AYRt7Mlqk5BlwyIlR8uafZGFRHzlsO2QNIGZ2p_ZppCPMyyINwIrQ6ocIq81CeZ8dy_TmO5K8ryqJE7GdQv5Jssf28V8S63e8ugBt-l6Qdpdr90LjiJUHBzNG/s1600/Fotolia_5382620_XS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrcBHeB7NMaHHSfKp4b6AYRt7Mlqk5BlwyIlR8uafZGFRHzlsO2QNIGZ2p_ZppCPMyyINwIrQ6ocIq81CeZ8dy_TmO5K8ryqJE7GdQv5Jssf28V8S63e8ugBt-l6Qdpdr90LjiJUHBzNG/s200/Fotolia_5382620_XS.jpg" width="200" /></a>Most Central European countries are confronted with a declining population due to low birthrates and resisting migration. Despite this fact and the consequences of current immigration policies looming over the continent, populist governments refuse to promote immigration for fear of losing votes from the older generations who are the majority voters in the industrial world and who fear immigration most. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This old generation is weary of changes and feels threatened by migration and foreign influence.  There is a growing hostility to anything foreign in Europe. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">If Europe continues with this policy, countries such as Austria and Germany will become a large “old people’s home” for the poor. Without immigration Europe will not be able to sustain its social welfare state and economic growth will plunge even deeper.  Growth will eventually halt and subsequently government revenues will stagnate, just when governments need them most, thus jeopardizing exactly these conditions, Europeans cherish most: social security, welfare system, health systems  as well as a high living standard.  </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2.            RIGHT VERSUS LEFT</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Where as in South America, which most of the industrial world severely underestimates, there is a political center left move and growing economy, Europe moves in the opposite direction. Most of Central Europe no has center right governments and a stagnating economic growth rate. The right plays with the fear of the common man regarding immigration and the subsequent loss of national identity etc. The left on the other hand promote ideas and ideologies that are out of context in the current political and economic situation. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b> Still to come: </b></div><ul><li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">DISINTEGRATION VERSUS INTEGRATION</b></li></ul><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">LOOMING GENERATION CONFLICT - OLD VERSUS YOUNG</b></li></ul><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PENSION SYSTEM</b></li></ul><ul><li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">EUROPE’S DECLINING EDUCATION STANDARD AND LACK OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT  </b></li></ul><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

GOODBYE OLD CONTINENT Part 1

EUROPE HAS REACHED ITS ZENITH   Europe, the once striving continent everyone admired for its cultural heritage, economic prosperity, high li...

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Sleepy Thursday.... and Vacay!

I'm feeling very lethargic and stressed today.  Tomorrow morning, Joel and I leave for Savannah, GA for the next 7 days.  I have not been getting good sleep all week, struggling to fall asleep right away, as I normally do, and instead laying there tossing and turning for an hour or more.  It has caught up to me today, finally.  My bags are not packed, but a list is made.  I just need to DO it.  I decided to leave work at noon today, work from home the rest of the day, so I can get some stuff done while being at home.  This will help relieve the stress factor for sure.<br /><br />Back to weight loss crap :)<br /><br />Last night was to be my second WWM, but the leader was not able to make it due to the severe storms we had roll through the metro area, and subsequent traffic backups.  Welcome to DC folks, the city that cannot handle any kind of weather what so ever (including sunshine - sometimes that can prove to be blinding when trying to drive on the highways in the morning/afternoon)!  Instead, I just weighed in and left.  I did have a great loss since last week, but as I said yesterday, I'm only going by my Friday weigh in's officially.        <br /><br />Shall we go back to more important things?<br /><br />I've never been to Savannah, but have always wanted to go.  Why?  Well, before there was the "butter lady",<br />I just liked how the town rolled off my tongue - "Savannahhhh" - sounds so pretty and relaxing and lovely.  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.frontdoor.com/FDOOR/0-City-Pages/Savannah/Skyline_Savannah_Area_CVB_54893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://images.frontdoor.com/FDOOR/0-City-Pages/Savannah/Skyline_Savannah_Area_CVB_54893.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Then I fell in love with Paula Deen, the butter lady.  Her restaurant and store are high on my priority list of places to visit when we arrive.<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="http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2010/news/100628/paula-deen-240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2010/news/100628/paula-deen-240.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's so beautiful - I hope I look that good when I'm her age!</td></tr></tbody></table>I just picture Savannah as being the perfect town - lots of flowers, pretty tree-lined streets, right on the water, NICE people, just the right amount of people - not so overly populated like DC, pretty plantation-style homes with perfect lawns, cutsie shops.. etc.  Everything I want in the town of my dreams!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.madcoparanormal.com/Savannah_GA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.madcoparanormal.com/Savannah_GA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.visitsoutherncomfort.com/images/dHOUMAS%20house%20Plantation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://www.visitsoutherncomfort.com/images/dHOUMAS%20house%20Plantation.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Have you been there before?

Miscellaneous Weight Watchers Sleepy Thursday.... and Vacay!

I'm feeling very lethargic and stressed today.  Tomorrow morning, Joel and I leave for Savannah, GA for the next 7 days.  I have not bee...

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Why do employers do credit and background checks?

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></i></b></span><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, helvetica;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="tblContent"><tbody><tr id="trContent"><td align="center" class="cb_style tcContent" id="tcContent" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><div class="cbArticleWrapper" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; width: 750px;"><div class="cbArticleContentWrapper" style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 15px; width: 750px;"><div class="cbArticleRight" style="width: 560px;"><div class="RXart" style="padding-right: 20px;"><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="margin-top: -30px;"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Beth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBuilder</span></b><br /><br /><div class="cbmsnArticleImage"><img alt="" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/sw/ar5l19p6g9qyykfsnjsw.gif?time=6/7/2011%2011:17:32%20am" /></div></div><br /><div class="ArticleContent"><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If you want to work for the senior homecare organization Visiting Angels in <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/Michigan/Ann+Arbor/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Ann Arbor, Mich</a>., be prepared for a thorough background check. "I wouldn't even consider hiring an employee without one," says owner and director Angil Tarach-Ritchey. "Employees not only need to be trusted by the employer, they are a reflection of our business. The check brings peace of mind and less risk for future problems, and I use it as an educational and marketing tool so the elderly, their families and our referral sources know that we value their safety."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Tarach-Ritchey is not alone. A variety of employers are turning to background checks as a way of ensuring applicant suitability. And while certainly not a new phenomenon, it is one that is on the rise.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"The trend toward greater use of background checks could be driven by several factors, including technological advances that make the screening process easier, faster and more economical," says Mary Massad, <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/vice+president/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">vice president </a>of talent acquisition and retention strategies for Insperity Recruiting Services in <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/Texas/Houston/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Houston, Texas</a>. "Also, there is greater awareness by employers that candidates may not always be completely honest about their background and employment histories."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">According to Massad, a complete background check often includes the following:</div><ul><li>Review of work history. The applicant will typically be asked to provide first and last paystubs to confirm length of employment and salaries at previous jobs.<b></b></li> <li>Verification of Social Security information. Federal databases will help verify that a candidate is providing accurate information and has a legal right to work in the United States.<b></b></li> <li>Criminal background check. Local criminal records, as well as those in jurisdictions where the applicant has lived during the past seven years, will reveal information about an applicant's criminal background.<b></b></li> <li>Confirmation of education. Schools or universities listed on the applicant's résumé will be contacted to verify the applicant's attendance, degree and graduation year.<b></b></li> <li>Review of driving record. Employers typically obtain motor vehicle records on candidates whenever a job requires driving, such as deliveries or sales calls.<b></b></li></ul><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Increasingly, employers also are performing credit checks. According to a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, 47 percent of companies run credit checks before hiring for select positions, and 13 percent do so for all positions. While searches are most common for applicants who will have financial responsibility (handling cash, <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/banking/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">banking</a>, <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/accounting/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">accounting</a>, <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/technology/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">technology</a>), checks are becoming more commonplace for those seeking <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/senior+executive/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">senior executive</a> positions and for anyone who has access to highly confidential employee information, such as salaries, benefits and medical records.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">So what should an applicant do when confronted with an employer who wants to run a check? Don't lie, and know ahead of time what the hirer will find.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"As far as preparing for an employer running a background check, there is very little the applicant can do. He cannot influence the outcome, so our advice is to be totally honest and up front about any criminal past and be able to articulate a reasonable story about either how it happened or what has transpired since that makes the applicant a good risk," says Dan Chaney, director of human resource advisory services at Employers Resource Association, a nonprofit serving small and medium businesses in <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/ohio/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Ohio</a>, <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/Kentucky/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Kentucky </a>and <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/indiana/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Indiana</a>. As for a credit check, he suggests job seekers obtain a free credit report and be prepared to explain the results if necessary.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Guidance policies from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission deter companies from discriminatory practices. Results from a criminal background check must be approached with fairness, taking into account such factors as the nature of the offense, the age of the offense and the relationship of the offense to the job. An SHRM poll reveals that the majority of employers comply with EEOC expectations.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Thus, job seekers subjected to checks should not feel that a company is attempting to dig up embarrassing dirt. Most employers are just trying to run a good business, and verifying a new employee's background can be in the organization's best interest. As Massad notes, "Few businesses boast perfect records on hiring decisions. Mistakes, such as blindly trusting candidates to provide honest information on their résumés or during interviews, can have long-term repercussions for employers that may include work disruption, lost revenue, low employee morale, litigation or even damage to a company's reputation. Background checks have become an essential hiring tool that can help protect a company."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Beth Braccio Hering researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for CareerBuilder. Follow @Careerbuilder on Twitter.</i></div></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

Why do employers do credit and background checks?

Beth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBuilder If you want to work for the senior homecare organization Visiting Angels in  Ann Arbor, Mich ....

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How did I let this happen!? 197.0

The post below "Happy to be home" was suppose to have been published last night but I guess I forgot to hit the publish button.<br /><br />Yesterday when I weighed in first thing in the morning I was 196.2. This morning I was 197! What the heck is happening?! I thought I ate carefully yesterday, but I didn't write down anything. I guess I ate more than I thought. I slept horribly last night, tossing and turning, waking up several times. <br /><br />Seriously, I really can't believe I let this happen to myself. I'm almost up to 200 pounds. I feel awful, mentally and physically.<br /><br />I went to the gym this morning, 30 minutes elliptical (thought I was going to die!), and 40 minutes weights. Looking at myself in the gym mirrors was pretty horrifying. I kept asking myself over and over, why did you do this to yourself? My face looks distorted, and my body looks like I'm wearing a fat suit.<br /><br />There's really not much to say about the situation I got myself into with my weight. I'm going to have to work really hard to get it off again. It's sort of like my worst nightmare is coming true. Now I'm awake and I'm living the nightmare of obesity, again.<br /><br />My plan today is to document every bite I eat. A very boring task, but it's the only thing that works for me.  <br /><br />I'm off to work now, as soon as I find something to wear. Finding something that fits is going to be challenging. The size 16's in my closet are probably going to be really tight. Letting this happen to myself was probably the most unkind thing I could do. If I didn't know better, I would think that maybe I hate myself. Why else would I chose to make myself so miserable?

How did I let this happen!? 197.0

The post below "Happy to be home" was suppose to have been published last night but I guess I forgot to hit the publish button. Ye...

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Disaster Averted!

I've been meaning to do a review of this cool little device I purchased a little over a month ago called the <a href="http://mytrak.com/">MyTrak</a>. Well, perhaps because of this neglectful attempt of a review, the <a href="http://mytrak.com/">MyTrak</a> decided to take a hike from my hip!<br /><br />As I was standing in the Metro station yesterday waiting for the train, I touched my hand to my hip - a customary practice of mine since wearing the <a href="http://mytrak.com/">MyTrak </a>- I'm constantly checking it to see if I've achieved "green" for the day (more on this in another post). My heart dropped when I realized it was gone.... Shoot! This little baby cost me over $150 (by the time you buy it and the membership - it's a pricey investment). Honestly, I figured I was screwed and I immediately accepted that the <a href="http://mytrak.com/">MyTrak</a> was gone - what is the sense in worrying about it? Yes, it cost me a pretty chunk of change, but this strange calm came over me. Normally my blood would immediately start boiling over and the "Pritt" would come out (a play on my last name - i.e. the term we use when my father gets upset!) Still, it could be ANYWHERE - panicking and letting this ruin my day was not going to help. Also, I didn't feel like leaving the station to go retrace my steps - I just accepted that it was gone. I'd figure out how I was going to move on from it later.<br /><br />As I boarded the train, I began thinking about when I last remembered having it. I knew I had it around 2 PM yesterday, but I had been all over the office between 2 PM and 4 PM by the time I left for home. I figured I'd just let it go and look for it in the office Wednesday morning when I got in. Then, I quickly remembered that the cleaning crew comes in at night, and I didn't want it getting taken or thrown out by one of them. I immediately called and texted 3 of my coworkers to check the area around my desk and our conference room. Low and behold my friend Sarah found it! THANK YOU JESUS! I will never neglect you again my little, pink computer on my hip!<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="http://www.seo.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Thankful-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://www.seo.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Thankful-.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.seo.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Thankful-.jpg">Courtesy</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Disaster averted, and the little lady is back with me today, snug against my hip once again. Phew! I need to get insurance on this thing - is that even possible?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfNXrUov7vdO-rc1oRoqDUo0oZj6oCowlFMHTnueuwB6goCwx3SSCQ8zdceJvQ4YTst2py-xdnrSGutsPmfVpfPx-HMzdX8Bj8jpZkSJHsmCr-7jHiQXsky_-wk-6iZa8Ta3ZFK6oPb4/s1600/mytrak.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfNXrUov7vdO-rc1oRoqDUo0oZj6oCowlFMHTnueuwB6goCwx3SSCQ8zdceJvQ4YTst2py-xdnrSGutsPmfVpfPx-HMzdX8Bj8jpZkSJHsmCr-7jHiQXsky_-wk-6iZa8Ta3ZFK6oPb4/s320/mytrak.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Today is my second weigh in <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/07/living-life-making-friends.html">since going back to Weight Watchers meeting</a>s. I don't like weigh in's with clothes on... and at the END of the day, instead of the beginning! But I can't exactly strip down to my birthday suit for the meetings ;)... clothes it is!<br /><br />While I'm still considering Friday's to be my official weigh in day (with Joel and on our home scale), I like the idea of having the WWM in the middle of the week to help keep me accountable. It's like a little pick-me-up to keep me on track until Friday. I am definitely looking forward to another fulfilling meeting tonight.<br /><br /><i>As a side note, I'm still continuing my cooking challenge at a rapid pace - I've been cooking and baking through 2 of my cookbooks like a crazy woman. And while this blog is for me to work through my weight loss issues, the recipes I post are for the audience in case you want to try them out on your own. Are you even interested in seeing the recipes I make, or should I just post pics and not the recipes? Do you even care about the food at all? Let me know your thoughts - I enjoy constructive criticism! </i>

Miscellaneous Random Weight Loss Thoughts Weight Watchers Disaster Averted!

I've been meaning to do a review of this cool little device I purchased a little over a month ago called the MyTrak . Well, perhaps bec...

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Happy to be home! Not happy to be 196.2.

Vacation? Not really. <br />I'm back from vacation in Alaska. Actually, I'm not sure I'd call it a vacation. It was more visiting family, something I wouldn't recommend doing for twelve days without a break.<br /><br />I love my sister and we get along great. We can talk for hours about everything and about nothing. It's the rest of the family that was kind of driving me a bit nuts after a while. My three nieces and their husbands and children, and their children's children.<br /><br />My 21-year old great niece has a three-year old. I love and adore both of them, especially the three-year old. The three-year old, Layla, decided to make me her best friend. I know this because she told me, "Aunt Diana, I've decided I want you to be my best friend." Layla speaks in complete sentences with an amazing vocabulary, and I could understand every word she said (she turned three two months ago). Even though she was a lot of fun, and I was amazed at her intelligence (you can't imagine how many times I said "is she really only three?!), she wore me out!<br /><br /><br />One day Layla told her grandmother (my niece) the following: "Grandma, you are fat, fat, fat!". Of course everyone attacked Layla and told her that was very rude. She said she was sorry. I didn't hear about this incident until later in the day when my niece told me about it and how much it hurt her feelings. Layla was sitting on my lap. Layla said to me, "But I said I was sorry!" I told her that when you say something mean to someone, even though you tell them you're sorry, it still hurts the person. Calling someone fat isn't nice, and it hurts the person. You don't want to hurt people, do you? She said no. Then I looked at her and said I know you're only three, but I know you understand me. She looked me in the eye, and said, "Yes, Aunt Diana, I understand you. I'm sorry, and I won't do it again". She really is only three, but not too young to learn that words hurt.<br /><br />It was constant motion and constant conversation for twelve days. As a result, I'm exhausted. It was fun, but it was also stressful at times. Family dynamics can be complicated. I love them all, but I'm very happy to be home, 1500 miles away from them.  <br /><br />About the weight...196.2<br />You read the number right, it's not a typo - I weighed 196.2 this morning. Because of all the kids around at my sister's house, there was a lot of kid-friendly food. Cookies, candy, ice cream. All the things I love. A cookie for Layla, a cookie for me. Ice cream for Layla, ice cream for me. A few pieces of candy for Layla, a few for me. She was my eating buddy. She was also a ball of energy, constantly in motion, and tiny. I was a couch potato except for the three days I managed to go to the gym.<br /><br />This recent weight gain is depressing and it hurts. My body is achy and I feel like a big, fat cow. Please don't leave a comment that it's okay and that I'm not fat and shouldn't be so hard on myself. I am huge, and I need to be hard on myself. <br /><br />Today is day one of being back on track. I know the drill. Exercise and reduced food intake and of course, no sweets. It's hard to get back on track. Once I start gaining weight, I can't seem to stop eating. It's a vicious cycle. On the other hand, I know it's not impossible. I've done it before, I can do it again.<br /><br />One day at a time, right?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">For some reason, I didn't take very many pictures this trip. I just wasn't in the  mood. I can't publish this and not post a picture of Layla. She's the little one in the picture below. You can see why I fell in love with her. The others are her mom, the gorgeous 21-year old Joanna, and one of my great nephews, Robert (he's nine and every picture I have of him has his eye's closed) and another great niece (from New Jersey), Cassie, she's 10. And if you're wondering, Layla is named after the Eric Clapton song, Layla.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_iI1jFTKFTJ40u9S0hIAJJDZ121VqUWfDSJYAhVUdrcBYtLJIl2CgLtWNffgwurBcGVPO-tgGKo-Q5dpBps05cIu0Yn7GjyPug2ALYtD-rb-GDH5vcJ4ir8TYdhAIw_71vxMuTOEpcDg/s1600/family.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_iI1jFTKFTJ40u9S0hIAJJDZ121VqUWfDSJYAhVUdrcBYtLJIl2CgLtWNffgwurBcGVPO-tgGKo-Q5dpBps05cIu0Yn7GjyPug2ALYtD-rb-GDH5vcJ4ir8TYdhAIw_71vxMuTOEpcDg/s400/family.png" width="347" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> A post about Alaska isn't complete without a picture of a moose. This was taken from the living room window at my sister's house. One of my niece's husbands and I spent an afternoon after this picture was taken cutting brush and branches out of trees so you could see the river better (and the moose). Hard work! I think I saw at least ten moose while I was there. I sort of lost count, but there were a lot of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_wIG1fcFQErChFeoB_Rh_SPBhYHjyqTLH-K1OK11D6hS_nrZa8fE8U4jczwdHDIl8R-lgF3-XCwqk2K4BcVdMXEY6FkDXHUjalzjcHe5MIaX3k2oX4Lfy-4u0XftGmdZr_EMk87xnK8b/s1600/Moose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_wIG1fcFQErChFeoB_Rh_SPBhYHjyqTLH-K1OK11D6hS_nrZa8fE8U4jczwdHDIl8R-lgF3-XCwqk2K4BcVdMXEY6FkDXHUjalzjcHe5MIaX3k2oX4Lfy-4u0XftGmdZr_EMk87xnK8b/s400/Moose.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>

Happy to be home! Not happy to be 196.2.

Vacation? Not really. I'm back from vacation in Alaska. Actually, I'm not sure I'd call it a vacation. It was more visiting fami...

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Are you slacking in your job search?

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></i></b></span><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, helvetica;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="tblContent"><tbody><tr id="trContent"><td align="center" class="cb_style tcContent" id="tcContent" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><div class="cbArticleWrapper" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; width: 750px;"><div class="cbArticleContentWrapper" style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 15px; width: 750px;"><div class="cbArticleRight" style="width: 560px;"><div class="RXart" style="padding-right: 20px;"><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="margin-top: -30px;"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing</span></b><br /><br /><div class="cbmsnArticleImage"><img alt="" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/pb/ar5l0zf6ryx6fj5wgvpb.gif?time=5/10/2011%205:14:56%20pm" /></div></div><br /><div class="ArticleContent"><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">According to Michael Farr, author of "The Quick Resume & Cover Letter Book," the average job seeker spends fewer than 15 hours a week looking for work. Although 15 hours may seem like a great deal of time, it's quite minimal in comparison to the 25 hours or more that Farr recommends job seekers devote to their search for employment each week.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"The average length of unemployment varies from three or more months, with some being out of work far longer," explains Farr. "There is a clear connection between how long it takes to find a job and the number of hours spent looking on a daily and weekly basis. The more time you spend on your job search each week, the less time you are likely to remain unemployed. Of course, using more effective job search methods also helps. Those who set aside a solid amount of time for their job search activities and use this time wisely generally secure jobs in half the average time; and they often get better jobs, too."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Farr suggests that job seekers create a specific daily schedule that keeps them on task and accountable for how their job search progresses. Here is a sample schedule provided in his book.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong>7–8 a.m.</strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Get up, shower, dress and eat breakfast.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong>8–8:15 a.m.</strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Organize workspace, review schedule for interviews or follow-ups and update schedule.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong>8:15–9 a.m.</strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Review old leads for follow-up and develop new leads (want ads, Internet, networking lists and so on).</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong>9–10 a.m.</strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Make networking or direct employer phone calls, establish Internet contacts and set up meetings and interviews.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong>10–10:15 a.m.</strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Take a break.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong>10:15–11 a.m. </strong>Make more new calls and Internet contacts.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong>11–12 p.m. </strong>Make follow-up calls and send emails as needed.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong>12–1 p.m.</strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Lunch break.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong>1–5 p.m.</strong>Go on interviews and networking meetings, make cold contacts in the field and conduct research for upcoming interviews.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong>5–8 p.m.</strong>Attend networking events.</div><em>Selena Dehne is a career writer for JIST Publishing who shares the latest occupational, career and job search information available with job seekers and career changers. She is also the author of JIST's Job Search and Career Blog (<a href="http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/</a>). Follow her on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/SelenaDehne" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">http://twitter.com/SelenaDehne</a></em> </div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

Are you slacking in your job search?

Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing According to Michael Farr, author of "The Quick Resume & Cover Letter Book," the average job see...

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Lyle Wheeler - Setting the Scene

<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/AVvXsEhRIe5q7H0cWe8TzRT4wj4XrqH1prqnuteYLHQdL1HTjnAF-v1JBiXXl5k3FzPin8Uw2zt8Wio6zwplPXoWAt884nytk0OEtHMxOR9IJlbYN3TaOWSiSjeqiElqe7-fCXwPJGSiZwF3IK7Q/s1600/Lyle+Wheeler-GWTW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIe5q7H0cWe8TzRT4wj4XrqH1prqnuteYLHQdL1HTjnAF-v1JBiXXl5k3FzPin8Uw2zt8Wio6zwplPXoWAt884nytk0OEtHMxOR9IJlbYN3TaOWSiSjeqiElqe7-fCXwPJGSiZwF3IK7Q/s400/Lyle+Wheeler-GWTW.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watercolor pre-production painting of Tara for <i>Gone with the Wind </i>(1939)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>by guest author Captain Gregg </i> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">The art director is one of the most important artists in the film industry for it is his talent and skill that bring a script to visual life. Lyle Wheeler was a master craftsman in this field of production design. In his career, he created the environments to over 350 films. From their initial sketches on paper to the purchasing of the props and furnishings, to the costumes of the characters, to the construction of the studio and outdoor sets, his eye oversaw each and every process.</span><br /><a name='more'></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everything that surrounded the action in front of the camera, in the foreground as well as the background, was his responsibility and Lyle Wheeler knew how to interpret a script to set it to its best advantage. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Born on February 12, 1905 in Woburn, Massachusetts, Lyle Reynolds Wheeler began his career as a magazine illustrator and went on to become an industrial designer before joining MGM in 1931 as a layout artist. His skill in this new field was evident, and it was not long before he worked his way up to assistant art director under Cedric Gibbons (head of the MGM art department ). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 1936 a new Technicolor dye transfer process was created and as his first assignment as a full-fledged art director Lyle worked with David O. Selznick in making <i>The Garden of Allah</i>, a visually stunning vehicle to showcase this new development in filmmaking. He worked on several more Technicolor films and acquired a skill in the medium that was later justly rewarded with a 1939 Academy Award for his work on “Gone with The Wind”, where – working with William Cameron Menzies – he created two of the most magnificent motion picture settings of all time - the beautiful plantation and surrounding grounds of Tara, and the burning of Atlanta.</span></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/AVvXsEjqKhk01KOwt8SpOAV-uc2PEV0B-rGVcjLS0TpqBj3Ky65W8LKLML02M9UI1rUWRUtU5K9eOQQnnNUiz-TGTEKAFXmsFNNkuJCWAirHLskp8OmW19b1f5aNaxn0TJmLAyQzxrzdo2oPcdHL/s1600/Lyle-Tara-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKhk01KOwt8SpOAV-uc2PEV0B-rGVcjLS0TpqBj3Ky65W8LKLML02M9UI1rUWRUtU5K9eOQQnnNUiz-TGTEKAFXmsFNNkuJCWAirHLskp8OmW19b1f5aNaxn0TJmLAyQzxrzdo2oPcdHL/s400/Lyle-Tara-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tara<i> - Gone with the Wind</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Wheeler’s talent for creating historically accurate sets was exercised in many other period films of the 1940s and 50s including <i>That Hamilton Woman</i> (London, 1799 ), <i>Anna and the King of Siam</i> and its remake <i>The King and I</i> (Siam, 1870s ), <i>The Foxes of Harrow</i> (America, 1821), <i>Dragonwyck</i> (1844 ), <i>Titanic</i> (1915 ) and the numerous Biblical-era films he designed sets for, such as, <i>The Robe</i>, <i>Demetrius and the Gladiators</i>, <i>David and Bathsheba</i> and <i>The Egyptian</i>.</span></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/AVvXsEhqGX7U-AKi-hILYPk16fTTEhV1FURk4nrBJ5phbu6PmCKV6XF19Tf2Mwnn-y9jbmEEL48kdwgRJ6c04o_LNCYGO-6zaDnOWGMH17vwCeraCI9b8wJMcwmpRLs6PhjFVrdACbsQZ5njm_0A/s1600/Lyle+Hamilton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGX7U-AKi-hILYPk16fTTEhV1FURk4nrBJ5phbu6PmCKV6XF19Tf2Mwnn-y9jbmEEL48kdwgRJ6c04o_LNCYGO-6zaDnOWGMH17vwCeraCI9b8wJMcwmpRLs6PhjFVrdACbsQZ5njm_0A/s400/Lyle+Hamilton.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>That Hamilton Woman</i> (1941)<i> </i></td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEh5bAPp6XJi3fx9D8JwyZDPCfRycQenj0Y0UA_r5bUZCaP4FSbEf_0Bx7FRouOvpL8w_T8WNErb6CT6IqzezT9h4uNIxunZwpsJCaahvb90G5afsR92EOPvx7dhRMthj8J6uQpUCgV2z2fc/s1600/Lyle+Manderley+Rebecca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bAPp6XJi3fx9D8JwyZDPCfRycQenj0Y0UA_r5bUZCaP4FSbEf_0Bx7FRouOvpL8w_T8WNErb6CT6IqzezT9h4uNIxunZwpsJCaahvb90G5afsR92EOPvx7dhRMthj8J6uQpUCgV2z2fc/s400/Lyle+Manderley+Rebecca.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance of Manderley in <i>Rebecca</i> (1940) - note impressive wood carvings</td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEiOmvwfJaxNqUmJfVvtMB2Gzo2fHwzy7OhZCpBFh31yy4xlI1YOghmoRSba4YptvMrvGxR1jgT5TKZrPacjWo1erbWenZ0tuj70YlwGUHxlQOiZSqVLv_FKxWxoe2uFPZm9sSpFF9rSj8PY/s1600/Lyle+Manderley+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmvwfJaxNqUmJfVvtMB2Gzo2fHwzy7OhZCpBFh31yy4xlI1YOghmoRSba4YptvMrvGxR1jgT5TKZrPacjWo1erbWenZ0tuj70YlwGUHxlQOiZSqVLv_FKxWxoe2uFPZm9sSpFF9rSj8PY/s400/Lyle+Manderley+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grand Room of Manderley in <i>Rebecca</i>...yes, it's quite graahnd</td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEik2s5PPktEJzGB7iL3f3Acu2Dma7rLMaE1SZcw6jwSWUWLwYUjSlEjY4PrSZlFjzwRA0Ono-w3ux_X_PqzgTocjCmZLzw-aGLa5q23wYXLu72V4QDqF_g-e5upxkzMWQDSvmu5JLeoqkii/s1600/Lyle+Rebecca+cottage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2s5PPktEJzGB7iL3f3Acu2Dma7rLMaE1SZcw6jwSWUWLwYUjSlEjY4PrSZlFjzwRA0Ono-w3ux_X_PqzgTocjCmZLzw-aGLa5q23wYXLu72V4QDqF_g-e5upxkzMWQDSvmu5JLeoqkii/s400/Lyle+Rebecca+cottage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The quaint seaside cottage in <i>Rebecca</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Lyle Wheeler setting is always characterized by its extreme clarity and sharpness of lines. Why, his scenes look so crisp and real you almost feel like you’re transported into the setting along with the characters! This is especially evident in his black-and-white productions. Through varying tones of shade and the accentuation of shadows, Manderley estate (<i>Rebecca </i>) comes alive for us as much as it does for Mrs. de Winter. And in <i>Laura</i> we come to know the characters<i> primarily</i> through their personal environments. Decorated sweet and simply, Laura’s apartment reveals the kind and innocent girl behind the painting that Mark comes to love, whereas Waldo Lydecker’s place of abode is modern, aesthetic and although pleasing to the eye, it’s as cold as his marble bath.</span></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/AVvXsEj-7PW2Al2Rrk9Msas-8Vc1KkfHQaH2nMQYwvHHUpnlaViOZzrUIkxVE_EQmJFS8oFAosD3W_LP9Un0FDouCbdmT937NhC7MbvXuJ1UyvIWkowurBL2y69-oeFxsgKYmywaz26iDTtSRbqh/s1600/Laura+with+portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7PW2Al2Rrk9Msas-8Vc1KkfHQaH2nMQYwvHHUpnlaViOZzrUIkxVE_EQmJFS8oFAosD3W_LP9Un0FDouCbdmT937NhC7MbvXuJ1UyvIWkowurBL2y69-oeFxsgKYmywaz26iDTtSRbqh/s400/Laura+with+portrait.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Laura </i>(1944)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> It was Wheeler’s decision to have <i>Leave her to Heaven</i> filmed in color. While all film noirs of the era were being shot in black-and-white ( to emphasis their dark storyline), this tale of deception is vividly contrasted against bright country lawns, sunny skies of New Mexico and peaceful blue waters of a private lake in Maine.</span></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/AVvXsEjlF4XC2EbhP91WeiYFeaH2EpbEHKHULaHwaNTJ9WpkQ_IdoWdrmuNvV2n4Pav5FmKgHmmRlmgD9ih0RDK8GzxsEcyXr2KDOQtQ5q3xfppXOy-uReaWrqHI3BdIhGNQzAfrrj3Z1Wq2bD84/s1600/Lyle+Heaven+decor+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlF4XC2EbhP91WeiYFeaH2EpbEHKHULaHwaNTJ9WpkQ_IdoWdrmuNvV2n4Pav5FmKgHmmRlmgD9ih0RDK8GzxsEcyXr2KDOQtQ5q3xfppXOy-uReaWrqHI3BdIhGNQzAfrrj3Z1Wq2bD84/s400/Lyle+Heaven+decor+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional New England=style furniture in the Maine House in <i>Leave Her to Heaven </i>(1945)</td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEiYjzYCOumGQfAgioO-t6v_7d4hEMvqJ9uTXTHb7oijGj1Fmp3nIVe_Sq8A5XJdJx2RZd1LvcpAl3GVkeOtKy38JV5BCuNq71F9tMplKo0ITWldWtVG5HZ65uNm3dTBDkd_BRhz7p-lduqJ/s1600/Lyle+Heaven+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjzYCOumGQfAgioO-t6v_7d4hEMvqJ9uTXTHb7oijGj1Fmp3nIVe_Sq8A5XJdJx2RZd1LvcpAl3GVkeOtKy38JV5BCuNq71F9tMplKo0ITWldWtVG5HZ65uNm3dTBDkd_BRhz7p-lduqJ/s400/Lyle+Heaven+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Leave Her to Heaven</i> included many sumptuous sets, but this is my favorite. What marvelous wood flooring and beams!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> In 1953 he created another masterpiece in <i>color noir</i> by effectively utilizing a carillon tower as a scene for murder in Otto Preminger’s <i>Niagara</i>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">From 1947-1960 Lyle Wheeler was head of 20^th Century Fox’s art department and during his tenure at the studio he worked on a broad range of productions which required sets of all sorts of different styles and themes. <i>In The Diary of Anne Frank</i> there is the confined quarters of a family in hiding; in <i>Come to the Stable</i> a songwriter’s Pennsylvanian country retreat; in <i>The Best of Everything</i>, the stylish living and working domains of a group of New York secretaries. The post-war buildings of Hong Kong were beautifully created for our eye’s entertainment in <i>Love is a Many-Splendored Thing</i>; the opulent interiors of a Parisian nightclub for <i>Can-Can</i> and with a giant leap into the future, we are given a glimpse of the sleek interior of an alien messenger’s private spaceship in <i>The Day the Earth Stood Still</i>.</span></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/AVvXsEjhjcYwjM3YRB64TJIaBjurIsL3UyiskzYBrH4LPoNZYgaRnci5xYlTvKANgJINF1QqBQZ3wW_Pvl2zrHgVgScQzhJf-Lem7VSjHZ6NR6Y8KmNl8z9T5GW8nNI70VuIT8w6zC-QLBTMpwRR/s1600/Lyle+King.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjcYwjM3YRB64TJIaBjurIsL3UyiskzYBrH4LPoNZYgaRnci5xYlTvKANgJINF1QqBQZ3wW_Pvl2zrHgVgScQzhJf-Lem7VSjHZ6NR6Y8KmNl8z9T5GW8nNI70VuIT8w6zC-QLBTMpwRR/s400/Lyle+King.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Royal Palace of Siam in <i>The King and I </i>(1956)</td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEhS3LfQzwT2m1YX8bbLjRtxgHQXso2u0tQNMq8ZKWizyTioTnVNHnygZxJI80UNik5bdAJsVdrbV8m0R_WbZgPp7xvByE1Mdbt51zC-dTlew395qlwC8DZ-48QnHuTQFKMAkQhY4kSW-k7C/s1600/Lyle+Robe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3LfQzwT2m1YX8bbLjRtxgHQXso2u0tQNMq8ZKWizyTioTnVNHnygZxJI80UNik5bdAJsVdrbV8m0R_WbZgPp7xvByE1Mdbt51zC-dTlew395qlwC8DZ-48QnHuTQFKMAkQhY4kSW-k7C/s400/Lyle+Robe.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Robe</i> (1953) - Caligula's throne</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of my favorite of his settings is his highly imaginative creation of the center of the earth <i>in Journey to the Center of the Earth</i>. Luminescent cavern walls, pillars of salt, the lost city of Atlantis, rainbow colored waters, and giant mushrooms abound in this under-the-mantle world of adventure.</span></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/AVvXsEg56Z-6U40lTcq4Zu0JxV01A8TMpMO2ECLp9lRWoIqcTXRo0gNxNT1riijXl3X6NDQAGpU7xA98ru2SX-VOD0rsB3c7O1kKoT24NlCjdG0JOu68ZMHY5iOkU_8oT-3oZQNQY6xIhFqfjJq5/s1600/Lyle+Journey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56Z-6U40lTcq4Zu0JxV01A8TMpMO2ECLp9lRWoIqcTXRo0gNxNT1riijXl3X6NDQAGpU7xA98ru2SX-VOD0rsB3c7O1kKoT24NlCjdG0JOu68ZMHY5iOkU_8oT-3oZQNQY6xIhFqfjJq5/s400/Lyle+Journey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Professor Lindenbrook's library in <i>Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959) </i>- a heaven for book lovers!</td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEj_B6xmKlh98PRQwDw939E-Q-GxKkJYENi6QYM1xS1UcEPWoH0Cg4NppjqK9x2HgVLOX7cEtEZdBwZHqbYVq5VAuiH8RSqHtF5F4QMP9A-orcHSy8ghg8jpEFhT8RLfjz3hkFzRTNNU1OxZ/s1600/Lyle+Journey+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_B6xmKlh98PRQwDw939E-Q-GxKkJYENi6QYM1xS1UcEPWoH0Cg4NppjqK9x2HgVLOX7cEtEZdBwZHqbYVq5VAuiH8RSqHtF5F4QMP9A-orcHSy8ghg8jpEFhT8RLfjz3hkFzRTNNU1OxZ/s400/Lyle+Journey+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mushrooms galore are discovered beneath the earth in <i>Journey to the Center of the Earth</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">After he left 20^th Century Fox, Wheeler worked for several years on <i>Perry Mason</i>. Here, the sets were made with the same attention to detail as on a feature film. Mason’s rich clients were surrounded with rare antiques, hand-carved furniture and priceless oil paintings in their posh apartment pads or elaborate Beverly Hills mansions – a very fitting setting for the high-end nail-biting drama that would take place within their walls.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">In all, Lyle Wheeler was nominated for 29 Academy Awards (!) winning five which, unfortunately, were lost to him when they were accidently auctioned off in 1982.  He passed away in 1990 in Los Angeles. I wonder whatever became of his golden statuettes?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Guest author "Captain Gregg" is a young (early 20s) classic film enthusiast who is also a member of the Turner Classic Movies fan site, the Classic Film Union (CFU). She recently entered a giveaway here at "Eve's Reel Life" - and won the <b>Errol Flynn Adventures</b> boxed set from Warner Bros. Which is how we met.  Not long after, she posted this very fine piece on Lyle Wheeler at CFU and I asked if I could republish it here. She kindly agreed.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>

Captain Gregg Gone with the Wind Journey to the Center of the Earth Laura Leave Her to Heaven Lyle Wheeler Rebecca That Hamilton Woman The King and I The Robe Lyle Wheeler - Setting the Scene

Watercolor pre-production painting of Tara for Gone with the Wind (1939) by guest author Captain Gregg   The art director is one of the most...

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