Today's archidose #632

Here are some photos of the Lafayette College Arts Plaza on their <a href="http://www.lafayette.edu/about/news/2010/10/08/lafayette-announces-new-williams-arts-campus-on-north-third-street/">Williams Arts Campus</a> in Easton, Pennsylvania, by <a href="http://www.spillmanfarmer.com/">Spillman Farmer Architects</a> (2011). Photographs are by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/piccolotakesall/">Vicki Liantonio</a> courtesy <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spillmanfarmer/">Spillman Farmer Architects</a>' flickr page.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spillmanfarmer/8157871369/" title="spillman farmer architects_lafayette college_williams visual arts_0722 square_vicki liantonio by Spillman Farmer Architects, on Flickr"><img alt="spillman farmer architects_lafayette college_williams visual arts_0722 square_vicki liantonio" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7128/8157871369_23c881c424_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spillmanfarmer/8163897205/" title="spillman farmer architects_lafayette college_williams visual arts_0161 square_vicki liantonio by Spillman Farmer Architects, on Flickr"><img alt="spillman farmer architects_lafayette college_williams visual arts_0161 square_vicki liantonio" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8340/8163897205_4e62b09fb0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spillmanfarmer/8157867975/" title="spillman farmer architects_lafayette college_williams visual arts_0104 square_vicki liantonio by Spillman Farmer Architects, on Flickr"><img alt="spillman farmer architects_lafayette college_williams visual arts_0104 square_vicki liantonio" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7270/8157867975_1d7a149cbf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spillmanfarmer/8157899544/" title="spillman farmer architects_lafayette college_williams visual arts_0096 square_vicki liantonio by Spillman Farmer Architects, on Flickr"><img alt="spillman farmer architects_lafayette college_williams visual arts_0096 square_vicki liantonio" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/8157899544_56197678b0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />To contribute your Flickr images for consideration, just:<br /><blockquote>:: Join and add photos to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/archi-dose/">archidose pool</a>, and/or<br />:: Tag your photos <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/archidose/">archidose</a></span></blockquote>

Today's archidose #632

Here are some photos of the Lafayette College Arts Plaza on their Williams Arts Campus in Easton, Pennsylvania, by Spillman Farmer Architec...

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Teach This! Teaching with lesson plans and ideas that rock 11/09/2012

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://thinkglobalschool.org/announcing-the-global-student-leadership-forum/">Announcing the Global Student Leadership Forum — THINK Global School</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">"THINK Global School in conjunction with the Flat Classroom Project® are excited to announce the formation of a Global Student Leadership Forum. After months of planning, the forum will be launched at the upcoming Global Education Conference, when students will meet online and exchange ideas and plans for future development. What are the aims? The aim of the Forum is to to encourage students (High School – Gr 9-12) to gather in a formal capacity to discuss issues and propose future directions for the world. It is also to provide a place for students to form an online community that will support and foster active discussion and interaction with a view to sharing resources, ideas and collaborate on actions globally. Virtual classroom and community networking tools and other resources will provide opportunities for students from all parts of the world to come together as a global forum virtually (and where possible in real time). The purpose of this is to: Foster leadership skills amongst young people Provide opportunities to interact online and therefore become adept at using virtual tools for interactions and co-creation Encourage global conversations about real world topics and global issues Encourage discussion about possible solutions to global issues and foster action projects" Julie and I are very excited about this project. This is an excellent opportunity for students who are leaders or who don't have the opportunity to do a lot of flattening but would benefit from interaction with others around the world. Join in!</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/tumblr">tumblr</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/facebook">facebook</a></p> </li> </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='http://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Teach This! Teaching with lesson plans and ideas that rock 11/09/2012

Announcing the Global Student Leadership Forum — THINK Global School "THINK Global School in co...

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Not good....

<span style="font-size: large;">Went back to Bikram Yoga after not being there for ages.  Felt ok at the beginning but by the middle of the class I felt like I was going to faint.  I went to leave the room and by the time I got to the middle of the room my legs went from under me and I fainted.  Oh dear!</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I sat out for the next half hour but once the class moved to the floor part of the class I felt well enough to go back in and continue the class.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The teacher gave me coconut water to get my potassium levels back up.  I still feel a bit shaky now but am happy that I went back in and got to the end of the class.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>

Not good....

Went back to Bikram Yoga after not being there for ages.  Felt ok at the beginning but by the middle of the class I felt like I was going to...

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Library Director - Prospect Public Library

<strong>Library Director -</strong> <strong><span style="color: #48286d;">Prospect Public Library</span></strong>. The Board of Trustees of the Prospect Public Library, Prospect, CT is seeking a dynamic, innovative, energetic, collaborative leader to serve as our Director. If you welcome the opportunity to network within the community, like to try out new ideas, are comfortable with technology, enjoy working with adults and children, have outstanding customer service skills and the ability to advocate for our Library, then you may be who we are looking for. The Library Board invites applications from experienced professionals with excellent communication skills, digital fluency, and the ability to use their in-depth knowledge of all aspects of library services and management, traditional and virtual resources, technology, and current trends to continue to build our collection and initiate innovative and fresh services for our patrons. The ideal candidate will have three or more years of progressively responsible experience in library management including a proven record working successfully with staff, patrons and other community stakeholders. The Library Director performs professional and administrative duties in planning, developing, implementing, and directing public library services. Responsibilities include: budget preparation, management and evaluation of library services, personnel supervision and evaluation, collection and program development, community relations, and facility maintenance supervision. Candidates should have strong administrative, problem-solving, supervisory, planning, and organizational skills, the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of constituencies, and the ability to maintain and enhance a welcoming and customer service oriented environment. A thorough knowledge of print and online reference sources and extensive knowledge and skill in integrated library management systems and library information technology applications is required. An MLS from an ALA accredited university plus 3 to 5 years of professional experience in the field of public librarianship is required. This 40 h/w position includes some nights and Saturdays, attendance at varied meetings, programs or workshops for professional development, and community outreach. Salary range is $45,000 to $50,000 commensurate with experience. Very good benefits package. Position is open until filled with a start date of January 2013. Please send cover letter briefly describing your background and its relevance to this position, resume and three (3) work references to: Susan H. McKernan, Chairman, Prospect Public Library, 17 Center Street, Prospect, CT 06712, or Email documentation to: <a _fcksavedurl="mailto:shmckernan@comcast.net" href="mailto:shmckernan@comcast.net">shmckernan@comcast.net</a>. The Prospect Public Library values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Library complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

Library Director - Prospect Public Library

Library Director - Prospect Public Library . The Board of Trustees of the Prospect Public Library, Prospect, CT is seeking a dynamic, inn...

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Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 11/09/2012

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.shaanhaider.com/2012/11/embed-kindle-ebooks-on-website.html">HOW TO : Embed the Kindle Ebooks on Your Website ~ Geeky Stuffs</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">"But here we are going to learn how to embed the sample chapters of the ebooks available on the Amazon store." You can embed Kindle ebooks  and sample chapters on your blog. This is a very cool way to do book reviews.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/blogging">blogging</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://thinkglobalschool.org/announcing-the-global-student-leadership-forum/">Announcing the Global Student Leadership Forum — THINK Global School</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">"THINK Global School in conjunction with the Flat Classroom Project® are excited to announce the formation of a Global Student Leadership Forum. After months of planning, the forum will be launched at the upcoming Global Education Conference, when students will meet online and exchange ideas and plans for future development. What are the aims? The aim of the Forum is to to encourage students (High School – Gr 9-12) to gather in a formal capacity to discuss issues and propose future directions for the world. It is also to provide a place for students to form an online community that will support and foster active discussion and interaction with a view to sharing resources, ideas and collaborate on actions globally. Virtual classroom and community networking tools and other resources will provide opportunities for students from all parts of the world to come together as a global forum virtually (and where possible in real time). The purpose of this is to: Foster leadership skills amongst young people Provide opportunities to interact online and therefore become adept at using virtual tools for interactions and co-creation Encourage global conversations about real world topics and global issues Encourage discussion about possible solutions to global issues and foster action projects" Julie and I are very excited about this project. This is an excellent opportunity for students who are leaders or who don't have the opportunity to do a lot of flattening but would benefit from interaction with others around the world. Join in!</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/tumblr">tumblr</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/facebook">facebook</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2012/11/harvard-wants-to-know-how-does-making-shape-kids-brains/">Harvard Wants to Know: How Does the Act of Making Shape Kids’ Brains? | MindShift</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Despite the fact that Texas lawmakers have "outlawed" Bloom's Taxonomy (not sure how you can outlaw a way of thinking, but ok) these researchers are studying what happens when students create. It is about time as we've been talking about the creativity crisis in the US for some time now. Creativity and creating should be part of what happens in every classroom but it can be messy and not so very discrete. Some kids can disengage (unless held accountable) and others (often those who test well) are totally lost when asked to make something original. So glad to see this happen - read the full post over at Mindshift to learn more.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/creation">creation</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/research">research</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/tumblr">tumblr</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.downes.ca/cgi-bin/page.cgi?post=59425">Who is accountable at Coursera?</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Stephen Downes asks an important question as someone found a big error in a course at Coursera. Whose job is it to correct errors? If this error stays put and there is no system for reporting it, I think it will be telling. Many can put content up, but who is going to interact and keep it updated?</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/mooc">mooc</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/elearning">elearning</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/fairfax-teachers-in-virgi_n_2089099.html">Fairfax Teachers Say They Will 'Cheat' On New Evaluations</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">When teachers don't understand evaluations and are so upset they say they will "cheat" there are many problems with this. We put students on an honor code and even when the teacher is unreasonable and hard, those students are expected to be honest. Now, we have an unreasonable "test" for teachers and some say they will cheat. This "evaluation" needs to be evaluated. Many problems here. But one of the biggest problems I see is the harem scarem, unpredictable pendulum swing of evaluations and criteria used to evaluate a profession that has been around a very long time. As people work hard to weed out - it is working - more than half of teachers have been teaching less than 10 years as veterans say "enough!" You don't turn a big ship by crashing it into a reef but by slow, methodical turns of the wheel. I find teacher evaluations that many are using to be cumbersome, confusing, and inconsistent. I know of a top evaluated teacher in my area according to her hallmate, who plans her lessons twice a year and wow's the principal -- the rest of the time this teacher has a glorified study hall and does nothing. When I hear these stories of highly "evaluated" teachers, I'm convinced it is broken. My curriculum director and principal are in my room several times a month, looking at what we are doing and watching what is happening. That is a much better system, in my opinion and much more in keeping with what is happening in my classroom daily.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/assessment">assessment</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/all_teacherss">all_teacherss</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/honesty">honesty</a></p> </li> </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='http://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 11/09/2012

HOW TO : Embed the Kindle Ebooks on Your Website ~ Geeky Stuffs "But here we are going to learn...

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if i had a million dollars

I went hunting again. Not for anything in particular. Just for relaxation. I take great pleasure in walking quietly thru a huge warehouse of eye candy with no one pulling on me, whining at me or asking if we can leave.<br /><br />This trip seemed to have a chinoiserie theme. I found a million and one things that I wouldn't mind adding to my pad. But again, just looking. Here are just a few.<br /><br />Let's walk, shall we?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27ncNZJkf42MxvVIXgEKZV_nZNMrHFVqnl0zvU2nhE0prB_NEWIWSWs4gSkpA9LnxbTWmUUy6FapP14ES1lBE4_oHOjpTB0F0iHC2XUEgeIPFyyshqqL9yszYZ-LEyx1sdmkfD7Um4dMX/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27ncNZJkf42MxvVIXgEKZV_nZNMrHFVqnl0zvU2nhE0prB_NEWIWSWs4gSkpA9LnxbTWmUUy6FapP14ES1lBE4_oHOjpTB0F0iHC2XUEgeIPFyyshqqL9yszYZ-LEyx1sdmkfD7Um4dMX/s640/IMG_0346.JPG" width="472" /></a></div>This chair was in excellent condition. It had the original fabric but that would be easy to replace. All the little details on this thing - the curved arms and legs, the swoop in the seat. Die.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvR9MdChSt6Ib6PdMzKe1Sv2H09k2kc3BeVXWQZJFs_5dcZdQog-zHhoVUiMCNDCmmc9Us-odf-dy8FJeV-K1N9q1W-cLyG_6ChXjk3G_LLyqnqIgRhdomA8zCSTPO4bWoatPigHbef92/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvR9MdChSt6Ib6PdMzKe1Sv2H09k2kc3BeVXWQZJFs_5dcZdQog-zHhoVUiMCNDCmmc9Us-odf-dy8FJeV-K1N9q1W-cLyG_6ChXjk3G_LLyqnqIgRhdomA8zCSTPO4bWoatPigHbef92/s640/IMG_0385.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> My youngest is all about elephants. Think this is too much for a 20-month-old?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswjUIp3qSaL_q5xXs75OCzgRb0gZiHK2-qxFRZt-5DkIyPSCmVndraZxWgjqmyVJLt_0sUsjKjhyZfnyV3G4IuyStGSapgi393knSh1ij8Lekld1pyVnPW_9TFrOSw_CosA91v8Z-mETu/s1600/IMG_0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswjUIp3qSaL_q5xXs75OCzgRb0gZiHK2-qxFRZt-5DkIyPSCmVndraZxWgjqmyVJLt_0sUsjKjhyZfnyV3G4IuyStGSapgi393knSh1ij8Lekld1pyVnPW_9TFrOSw_CosA91v8Z-mETu/s640/IMG_0387.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> This picture does not do this screen justice. The colors in this thing are amazing and the condition was like new. This whole thing was hand painted, which I guess was why it was mucho $$. Hell, if I had painted that whole thing I would probably demand a cool million.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQohyphenhyphenHrr2qusjHR1JHQZ8hrRiahjhbAuqZWDFaTZ4LBSlkYSB0WL5wMUgDXCLpU4xkgx5zweNFA4PAGdjuLcjqeZgCYrWBboI-FZw7GryyfI3mzR4Da1E7SkUdBT4IND8tPWhZpn1-L3q/s1600/IMG_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQohyphenhyphenHrr2qusjHR1JHQZ8hrRiahjhbAuqZWDFaTZ4LBSlkYSB0WL5wMUgDXCLpU4xkgx5zweNFA4PAGdjuLcjqeZgCYrWBboI-FZw7GryyfI3mzR4Da1E7SkUdBT4IND8tPWhZpn1-L3q/s640/IMG_0389.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Beautiful twin beds for a chinoiserie bedroom. Killing me.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRIU06eN7MohYo8qBXSE2iCgdWC6JOdNbJlelh-Y1-nVrghXOW5JgjbDlieQJvPY-f3ZNRiMRGk9iwBG8_OIK8BOPcx3q1DW_Um8MmYMR_KV4Aa4j43DcapLjLZDz8G8hJLDjfA_9jlhyphenhyphen/s1600/IMG_0392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRIU06eN7MohYo8qBXSE2iCgdWC6JOdNbJlelh-Y1-nVrghXOW5JgjbDlieQJvPY-f3ZNRiMRGk9iwBG8_OIK8BOPcx3q1DW_Um8MmYMR_KV4Aa4j43DcapLjLZDz8G8hJLDjfA_9jlhyphenhyphen/s640/IMG_0392.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I have a version of these dudes in blue and white but I'd never seen them in such crazy colors. I think the dude on the right will be pleased with the new law passed in Colorado and Washington. He looks...happy.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pE58i6UzuBXfXXddCO8JIQ-6fxOH84knAXj6XC2yFGnwAzBrCwpxM2Tk7sFthtUNNlTlNgyKiL8-x-9HOvZbI6HoUeE4apKK588WKuuN7fjvlZUfAfgj6E9fEU8HYqFD4siAgIm_RSBz/s1600/IMG_0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pE58i6UzuBXfXXddCO8JIQ-6fxOH84knAXj6XC2yFGnwAzBrCwpxM2Tk7sFthtUNNlTlNgyKiL8-x-9HOvZbI6HoUeE4apKK588WKuuN7fjvlZUfAfgj6E9fEU8HYqFD4siAgIm_RSBz/s640/IMG_0393.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Fabulous coffee table.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhCHrmtWpV95Kb1voMlMYvWRn-DkxKV_y_FhvAfPPDOng-DnztQaCvQdtcShXrOg7cT_u3G64h6N1FRPSEjk0XixJjtHYenFMtPIaKNXsQirw9mH6S_VeR9jjAR7zHs51T2te_BYt88JD/s1600/IMG_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhCHrmtWpV95Kb1voMlMYvWRn-DkxKV_y_FhvAfPPDOng-DnztQaCvQdtcShXrOg7cT_u3G64h6N1FRPSEjk0XixJjtHYenFMtPIaKNXsQirw9mH6S_VeR9jjAR7zHs51T2te_BYt88JD/s640/IMG_0343.JPG" width="472" /></a></div> And then. I saw these. A PAIR of the most wonderful sconces I ever did see. And let me tell you,  I've seen my share of sconces.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusrLwoE_9SAnxUWchLs-_7l8PNIAabQh0BPAA-PpnhUy68O6rQUrHbqfZIxWQMVFAZQUgJQRNqkJYkht-Gm9aptt3A2yrpnf91BlTMvLFs7hFUF1HKJfjZ8w8ngEXpizHefVlPdtJP1tN/s1600/IMG_0349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusrLwoE_9SAnxUWchLs-_7l8PNIAabQh0BPAA-PpnhUy68O6rQUrHbqfZIxWQMVFAZQUgJQRNqkJYkht-Gm9aptt3A2yrpnf91BlTMvLFs7hFUF1HKJfjZ8w8ngEXpizHefVlPdtJP1tN/s640/IMG_0349.JPG" width="472" /></a></div>I considered chaining myself to them and refusing to leave until they were gifted to me. They would go to a good home and would be petted and massaged daily. I would give these sconces anything they wanted. Except for the money they were asking. And if I want to be responsible about the whole thing, they were really big and I don't think I have anywhere that they could go. Except my dining room. Or the living room. Or my sconce room. It could happen.<br /><br />How I love my little antique mall down the street from my house.<br /><br />Done any window shopping lately? Ever had something you would throw yourself on the floor for? Wanna go in on the sconces? We can share them.

if i had a million dollars

I went hunting again. Not for anything in particular. Just for relaxation. I take great pleasure in walking quietly thru a huge warehouse of...

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Mitt Romney Reflects on the Campaign

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />Hola y’all! Mitt here. Mittster. Mitterino. THE MITTENATOR! Matt and Jay have graciously agreed to let me use their blog to work things out after my shocking and devastating loss on Tuesday. I’m very thankful for this and yes, I agree that it’s very rare to see the words “Matt,” “Jay” and “gracious” in the same sentence. EL OH EL Guys! Just a little jokey-poo.<br /><br />You know, just a few days ago I couldn’t get away with saying “hola.” I would have caught crap from the media for trying to pander to the Hispanic vote. Man, am I glad this campaign is over. I think. Well, I’m not happy that I lost, but at least I don’t have to worry about getting in trouble for saying “hola” to Lupe in the mornings when I come downstairs for breakfast. Where is Lupe with my hot chocolate? She’s so slow.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7Uzy_Dd7SqFkBry0N1IsNBRyW4mQZJrLyDR2YafYSk9N2PhYcF740wnrCIR8RohmwjycO_itrNdtVex-p8ZT0PDUfsgo_afbq7zwDV2wbDhAVLfPdRvgoGbzOhVBpFXu7WTYehox-L4/s1600/Romney+Crying.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7Uzy_Dd7SqFkBry0N1IsNBRyW4mQZJrLyDR2YafYSk9N2PhYcF740wnrCIR8RohmwjycO_itrNdtVex-p8ZT0PDUfsgo_afbq7zwDV2wbDhAVLfPdRvgoGbzOhVBpFXu7WTYehox-L4/s320/Romney+Crying.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I just can’t believe I lost. I really thought I had this one in the bag. I don’t know what bag, but I had it in there. I’m starting to wonder if some of the people I had working on my campaign really knew what they were doing.  I’m a CEO, not worker bee so I don’t really know what they were doing all the time when I was on the road. Instead of polling they could have been calling phone sex lines for all I know.<br /><br />I know it wasn’t my position on the issues because I made sure nobody had any idea where I stood on those. Man, I was so smooth when it came to being pinned down on anything. I made sure that before anyone knew what I had said, I had someone put out a statement “explaining” what I REALLY meant. Hehe … That confused the hell out of those morons in the lame stream media.<br /><br />Of course there was that Hurricane Sandy and the whole thing with Chris Christie. I don’t know what to think about that. At first I thought everything was cool, but lately I’ve been thinking that I’m not all that happy with him. Nope. Not happy. AT. ALL!<br /><br />Seriously can you believe that guy? I don’t want to use a bad word here but FUCK THAT FUCKING ASSHOLE CHRISTIE! THAT SORRY SON OF A BITCH! ONE LITTLE WIND STORM AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN HE’S HUGGING OBAMA AS IF THEY’RE LONG LOST FRIENDS OR SOME SHIT. THAT GUIDO MOTHERFUCKER TOTALLY SAT THERE PRAISING OBAMA AND HIS … LEADERSHIP?? OH FUCK ME. IS CHRIS CHRISTIE ITALIAN? I DON’T EVEN FUCKING CARE RIGHT NOW. FOR HIM TO PUT HIS STATE AND ALL THOSE “SUFFERING” PEOPLE AHEAD OF MY CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT IS AN ACT OF BETRAYAL! I KNOW THEIR HOMES WERE DESTORYED AND ALL THAT SHIT BUT WHAT ABOUT ME? I NEEDED HELP TOO! THAT BASTARD AND HIS STATE FULL OF KNUCKLE-DRAGGING, HAIRY-CHESTED MICHAEL CORELONE WANNABES CAN ALL GO STRAIGHT TO HELL!<br /><br />Sorry guys. I almost lost my cool for a minute there.<br /><br />I just don’t know what I’m going to do next. I guess when Tagg gets home, he and I can watch <i>Love, Actually </i>again. It’s our favorite movie and would allow me to cry without any questioning or having to talk about my feelings. Tagg has that “Mr. Sensitive” thing going and it really bugs me.<br /><br />Well Lupe finally brought my hot chocolate. I think I’ll just sit here in my den with the lights out for a while. I really feel like I might cry. This is the saddest I’ve ever been. Okay, that’s not really true. I was even sadder the day Esmeralda, the one I could never have, moved back to Chile. I begged her stay, but she said her family needed her. Yeah, well what about me? What about what I needed? Nobody cared, as usual. Story of my life y’all.<br /><br />Where did I put that bourbon?<br /><br />Also, don’t bother me with your fake sympathy. Tell Jayman all about it if you just have to say something.<br /><br /><a href="mailto:Jayman3768@gmail.com">Jayman3768@gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/jayman_iws" target="_blank">@Jayman_IWS </a><br /><br /></div>

Mitt Romney Reflects on the Campaign

Hola y’all! Mitt here. Mittster. Mitterino. THE MITTENATOR! Matt and Jay have graciously agreed to let me use their blog to work things out ...

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Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair Cream

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhGsNWcRvSlxUE8nvaXpKxCfGo9UnKOaZdBcBk7wh4T1OPECMjEi-WoCvX5zu4cM8dsuG-dCVff3MK4sCRzYJpksT-cNjPVHgKD29eraPyaQwPGP8AqkV8g_I5XlyardSvzogv8yzZxY/s1600/kinky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhGsNWcRvSlxUE8nvaXpKxCfGo9UnKOaZdBcBk7wh4T1OPECMjEi-WoCvX5zu4cM8dsuG-dCVff3MK4sCRzYJpksT-cNjPVHgKD29eraPyaQwPGP8AqkV8g_I5XlyardSvzogv8yzZxY/s200/kinky.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5hjtJqqWQpyS2G9C7yHrSGjnOXcycs-6qNGmkE_x6GuNsYQOYQc37RHmbMrAgzzwAoZqdBZ9lvIQrG5lwAzxDTBPgRBom4o7Jbzz38IkUr6RjKcuGgB7J0HZvuScEn7r_c0VVFGougc/s1600/kinky+hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5hjtJqqWQpyS2G9C7yHrSGjnOXcycs-6qNGmkE_x6GuNsYQOYQc37RHmbMrAgzzwAoZqdBZ9lvIQrG5lwAzxDTBPgRBom4o7Jbzz38IkUr6RjKcuGgB7J0HZvuScEn7r_c0VVFGougc/s200/kinky+hair.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I got my hair cut a couple of weeks ago and wanted to maintain the new cut look. So I grabbed my hair product from Influenster for testing purposes only which was the Not My Mother's Kinky Moves hair cream. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was thinking to myself why not give it a shot. So I read the directions and ran it through my hair. From the moment I ran it through my scalp I knew I loved it. I loved the Grape seed and Jasmine smell. To me it smells like grape vines, which I love the smell of! Love how it eliminates frizz and gives your hair the extra oomph that it needs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> So when your going out for a girls night run it through your hair and go! Not only will it make your hair smell great but it will look great too! If you are interested at all in trying out this product check them out here. <a href="http://www.nymbrands.com/"></a> </div>

Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair Cream

 I got my hair cut a couple of weeks ago and wanted to maintain the new cut look. So I grabbed my hair product from Influenster for testing ...

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Part-Time Substitute Library Assistant - The Public Library of New London

<strong>Part-Time Substitute Library Assistant - </strong><strong><span style="color: #48286d;">The Public Library of New London</span></strong> has an opening for a qualified candidate to provide support for public service desks. This is a part-time substitute library assistant position with variable hours, including daytime, evening and weekend hours. Excellent customer service skills and computer proficiency are required and familiarity with computerized circulation systems is preferred. A high school degree is required and some college preferred. The starting salary is $9.75 per hour, with no benefits. A copy of the job description and application are posted on the library website at <a _fcksavedurl="http://www.plnl.org" href="http://www.plnl.org/" target="_blank">www.plnl.org</a> and are available at the Circulation Desk at the library. If interested, please send cover letter and completed application to Library Director, Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington Street, New London, CT, 06320. Deadline for filing an application is <span style="color: red;">November 16, 2012</span> at 5:00 PM. EOE/M/F.

Part-Time Substitute Library Assistant - The Public Library of New London

Part-Time Substitute Library Assistant - The Public Library of New London has an opening for a qualified candidate to provide support for p...

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Librarian & Curator of Manuscripts - New Haven Museum

<strong>Librarian & Curator of Manuscripts - </strong><span style="color: #48286d;"><strong>New Haven Museum</strong></span>. The New Haven Museum seeks an innovative professional with demonstrated experience in library administration and collections management to lead the Whitney Library, a significant research facility that supports and enhances the Museum’s role as the repository of the City’s history. This motivated, public-minded individual will improve intellectual and physical access to the Library’s holdings and work collaboratively to connect with the Museum’s artifact and photograph collections. She or he will have direct responsibility for the planning and implementation of the automation of the Whitney Library’s catalogs and for moving finding aids online. This position reports to the Museum’s Executive Director and is supported by two paraprofessionals. Responsibilities: 1) Manages the bibliographic collection, including acquisitions and cataloguing of books, broadsides, maps, architectural drawings, and other special collections, using currently accepted cataloguing standards (AACR2, LCSH, LC Classification). 2) Develops and manages the archival collection, including donor relations, acquisitions, manuscript processing, and creation of finding aids for the collections. 3) Provides library and archival reference service in person, by telephone, e-mail, or post. 4) Provides bibliographic instruction to students and other groups and engages in outreach activities as appropriate. 5) Organizes and prepares programs for the Whitney Library Associates, a museum affinity group, and serves as the staff liaison to the Library Committee. 6) Organizes exhibits on local history from the Library’s collection; contributes ideas and materials toward the planning, development, and implementation of the Museum’s exhibitions. 7) As a department head, supports planning, security, conservation and day-to-day operation of the Museum. 8) Conducts research and provides support for grant proposals related to the preservation, care, and management of the library and archival collections, and manages grant-funded projects. 9) Undertakes special projects as required. Qualifications: 1) M.L.S. from an ALA-accredited program, with archival experience and/or training. 2) Three to five years of experience as a librarian in an academic, research, or public library. 3) Demonstrated knowledge of library and archival management systems including: experience with OCLC and an online cataloging system in a special collections environment, experience using currently accepted cataloguing standards (AACR2, LCSH, LC Classification), and experience using DACS, EAD, and MARC. 4) Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail. 5) Computer and Internet literacy. 6) Understanding of social media and its use in promoting greater access to library collections. 7) Supervisory experience. 8) Knowledge of Connecticut or New England history. 9) Experience in cultural and educational organizations. Additional requirements: Must be able to climb stairs and stepstools, move and lift books and boxes in excess of 30 pounds, wheel carts, sit at a computer for extended periods, and tolerate dust and odors associated with collection activities. Some weekend and evening work required. For a complete job description, see <a href="http://newhavenmuseum.org/images/stories/pdf/librarian_job_announcement.pdf" target="_blank">http://newhavenmuseum.org/images/stories/pdf/librarian_job_announcement.pdf</a>. To apply, please cover letter, résumé, and three references to <a href="mailto:search@newhavenmuseum.org">search@newhavenmuseum.org</a>. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Librarian & Curator of Manuscripts - New Haven Museum

Librarian & Curator of Manuscripts - New Haven Museum . The New Haven Museum seeks an innovative professional with demonstrated experi...

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Fabulous eyes

I received a compact eye color from Influenster to test for being a Blogger. I love using eye shadow to add a little extra color to my fair skin complexion. I love how it came in a compact rather than in separate containers with many colors. I've always been a fan of this brand of makeup also! They have the most amazing colors and they last all day too! I love how you can control the amount of color you want on. I also love that it's cheap as well and that it comes in many shades of color for everyone's taste. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8E3zALfNdDrNaOGXQ36MJS6Ca6DE1ldZldRQMJvp7nxcvqfMffhC-ciBjdcXAsadXIpzwJMJ4Pmibqx6Wg7NZEbDnzpm1LfypklsA3pXIFpZATL-gr7M6SL8u-X__w9yk6Hw0maKml4/s1600/nyc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8E3zALfNdDrNaOGXQ36MJS6Ca6DE1ldZldRQMJvp7nxcvqfMffhC-ciBjdcXAsadXIpzwJMJ4Pmibqx6Wg7NZEbDnzpm1LfypklsA3pXIFpZATL-gr7M6SL8u-X__w9yk6Hw0maKml4/s320/nyc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <a href="http://newyorkcolor.com/">http://newyorkcolor.com/</a>

Fabulous eyes

I received a compact eye color from Influenster to test for being a Blogger. I love using eye shadow to add a little extra color to my fair ...

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Soft Silky Skin

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcsj1rxLOiTY0Jyam7khEGUfg2AHJyvsAxaahg8kwO3RcZ4AuZdlKDXOx9R_LmRCCPFLK0l4tOFvSqC86cXxHbFZ1jiBpVYTWd0HEXpEdt6d_I7IU7wvXTX_enLZj6OcdmFO6geMe7pM/s1600/no7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcsj1rxLOiTY0Jyam7khEGUfg2AHJyvsAxaahg8kwO3RcZ4AuZdlKDXOx9R_LmRCCPFLK0l4tOFvSqC86cXxHbFZ1jiBpVYTWd0HEXpEdt6d_I7IU7wvXTX_enLZj6OcdmFO6geMe7pM/s320/no7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> I was so excited to get the No.7 cleansing Balm and night cream for Dry/Very Dry skin in the Beauty Blogger Vox Box from Influenster. I have very dry irritated skin and I am always trying out different lotions. Love how the cleansing balm removes makeup to make your skin healthier looking and very soft instead of drying it out! Then I applied the night cream and it works very well! My skin has never been so soft in it's life and I love how I could feel it working right away.

Soft Silky Skin

I was so excited to get the No.7 cleansing Balm and night cream for Dry/Very Dry skin in the Beauty Blogger Vox Box from Influenster. I hav...

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Tidbits

Some tidbits from cleaning up my inbox:<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.archeworks.org/chicagoexpander/">Chicago Expander at Archeworks</a></b>, a new research initiative looking for applicants for their <a href="http://www.archeworks.org/chicagoexpander/?cat=1#january-13">first workshop</a>:<br /><img alt="tidbits12-1.jpg" src="http://www.archidose.org/Blog/tidbits12-1.jpg" title="Chicago Expander at Archeworks" /><br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.cca.qc.ca/en/exhibitions/1781-first-the-forests">First, the Forests at CCA</a></b> until January 6, curated by Dan Handel:<br /><img alt="tidbits12-2.jpg" src="http://www.archidose.org/Blog/tidbits12-2.jpg" title="First, the Forests at CCA" /><br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.iea.com.pl/realizacjeInfo.php?index=25">The Malopolska Garden of Arts</a></b> in Krakow, Poland, by Ingarden & Ewy Architekci, recently completed:<br /><img alt="tidbits12-3.jpg" src="http://www.archidose.org/Blog/tidbits12-3.jpg" title="The Malopolska Garden of Arts" /><br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.iconichouses.org/">Iconic Houses</a></b>, a "unique resource for travellers and lovers of 20th century houses":<br /><img alt="tidbits12-4.jpg" src="http://www.archidose.org/Blog/tidbits12-4.jpg" title="Iconic Houses" /><br /><br /><b><a href="http://edibleinfrastructures.net/">Edible Infrastructures</a></b>, "an investigation into a mode of urbanism which considers food as an integral part of a city’s metabolic infrastructure":<br /><img alt="tidbits12-5.jpg" src="http://www.archidose.org/Blog/tidbits12-5.jpg" title="Edible Infrastructures" /><br />(For those in the St. Louis area, Darrick Borowski, co-founder of Edible Infrastructure, will be speaking as part of <a href="http://samfoxschool.wustl.edu/events/urbanisms">Wash U's Urbanism(s) conference</a>, which takes place Nov 9-10.)<br /><br /><b><a href="http://tclf.org/sites/default/files/microsites/landscape-patronage/index.html"><i>Landslide</i> 2012</a></b>, TCLF’S annual thematic compendium of threatened and at-risk landscapes:<br /><img alt="tidbits12-6.jpg" src="http://www.archidose.org/Blog/tidbits12-6.jpg" title="Landslide" /><br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.nicobaumgarten.net/books/leer/"><i>LEER</i></a></b>, a book by Nico Baumgarten "about ordinary life in an ordinary town somewhere in Germany":<br /><img alt="tidbits12-7.jpg" src="http://www.archidose.org/Blog/tidbits12-7.jpg" title="LEER" /><br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.corcoran.org/exhibitions/enoc-perez-utopia"><i>Enoc Perez: Utopia</i></a></b>, at the Corcoran Gallery of Art until February 10:<br /><img alt="tidbits12-8.jpg" src="http://www.archidose.org/Blog/tidbits12-8.jpg" title="Utopie" /><br /><br /><b><a href="http://places.designobserver.com/feature/four-freedoms-park-louis-kahn-memorial-to-roosevelt/36878/">Past Perfect: Four Freedoms Park</a></b>, an essay at Places on Louis I. Kahn's recently completed memorial:<br /><img alt="tidbits12-9.jpg" src="http://www.archidose.org/Blog/tidbits12-9.jpg" title="Past Perfect: Four Freedoms Park" /><br /><br /><b>New York Playgrounds</b>, a teaser for a project that <a href="http://www.manuelalvarezdiestro.com/">Manuel Alvarez Diestro</a>, a photographer specialized on city photography, is currently working on (check out his website for <a href="http://www.manuelalvarezdiestro.com/projects/">previous projects</a>):<br /><img alt="tidbits12-10.jpg" src="http://www.archidose.org/Blog/tidbits12-10.jpg" title="New York Playgrounds" />

Tidbits

Some tidbits from cleaning up my inbox: Chicago Expander at Archeworks , a new research initiative looking for applicants for their first wo...

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My Girlfriend is Gravely Ill, and Sadly...She Won't Shut Up About It!!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrNQI883EpnurPThl9UoQ8WTYRGWM1oMpf9lvBWkeZgo0ayiWsFw_sGY6H9tNtWbQ0uihAFYc1sLiNkvHTfLI7J7x2iHBPBVdoV8zooUXpuRNuY1pfqgBbWGVOCKzZkgEHT8MT0Y0X80/s1600/Schmoop+Sleeping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrNQI883EpnurPThl9UoQ8WTYRGWM1oMpf9lvBWkeZgo0ayiWsFw_sGY6H9tNtWbQ0uihAFYc1sLiNkvHTfLI7J7x2iHBPBVdoV8zooUXpuRNuY1pfqgBbWGVOCKzZkgEHT8MT0Y0X80/s400/Schmoop+Sleeping.JPG" width="400" /></a>Many of you, yet some less frequent readers and listeners of the IWS website and radio show may not, know that my girlfriend, BFF, and OSP Schmoop, is quite ill.<br /><br />Yep, she has developed some type of mass in her bile duct.  It could be cancerous, but…maybe not.  We won’t know until they go in to remove it in a couple of weeks.<br /><br />She has been under medical house arrest for two weeks and let me tell you…IT’S BEEN HELL!!<br /><br />I know…she has turned yellow…Has already had one procedure to temporarily open her blocked bile duct, may have cancer, and will definitely be losing not only the bile duct and her gall bladder, but perhaps parts of her liver, stomach, and pancreas as well, but c’mon?<br /><br />Does anyone recognize what <i>I </i>am going through, and how this affects <i>ME</i>?<br /><br />I didn’t fucking think so, and let me tell you, it hasn’t been easy on me, because well…The Chick Won’t Shut Up About It!!<br /><br />I know…I know…She is very ill, but come on.  It’s not like she is in pain.  It’s not like she isn’t ambulatory. It’s not like her bodily functions don’t, well…function.<br /><br />She can get around just fine.  She’s very coherent.  She has no pain, and yet, what do I hear all damn day?<br /><br /><i>“Honey could you make me some toast?  Honey could you get me some water?  Honey, I know you are trying to write a post, but I think I want a grilled cheese sandwich and peas for dinner…could you get on that?”</i><br /><br />Yes, I know you have a tube running from your liver and it juts outside from the inside of your body and the aforementioned liver organ, but it’s not as though you are a quadriplegic.<br /><br />It’s not like an innocent stomach tube and the potential of having cancer should prevent an otherwise able-bodied woman from making her own God Damned grilled cheese sandwich!!<br /><br />My God woman, step up your game!!  I cannot fight your possible cancer on my own!!  But…<br /><br />I don’t necessarily blame you entirely…for perhaps, maybe it was I who fucked up, and unknowingly enabled and unleashed your sense of ego-centric neediness by buying flowers for you the other day.<br /><br />I think I regret that…no…I know that I regret that, especially because I didn’t go ahead and pick up that pound of hamburger that was on sale when I went to the grocery to get your flowers.  So?<br /><br />Okay…that one is on me, but anyhoo…<br /><br />Let me just say…It’s not like you can’t help out around the house during the day instead of laying there watching TV while you fail to collect a paycheck.<br /><br />Yes I know…You tell me everyday that you will be having surgery in order to remove what could possibly be cancerous material, but until then, it wouldn’t hurt you, and in fact, it would be therapeutic for you to tidy up around the house while I am working at the Beer Mine.  After all, you don’t want your muscles to atrophy.<br /><br />You could start by cleaning the bathroom.  You keep telling me it’s disgusting and that I should clean it, but seriously, when you clean out you’re your stomach tube every day, the bile goes everywhere but the bathroom sink, so when I think about it, that mess is all on you.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8GxbQ9mxXFUN7VR1vwSsgyFOOAUMm85LKFjE103zImMsFN4M7j39VnFgUF-VAsNniTyNgpuiZUrXpxHZ_pvGV3ieHtKSanaSyiHIdDt3Cid6CNwwatcJ2gJN4rJKPXdfasLRZkaCqRk/s1600/Superman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8GxbQ9mxXFUN7VR1vwSsgyFOOAUMm85LKFjE103zImMsFN4M7j39VnFgUF-VAsNniTyNgpuiZUrXpxHZ_pvGV3ieHtKSanaSyiHIdDt3Cid6CNwwatcJ2gJN4rJKPXdfasLRZkaCqRk/s400/Superman.jpg" width="266" /></a>Another thing…You aren’t working.  You aren’t drawing an income.  Are you expecting me to find an additional job?  Of course you are, and that’s okay…I can work the Beer Mine, a part-time job, AND do the website and radio show…no problem.  It’s not like I’m not Superman!!  Unbelievable!! Thoughtless at the least.<br /><br />Lastly, and this is directed to all my friends on Facebook, Twitter, through the show and the website, and my family…<br /><br />It’s nice to hear from you every day asking me how Schmoop is, but seriously?  Could you once in awhile ask me how <i>I</i> am holding up?<br /><br />Schmoop’s potential cancer is turning me into a wreck, exhausting me, and it’s not fair. I suffer too y’know!!<br /><br />I mean sure…She may soon be losing parts of 4-6 to internal organs, but man, as you can see…<br /><br /><i>I’m</i> the one who is hurting.<br /><br /><i>Cheers!!</i><br /><br /><i>Matt-Man</i><br /><i><br /></i> <i><a href="mailto:mattmaniws@ymail.com">mattmaniws@ymail.com</a></i><br /><i><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://twitter.com/MattMan_IWS" target="_blank">@mattman_iws</a></span></i><br /><i><br /></i> <i>And by the way folks...Jayman and I did another great radio show yesterday as we broke the 2012 Presidential election down and made lots of fun of Dick Morris.  If you missed it, you can catch it here:</i><i><br /></i> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.adobe.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" height="105" id="143577" name="143577" width="210"><param name="movie" value="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf?file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2Fplaylist.aspx%3Fshow_id%3D3989447&autostart=false&bufferlength=5&volume=80&corner=rounded&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/flashplayercallback.aspx" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf" flashvars="file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2Fplaylist.aspx%3Fshow_id%3D3989447&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=210&height=105&volume=80&corner=rounded" width="210" height="105" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" wmode="transparent" menu="false" name="143577" id="143577" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object></div><div style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center; width: 220px;"></div></div>

My Girlfriend is Gravely Ill, and Sadly...She Won't Shut Up About It!!

Many of you, yet some less frequent readers and listeners of the IWS website and radio show may not, know that my girlfriend, BFF, and OSP S...

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Half Dose #110: The Drawing Center

This morning I visited <a href="http://www.drawingcenter.org/">The Drawing Center</a> before its grand reopening reception this evening. (The reopening was postponed due to Hurricane Sandy, but unfortunately today's Nor'easter is hitting New York City with wind and snow.) The Soho-based institution's home was "reinvented" by <a href="http://www.wxystudio.com/">WXY Architecture + Urban Design</a>. Below are photos and impressions from my visit.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8164685448/" title="The Drawing Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Drawing Center" height="455" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8164685448_ae14fb44cf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Like many tenants in Soho's historic cast iron district, it is easy to just walk right by The Drawing Center, not realizing what is inside. Four corinthian cast-iron columns frame the entrance and large pieces of storefront glass on the side that are labelled with the name of the institution and the current exhibitions. Aside from the necessity of dealing with the landmarks commission, this subtle presence seems appropriate to me, given that the subject of The Drawing Center—drawings, of course—situates the institution somewhere between the purely historical and the new constantly striving for attention.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8164650285/" title="The Drawing Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Drawing Center" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7128/8164650285_acb13e8d18_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />Movement from the street to the galleries is via a lobby with a ticket counter and some books on display. Many of the titles displayed on custom shelves are the fantastic <i><a href="http://www.drawingcenter.org/pub_books.cfm">Drawing Papers</a></i>, which are inexpensive titles focused on particular exhibitions or topics (I had to resist purchasing #94, <i><a href="http://www.drawingcenter.org/pub_books.cfm?fid=167">Paul Rudolph: Lower Manhattan Expressway</a></i>). The lobby is a good space for the transition from the public realm to the private realm (in terms of personally experiencing the artworks) beyond. Compare it to many galleries in Soho and Chelsea where visitors are confronted by the art directly upon entering. Here, the gallery is through some glass doors and around a wall that blocks views into the space (you'll have to take my word, since I don't have a good photo of that, at least not from the lobby side).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8164685818/" title="The Drawing Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Drawing Center" height="480" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8062/8164685818_7f7f9e18f1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The main gallery is an open space that is Soho-like in the way the cast-iron columns march down the middle of the space. The walls of the main gallery are currently occupied by Guillermo Kuitca's <i>Diarios</i>, in which the artist "has taken failed and discarded canvases, stretched them over an abandoned table from his parents’ garden, and then spent periods of time ranging from three to six months creating intentional and accidental doodles, drawings, and recordings on their surfaces." Not surprisingly, I'm drawn to one that has what looks like a floor plan as its canvas:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8164651653/" title="The Drawing Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Drawing Center" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8058/8164651653_6c36fac5fc_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />The photo below is another view of the main gallery, but this time looking in the direction of the lobby. Note the partial-height wall in the center—the one I mentioned—around which people maneuver after walking through some glass doors. The latter are particularly important, because they further cut down on the sounds (and other things) of the city, helping to create a quiet and relaxed environment for experiencing the art.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8164687116/" title="The Drawing Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Drawing Center" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7258/8164687116_b5d0c42516_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />At the rear of the building, just beyond the main gallery, is the "drawing room." The door leading to it is visible in the photo below. What is also apparent in the shot is the cove lighting that combines with the track lighting to brighten the walls on the sides of the space. This cove is the first of a few really nice details that I noticed.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8164686214/" title="The Drawing Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Drawing Center" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8345/8164686214_d728f7044f_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />Below is a close-up of the end of the cove light. The high ceiling appears to curve down to meet the edge of the wall below the low ceiling, which is articulated like a James Turrell Skyspace, where the edge looks like it doesn't have any thickness to it. Combined with what I'm guessing are small LED strip lights, the cove detail has the appearance of being all surface and light, though it's safe to say that a lot of complicated detailing and construction went into it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8164687358/" title="The Drawing Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Drawing Center" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7120/8164687358_63b8108a14_z.jpg" width="606" /></a><br /><br />The drawing room (below) is similar to the main gallery—white drywall, wood floors, perimeter lighting—but smaller. The appropriately petit artworks on display are José Antonio Suárez Londoño's <i>The Yearbooks; </i>some are shown in cases, but most are pinned to a wall below more cove lighting.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8164653051/" title="The Drawing Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Drawing Center" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8201/8164653051_f4552a2c8a_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />But the light on this back wall is actually natural light coming from a skylight that is out of sight. The curve of the main gallery's cove is here reversed, as the high ceiling curves down to the rear wall. Two or three feet below the high ceiling is the low ceiling with another knife-edge. Again, surface and light conceal the facts of construction.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8164652873/" title="The Drawing Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Drawing Center" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7118/8164652873_9afa400004_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />One reason that the drawing room is its intimate size is that a stair is located between it and the main gallery. This straight-run stair leads down to the "the lab," where <i>In Deed: Certificates of Authenticity in Art</i> (a very meta and kind of odd topic) is on display. The wood stair is like a special object that is inserted into the drywall-lined opening:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8164651939/" title="The Drawing Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Drawing Center" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8164651939_111eb985a9_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8164651255/" title="The Drawing Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Drawing Center" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8164651255_a9dc223199_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />Near the lobby, but tucked to the side by the elevator, is a second stair. Instead of wood, this one is steel, with concrete treads. It is a more utilitarian stair, but this does not mean that it is not as considered as the wood one, or like the coves for that matter. The guardrail is especially nice, made of one piece of roughly 1/2-inch-thick steel finished with a gray coating.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8164685602/" title="The Drawing Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Drawing Center" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7127/8164685602_7c0532b0d3_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />What is interesting about the stair is the way the pickets between the code-compliant 4-inch openings vary, going from narrow at the bottom to wide at the top. Like The Drawing Center itself, it's easy to miss this rhythm, but once you discover it (and The Drawing Center) you're better off for it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/8164650471/" title="The Drawing Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Drawing Center" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7259/8164650471_0515ececfa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>

Half Dose #110: The Drawing Center

This morning I visited The Drawing Center before its grand reopening reception this evening. (The reopening was postponed due to Hurricane ...

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smiley360.com—Be Heard. Be Happy.

I'm a member of Smiley360 and I get to test out products for free and then keep them!<br /><br />I have been a member for quite sometime now and have been on great product missions.<br /><br />If you love trying out new products before you buy you can!<br /><br />Sign up today to become a member!<br /><br /><a href="http://smiley360.com/?refid=79791#.UJqu00KsIb0.blogger">smiley360.com—Be Heard. Be Happy.</a>

smiley360.com—Be Heard. Be Happy.

I'm a member of Smiley360 and I get to test out products for free and then keep them! I have been a member for quite sometime now and ha...

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The myth of the passive job seeker

<br /><div class="RXart" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-right: 20px; text-align: left;"><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="margin-top: -30px;"><div class="hdr_org_bld" style="color: #ff6600; font: normal normal bold 18px/normal arial, helvetica;"><h1 id="articleHeadline" style="color: #000066; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="cbArticle_lblHeadline">The myth of the passive job seeker</span></h1></div><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">By Mary Lorenz, CareerBuilder Writer</span></b><br /><div class="cb_share_more_wrapper"></div></div><br /><div class="ArticleContent"><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="media-image" src="http://art.icbdr.com/sites/all/files/styles/large/public/passive%20job%20seeker.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div>"We need to get rid of the words 'active' versus 'passive,'" says Kassandra Barnes, research and content manager at CareerBuilder. "They just aren't relevant words in the job-search landscape anymore.'' Barnes is referring to the findings of <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">CareerBuilder's</a> and <a href="http://www.inavero.com/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">Inavero's</a> 2012 Candidate Behavior Study, which highlights the behaviors and perceptions of today's job seekers.<br />One of the survey's major findings was that, employed or unemployed, the vast majority of workers are almost always seeking new opportunities. Of the 1,291 workers nationwide who participated in the survey, 77 percent said they were either actively searching for a new job or open to new opportunities, and 35 percent said they begin preparing for their next job within weeks of starting a new one. When it comes to frequency, 71 percent of workers said that searching for new opportunities is part of their regular routine, whether or not they're employed, with 27 percent searching as frequently as once a week.<br />These findings weren't unique to any particular demographic segment. Workers of both genders and across various income levels, generations and backgrounds reported similar attitudes and behaviors.<br /><br /><strong>How employers should treat all job candidates</strong><br />Given these findings, employers should stop thinking of job seekers in terms like "passive" and "active," since a majority of workers are constantly on alert for new job opportunities. Instead, employers who want to hire more effectively should focus less on finding passive job seekers, since most workers are casually browsing opportunities and employers at any given time.<br /><br /><strong>Why employers run into hiring roadblocks</strong><br />The other danger in using these labels is that it can inadvertently derail the employee search, causing employers to miss out on perfectly qualified workers. "Employers tend to think of active and passive candidates in terms of bad and good," Barnes says. "Yet passive candidates are not necessarily better than active candidates. If anything, they might even be less ambitious or willing to leave their current company." Employers do themselves a disservice by ignoring the active candidates who have shown interest in their companies.<br />"Think of recruitment in terms of running for political office," Barnes says. "Why would you try to sway a Republican to be a Democrat -- or vice versa -- when you should really focus on re-energizing your base population?" For hiring managers, their base is active job seekers, so it only works against them to ignore or discredit this group.<br /><em>Mary Lorenz writes for </em><a href="http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;"><em>The Hiring Site</em></a><em>, </em><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/msn/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;"><em>CareerBuilder.com's</em></a><em> community for hiring professionals and other curious-minded individuals to discuss the attraction, engagement and retention of their #1 asset -- their people.</em><br /><br /></div></div><div class="clear" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; text-align: left;"><h2 style="color: #c7560a; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">Related Articles</h2><ul style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li><a href="" id="mxsrRelatedArticles__ctl1_cbhlRelatedArticles" style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">INFOGRAPHIC: How to make a resume shine</a></li><li><a href="" id="mxsrRelatedArticles__ctl2_cbhlRelatedArticles" style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">5 career paths for retail workers</a></li><li><a href="" id="mxsrRelatedArticles__ctl3_cbhlRelatedArticles" style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">Can you switch careers and remain financially stable?</a></li><li><a href="" id="mxsrRelatedArticles__ctl4_cbhlRelatedArticles" style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">9 jobs that pay $95,000 a year</a></li></ul><iframe class="Ad" frameborder="0" height="240" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="NO" src="http://ads.adsonar.com/adserving/getAds.jsp?placementId=1266420&pid=617757&ps=-1&zw=326&zh=240&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.careerbuilder.com%2f%3flr%3dcbrockl%2fJobSeeker%2fcareerbytes%2fCBArticle.aspx%3flr%3dcbrockl%26ArticleID%3d3207%26%26strcrit%3dQID%3dA6659272956687%3bst%3da%3buse%3dALL%3bCID%3dUS%3bSID%3dCO%3bTID%3d0%3bENR%3dNO%3bDTP%3dDRNS%3bYDI%3dYES%3bIND%3dALL%3bPDQ%3dAll%3bPDQ%3dAll%3bPAYL%3d0%3bPAYH%3dgt120%3bPOY%3dNO%3bETD%3dALL%3bRE%3dALL%3bMGT%3dDC%3bSUP%3dDC%3bFRE%3d30%3bCHL%3dal%3bQS%3dsid_unknown%3bSS%3dNO%3bTITL%3d0%3bOB%3d-modifiedint%3bRAD%3d30%3bJQT%3dRAD%3bJDV%3dFalse%3bHost%3dUS%3bMaxLowExp%3d-1%3bRecsPerPage%3d25&v=5" vspace="0" width="326"></iframe></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial,helvetica; font-size: xx-small; text-align: left;"><b>Article Reprints</b></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial,helvetica; font-size: xx-small; text-align: left;">Permission must be obtained from CareerBuilder.com to reprint any of its articles. Please send a request to<a href="mailto:reprints@careerbuilder.com" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">reprints@careerbuilder.com</a>.</span>

The myth of the passive job seeker

The myth of the passive job seeker By Mary Lorenz, CareerBuilder Writer "We need to get rid of the words 'active' versus 'p...

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happy blog birthday

This is a glimpse into me, and I perfect example of my non-blogging life. I forgot my blog birthday. It was two weeks ago (better late than never). I am not at all good with dates and not big on birthdays.<br /><br />But I DO want to take a minute to thank all of you. I had small but specific plans for this little blog - a chance for me to get back to writing and a photo album of this house that I love so much. I know everyone says this but it is true - I really didn't expect anyone, except my mom, to read this. <br /><br />However it has turned into far more. I have made some great friends and met so many wonderful and TALENTED people. You all keep me inspired and I thank you.<br /><br />So happy blog birthday to us! May the next year be full of great ideas, fun projects and all things wonderful.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQwsligQhRagnQqAPaRLCW5BpjLESPEohQPIC8DlMNVqWZnPC3_ry6AAxkeazp1gogvOmsG9E83AWySql3pXkJhOtm5OW5d88faBmEe0_fFxF0yDedK34MaYhk-dqIqEz0HVYoRvV3VXv/s1600/page13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQwsligQhRagnQqAPaRLCW5BpjLESPEohQPIC8DlMNVqWZnPC3_ry6AAxkeazp1gogvOmsG9E83AWySql3pXkJhOtm5OW5d88faBmEe0_fFxF0yDedK34MaYhk-dqIqEz0HVYoRvV3VXv/s400/page13.jpeg" width="333" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/" target="_blank">Real Simple</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />

happy blog birthday

This is a glimpse into me, and I perfect example of my non-blogging life. I forgot my blog birthday. It was two weeks ago (better late than ...

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Your Personal Decision 2012: Whose life is it anyway?

Living for someone else is to abdicate the role you were born to play.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg934JA1By9SIzYXZgIyv8jSjE-hPP4wBYYChqoGxkoHTd-NBPCo-GsU-CHKWhQlAB9XmYxIdO62tKRUmnV3ak3GGhgKfEyUxNMpneLFxuQOqIRxYT4lL7gjTRqkyagFCPoVsO_mdEbjcbv/s1600/bigstock-Time-Management-2623974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg934JA1By9SIzYXZgIyv8jSjE-hPP4wBYYChqoGxkoHTd-NBPCo-GsU-CHKWhQlAB9XmYxIdO62tKRUmnV3ak3GGhgKfEyUxNMpneLFxuQOqIRxYT4lL7gjTRqkyagFCPoVsO_mdEbjcbv/s320/bigstock-Time-Management-2623974.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />You have decisions to make this day about YOUR life. Call this your own personal Decision 2012.<br /><br /><b>We all have to take account of our lives.</b> Good coaches review game film with their players, likewise, it is healthy to review the game film of our own lives to determine how things need to change or move on.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7hdg9Ea2UpC-ijr_H-_x-1GZTHrvSF18w9IBX81pkc_qdHxD166cfSVlSt8RsIEHil0bMB7nd3Mu2UF6J6G7Y5IOdSvQfhoVI1mjgOGMkC1fKMK5yV_dwwZIXRpbg5OBTT8SR1WwQDdO/s1600/bigstock-Dirty-Laundry-942807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7hdg9Ea2UpC-ijr_H-_x-1GZTHrvSF18w9IBX81pkc_qdHxD166cfSVlSt8RsIEHil0bMB7nd3Mu2UF6J6G7Y5IOdSvQfhoVI1mjgOGMkC1fKMK5yV_dwwZIXRpbg5OBTT8SR1WwQDdO/s320/bigstock-Dirty-Laundry-942807.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feelings are like laundry - when you've got too much, the<br />only way to sort it out is to dump it out.215</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Feelings are kind of like laundry - <b>when you've got too much, the only way to sort it out is to dump it out</b>. But, <b>where </b>you dump those feelings should be well selected. Some people use their blog or Facebook page or Twitter account as some sort of therapist. Social media has its uses but it is a God-awful therapist. Do you realize that it is inclined to agree with you, even when someone needs to look you in the eye and tell you to go down a different path? Sometimes I am WRONG and so are YOU. On social media it is way too easy to be "liked" all the way down a path to the incinerator.<br /><br />So, when you choose to dump your laundry of feelings out on that table and sort it out - I, personally, think face to face with a friend or someone who can help you is better than doling it out piecemeal upon your timeline or status update.<br /><br />Personally, I take great caution during these times when I sense I'm overtired, overstressed and overemotional. I take your eyes very seriously - some of you read what I write and that is a gift of your time. I want to be honest and transparent but also to be helpful. Not everything belongs out there, particularly because exhaustion causes your emotions to not line up with reality and dirty laundry is always pretty gross.<br /><br />I also know, however, that as I travel this life, the most helpful posts I write are from the fray. A captain who has weathered a storm has more credibility than a new recruit from the academy setting sail for the first time. As I live through my son's senior year and the mixed emotions is brings, these are things many of you identify with or will identify with very soon.<br /><br />Like a person approaching the end of the best milkshake she's ever tasted, the last sips are often savored and are the sweetest -- growing full, she still wants to enjoy those last drops. That's me. I sat yesterday at the state One Act Play competition and while the play tied for fourth at state, my son won one of the best actor awards at State. I was there for the whole thing. I didn't blog. I didn't tweet. I didn't even read my latest Mitch Rapp novel. I just watched plays and enjoyed the last sips at the bottom of this cup of my son's high school career.<br /><br />It is far too easy to worship others - that includes children. I will make no pretense of worshipping my own children at the expense of my health, but I am thankful for the time to savor these moments.<br /><br />There are a lot of technology things to share with you and those are coming, but today, I feel inclined just to encourage you to live your life well. Enjoy those students. Enjoy your family. Rest sometimes so you can functions. Take time to have an emotional laundry moment with your God or dear friend who is close enough to want that sort of load dumped on their table. This is a time of year with many mixed feelings and emotions and you'll want to take care of yourself so that you'll have something left to take care of those children in your care whether you are a parent or teacher.<br /><br /><h3><b>Living for someone else is to abdicate the role you were born to play.</b></h3><br />Take time today to make a list of the roles you were born to play. Replay in your mind how you are playing those roles right now and put things on your schedule NOW that need to happen - phone calls, visits, and time spent living this life you were born to live. Teaching is a noble calling but we have enough martyrs to the cause. Right now education doesn't need any more martyrs who quit because they are emotional wrecks, we need livers -- not chicken livers but live-ers -- people who can live as successful, healthy, happy functioning teachers who make a difference in this world.<br /><br /><h2>L<span style="font-weight: normal;">iving for someone else is to abdicate the role you were born to play.</span></h2><br /><br />- Written on my iPad using Blog Press by Vicki Davis, author, Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds

Your Personal Decision 2012: Whose life is it anyway?

Living for someone else is to abdicate the role you were born to play. You have decisions to make this day about YOUR life. Call this your o...

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America the Beautiful Hot Mess

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />Hola Revolutionaries! As of the writing of this post, I don’t know who will win the election. The “data” says Obama will, but my gut says Romney. That’s mostly because my gut usually expects the absolute worst in every situation. It doesn’t really matter all that much who wins though, not because “They’re all alike!” or because “They’re basically the same person!” but because this country is almost completely ungovernable. We’re out of control here and nobody seems to be able to reign us in. We need a complete overhaul.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31dNdRTk2c_iysZmfT9lzFBhSzhkNJJp0a0qvT-qlJ9nyofTwMXC6tGu9rWON6Okl4v4Npo99LyJl3b6TZvvO5jUaF5qD7ZbFqrw01qzqk_J_Yam92e_Q8VC3x6GnD4sYuPeutaculv4/s1600/Jay+and+Cosette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31dNdRTk2c_iysZmfT9lzFBhSzhkNJJp0a0qvT-qlJ9nyofTwMXC6tGu9rWON6Okl4v4Npo99LyJl3b6TZvvO5jUaF5qD7ZbFqrw01qzqk_J_Yam92e_Q8VC3x6GnD4sYuPeutaculv4/s320/Jay+and+Cosette.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The first thing we need to do is change the way we elect our president. Hell, we need to change the way we elect everyone from Dog Catcher on up. Does anyone actually live in a place where the Dog Catcher is elected? Where did that “He couldn’t get elected Dog Catcher” come from? If it was an elected position I would run for it and hand our fliers showing how much I love dogs and how much they love me. That way people would feel like I wouldn’t hurt their wittle pup-eeee if it got loose.<br /><br />Having two main candidates and a slew of crackpots and potheads running for president isn’t really the problem. I’d be fine with fifty candidates. What I hate is that the two major party candidates raised and spent a combined TWO BILLION DOLLARS this election cycle. That’s an outrage. Most of it was spent on TV ads that were ignored, bitched about and even cut out completely by people who watch things on their DVR or online.<br /><br />What’s worse than that though is how we actually vote. We simply MUST nationalize our voting laws. We can’t have fifty states voting under fifty different laws. There needs to be some sort of consistency here. And to me, that consistency would be to do all voting by mail. Every state would have to send out the ballots one month before the election and they have to be post marked by the day of the election when sent in. There should be ballot collection places all over town and it should be made as easy as possible. Get rid of the rigged touch screen voting machines, get rid of the punch cards, butterfly ballots and especially get rid of all the little quirks that each state’s laws have. It’s maddening and results in people giving up trying to vote in many places.<br /><br />Then we have to do something about the length of the campaigns. People are already trying to position themselves for the Iowa Caucuses coming in up in 2016! The party primaries drag out for months and months and of course fundraising has to start a year or more in advance. Then the general election is a whole summer of negative ads, people yelling at each other, fake outrages, fake scandals, GAME CHANGERS and all the other stuff that helps turn voters off.<br /><br />Then we’ve got to completely overhaul infrastructure in this country. We can drive a remote controlled dune buggy around Mars, but if the power goes out for two minutes here in Redneckville, the cable, phone and internet takes two hours to get back online. We need to modernize our electrical grids and move utilities underground. We need to shore up coastal areas from New Orleans to Florida right up the East Coast to NYC that have been ravaged by storms over the last decade. We need to improve the public transportation systems all over the country including building high speed rail to connect major metro areas and we need to repair and replace hundreds of thousands of miles of highways and bridges.<br /><br />We need to end the wars both abroad and at home. End the war in Afghanistan; we’re not accomplishing anything over there now, if we ever were at all. Stop meddling in the internal affairs of every tiny piece of shit country all over the globe and focus on protecting our borders and our people. Most of all we need to end the War on Drugs™.  It’s the longest and costliest war we’ve ever fought and Drugs won a long time ago.<br /><br />What’s most important though is that we need to remove the most important obstacle to doing these things. We have to stop letting the 20 to 30 percent of the people who oppose all forms of progress and who believe every tinfoil hat conspiracy that shows up in their email every day. We’ve got to stop appeasing these people, ignore their “It’s a plot by the United Nations to take over and turn us into a Socialist Islamic Theocracy and outlaw Christianity” bullshit. Let the Lizard Brains just stew in their idiocy and the rest of the country full of normal, intelligent and reasonable people move forward.<br /><br />Yeah, I know. You’ll only agree to this if YOUR GUY wins.<br /><br />Fuck you America.<br /><br />Jayman<br /><a href="mailto:Jayman3768@gmail.com">Jayman3768@gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/jayman_iws" target="_blank">@Jayman_IWS </a><br /><br /></div>

America the Beautiful Hot Mess

Hola Revolutionaries! As of the writing of this post, I don’t know who will win the election. The “data” says Obama will, but my gut says Ro...

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