Archive for January, 2011

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Full Faith and Credit


31 Jan

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Posted in Discrimination, Gay Marriage, Politics | Comments Off

One of the reasons the Articles of Confederation failed was that states did not have to recognize the laws of other states.

The Full Faith and Credit clause in the Constitution was tested multiple times, most famously with the Dred Scott case, where it was ruled a free state had to give full faith and credit to the laws of a slave state. And that was a good thing.

Gay marriage and adoption, legalized marijuana- states still want to ignore the laws of other states. But we have Full Faith and Credit. Its time state governments were reminded of that.

Advice for Job Seekers


30 Jan

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Posted in Work | Comments Off

I had my share of frustrations as a job seeker. Now, I get to see the frustrations from the other side of the process, as I help our hiring managers find the right candidates for a job. If you are currently looking, let me give you some advice.

Don’t blanket a company with your resume.

 Even if you want to work for the company, make sure you are applying for jobs you’re actually qualified for, ones that your experience matters in.

Read the posting.

Modify at least you cover letter to highlight the skills the hiring manager is looking for.

I Heart the Constitution


29 Jan

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Posted in Politics | 1 Comment »

I love the Constitution, every word and 2/3s. I love the Federalist Papers, and I even love the Articles of Confederations. Why? Because they aren’t perfect. Because nothing and no one is perfect.

So our founding fathers struggled, and their successors struggled, and have continued to struggle, to this very day. We grow, we adapt, and our government changes! But we don’t throw out the old, we keep it; we keep it for everyone to see. We keep it, because our government is based on a solid principal, the goal of forming “a more perfect union”, and we’re getting there.

Challenger: My First Memory of Tragedy


28 Jan

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Posted in Science, Technology, Television | Comments Off

I remember seeing the Challenger explode on TV at home, the whole family watching it on the Today show as we ate breakfast, like we watched all shuttle launches. I was 10.

It happened too late in the day for that memory to be fact. But I remember the important parts, the shock and the sadness, the disbelief, and gratefulness that our teacher hadn’t been chosen, the bad jokes that came perhaps too soon.

My father recorded the news coverage. He still has VHS tapes of the Challenger exploding. 25 years later, I don’t think I could watch without crying.

Women in Red Racers


28 Jan

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Posted in Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Finances | Comments Off

When you become a racer, you decide what debt you most want to get rid of, then go write down the exact amount of that debt- no fudging, no rounding. Each month you track what you’ve paid off.

The captains keep track of it all and do weekly shout-outs and awarding smiley faces to encourage the racers.

Sometimes you’re the hare- we paid off a full 1/3 of our race last year. And sometimes the tortoise- expecting it to be another 4 years before our race is won. But you have a goal and people to help you get there.

I want a beach house


27 Jan

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Posted in Finances, Home Ownership | Comments Off

I have this love of looking at real estate. Not too far from where I live is the coast. And at the coast, the market is as depressed or more so than it is here. That means that when I do a search for houses that have at least 4 bedrooms and cost under $100k in that area, I get 20 results.

Most need some work. But a 1913, 5 bedroom, 2.75 bath house near the beach for $64,900- I’ll take that, thanks.

Then I remember that we’ve been hit by the recession too, and I go back to looking.

Lebanon’s Day of Rage


26 Jan

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Posted in International Politics, Politics | Comments Off

I’m going to keep coming back to Lebanon. The people are upset about where the government is going, and there may even be a rival government forming. I would normally say that I don’t condone violence, but if democracy has ever had a peaceful birth, I’m not aware of it.

When the people are willing to fight and die to found their government, that’s when a democracy or republic can actually work, because the people are invested. They say birth is a beautiful thing. If you want to see democracy born in the Middle East, keep your eyes on Lebanon.

How much is your public school worth?


25 Jan

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Posted in Discrimination, Racism, School | Comments Off

An Ohio mother was convicted of 3rd degree felony grand theft of $30,500, and sentenced to 10 days in jail with three years probation. The felony charge means she won’t be able to obtain her teaching certificate (which she has been going to school for).

Why? Because she used her father’s address on forms so her girls could go to a better school.

Ignoring the racism (and ridiculousness), lets look at the dollars. $30,500 for 2 kids, for 2 years. That’s $7,625/ year. Ohio State charges $6,102/year’s tuition at a regional campus. Is your public school worth more than university?

Dear 100 Words On…


25 Jan

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Posted in Finances, Reading, Relationships | Comments Off

Confession: I am addicted to advice columns. Dear Prudie, Margo, Miss Manners, Travel Troubleshooter, it doesn’t matter, I love them. I’ve never been a big fan of the daytime talk show, but I love reading about the train wrecks.

And now with internet columns, you can give your own advice, as well, in the comments section. So if you disagree with the maven, or just want to add your two cents, you can, though I generally don’t.

This may feed my love of the money boards. It’s like an advice column, only, people are actually asking for the group’s advice.

Calculus Tutor Needed


24 Jan

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Posted in Marriage, Relationships, School, Science | Comments Off

My husband is back in school and taking a combination calculus and physics course. I like math. I started undergrad as a secondary ed/math major. I took calculus in high school and calc II twice in college, getting a D in it the second time. At that point, I decided that math wasn’t the major for me.

And now, ten plus (and it’s not an insignificant plus) years later, I’m trying to remember it to help my husband with his homework. It’s frustrating because things look familiar, but I can’t remember how to get from point A to point B.

 

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100 Words On

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