Just like in childhood I can't run fast enough to get away or fast enough to tag someone else so I am the proverbial 'It'. At least blog tagging isn't as painful as real tag. So here goes...
10 Years Ago...Can't really remember all that much, I was scrapbooking so I should have record of what I was doing, maybe I'll try and dig out those albums and post a page or two. That should be good for a laugh. I'm pretty sure that was the year my friends and I dressed up as characters from Grease, rented a party bus and went bar hoping for my birthday.
5 things on today's to-do list...1.Buy external hard drive 2.Back-up photos and other important docs 3.Make hair appt for next wk 4. Laundry 5.Make a page/sketch for tomorrow's SD blog post.
Snacks I enjoy:Popcorn(especially kettle corn), black licorice, apples, cheddar cheese and wheat thins. This list could really go on and on.
Places I've lived: Pueblo, CO(5 different houses/neighborhoods), Anchorage,AK, Boulder, Co(again several different locations) Evergreen, CO, Atlanta, Ga, Chattanooga, TN
So now I'm supposed to tag 5 people, but I hear the recess bell ringing so I'll just have to tag another time.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
10 on Tuesday...the late edition
Oops, I let another Tuesday slip by with no list. I'm such a slacker, never fear I have a special Wednesday edition.
It's that time of year where we interview for new teachers. After 10 years of being an interviewer, I have some definite opinions of Do's and Don'ts for interviewees and after yesterday feel a strong urge to share them publicly.
1. Do read the posting carefully.
2. Do research on the company before your interview, if possible go beyond the website and try to glean as much information as possible. Work your research into your answers.
3. Don't be wishy washy in your answers. It's totally ok to ask for clarification on what an interviewer is asking so that you can be specific.
4. Do listen to the question and if I ask you to give me an example of a situation and reolution be very specific. Don't pretend to be perfect and say you've never had this situation because that tells me you don't have enough experience. Try to find an example that's most relevant to the job you're applying for. Ex: Tell me about a time you had to deal with a confrontational student/parent/employee/customer and strategies you used to resolve the situation. I would answer that question with one of the following --- autistic boy who used to scream at the top of his lungs all day and the steps I took to build a relationship with him, a mother who cussed me out for suspending her son and 1 month later called and asked for help, or my all time fav supervisor/employee termination story where the employee called his mom during the termination.
5. Do dress in business attire for the interview, even if your research says it's a casual workplace. My personal preference is that you also remove piercings in places except for your ears and cover as much as your body art as possible. You want me to focus on your answers and behavior, not staring at the giant ball in your chin. If your piercings are an important part of you and your look do ask in the interview if the company dresscode allows you to wear them.
6. Do prepare some questions and make sure to ask them. Often times the questions you ask me are weighted as strongly as the answers you give me. I am looking for someone who cares about my mission and is not timid.
7. Do be up front about your compensation needs either before the interview or during. Nothing ticks me off more than calling a candidate and then being told 'I can't work for that much money' when they knew how much the position paid before they even applied.
8. Do be ready for the standard questions. Have great answers for the following
* Why do you want to work here?
* Why are you the best candidate?
* What are your strengths? if you struggle with this question I highly recommend Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham.
* What are your weaknesses?...and don't say I'm a work-a-holic. It may be true, but I might just think that your not efficent with your time and have to work late often because you spent to much time chit chating or surfing the web during the day.
9. Do mimic/mirror my body language. There have been several studies on successful interviews and they have found that when the candidate mirrors the interviewer they are more likely to be offered the position. Why? Non-verbal language tells me that we're a match and can get along together.
10. Don't talk negatively about a previous employer or place blame for your leaving on another person or member of the team you worked on. As an experienced supervisor, I usually jump to the conclusion that you're a difficult person to work with and I don't want that kind of negativity entering my work environment.
It's that time of year where we interview for new teachers. After 10 years of being an interviewer, I have some definite opinions of Do's and Don'ts for interviewees and after yesterday feel a strong urge to share them publicly.
1. Do read the posting carefully.
2. Do research on the company before your interview, if possible go beyond the website and try to glean as much information as possible. Work your research into your answers.
3. Don't be wishy washy in your answers. It's totally ok to ask for clarification on what an interviewer is asking so that you can be specific.
4. Do listen to the question and if I ask you to give me an example of a situation and reolution be very specific. Don't pretend to be perfect and say you've never had this situation because that tells me you don't have enough experience. Try to find an example that's most relevant to the job you're applying for. Ex: Tell me about a time you had to deal with a confrontational student/parent/employee/customer and strategies you used to resolve the situation. I would answer that question with one of the following --- autistic boy who used to scream at the top of his lungs all day and the steps I took to build a relationship with him, a mother who cussed me out for suspending her son and 1 month later called and asked for help, or my all time fav supervisor/employee termination story where the employee called his mom during the termination.
5. Do dress in business attire for the interview, even if your research says it's a casual workplace. My personal preference is that you also remove piercings in places except for your ears and cover as much as your body art as possible. You want me to focus on your answers and behavior, not staring at the giant ball in your chin. If your piercings are an important part of you and your look do ask in the interview if the company dresscode allows you to wear them.
6. Do prepare some questions and make sure to ask them. Often times the questions you ask me are weighted as strongly as the answers you give me. I am looking for someone who cares about my mission and is not timid.
7. Do be up front about your compensation needs either before the interview or during. Nothing ticks me off more than calling a candidate and then being told 'I can't work for that much money' when they knew how much the position paid before they even applied.
8. Do be ready for the standard questions. Have great answers for the following
* Why do you want to work here?
* Why are you the best candidate?
* What are your strengths? if you struggle with this question I highly recommend Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham.
* What are your weaknesses?...and don't say I'm a work-a-holic. It may be true, but I might just think that your not efficent with your time and have to work late often because you spent to much time chit chating or surfing the web during the day.
9. Do mimic/mirror my body language. There have been several studies on successful interviews and they have found that when the candidate mirrors the interviewer they are more likely to be offered the position. Why? Non-verbal language tells me that we're a match and can get along together.
10. Don't talk negatively about a previous employer or place blame for your leaving on another person or member of the team you worked on. As an experienced supervisor, I usually jump to the conclusion that you're a difficult person to work with and I don't want that kind of negativity entering my work environment.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Tribute
I was very sad to learn that George Carlin had died yesterday. I'm not sure the world will be the same without his satirical slant.
I thought about posting the 7 words routine that made him famous, but it just didn't seem quite right. Instead, a more recent observation on language...
I thought about posting the 7 words routine that made him famous, but it just didn't seem quite right. Instead, a more recent observation on language...
Saturday, June 21, 2008
"Congratulations, You've Been Selected"...
Most of you that know me, know I'm not really into the submitting and contest side of the scrapbook industry. I love to do my work and displaying at the store is usually good enough for me. But I was really feeling like I need a jump start or challenge beyond the usual to get me working and thinking creatively. So...without even looking at the list of challenges, I committed to myself to do an entry a week for the BHG Ultimate Summer challenge.
So I wait until the official start and go online to check out the first challenge. "Use stickers in a new way..."(or something along those lines). Ugh! Stickers? I have an aversion to stickers, and have for a loooong time. Even when stickers were really the only embellishment, I didn't use them. But I committed to myself I would do this. So I found the least offensive stickers I could, really kind of cute if you like stickers and tried to think of something that I could do. Here's the LO I came up (as seen on SD blog on Sunday)
Not too bad, after living with it for a week I think I'm going to add solid color cardstock instead of the grid. So up it goes to BHG and I really don't think about it again, until Wednesday at about 3 pm. My little gmail notifier at work comes on and says an email with the title "Congratulations, you've been selected" has hit my inbox. My heart jumps, it's an hour before the winners are to be posted...I'm so excited, imagine me being a semi-finalist on a sticker challenge. Turns out it was just bad timing...I've really been 'selected' to receive a half year of free issues(that is of course if I subscribe for the next 100 years). Not funny BHG!
There is a silver lining in all of this, I went online to check out the winners and was immediately captivated by this gem of a layout
in my mind totally something worth losing too...turns out it belongs to my amazingly talented friend extraordinaire Becky (check out the link to the left for more of her goodies). She needs our help! Help me avenge BHG's cruel joke by voting for Becky's layout.
So I wait until the official start and go online to check out the first challenge. "Use stickers in a new way..."(or something along those lines). Ugh! Stickers? I have an aversion to stickers, and have for a loooong time. Even when stickers were really the only embellishment, I didn't use them. But I committed to myself I would do this. So I found the least offensive stickers I could, really kind of cute if you like stickers and tried to think of something that I could do. Here's the LO I came up (as seen on SD blog on Sunday)
Not too bad, after living with it for a week I think I'm going to add solid color cardstock instead of the grid. So up it goes to BHG and I really don't think about it again, until Wednesday at about 3 pm. My little gmail notifier at work comes on and says an email with the title "Congratulations, you've been selected" has hit my inbox. My heart jumps, it's an hour before the winners are to be posted...I'm so excited, imagine me being a semi-finalist on a sticker challenge. Turns out it was just bad timing...I've really been 'selected' to receive a half year of free issues(that is of course if I subscribe for the next 100 years). Not funny BHG!
There is a silver lining in all of this, I went online to check out the winners and was immediately captivated by this gem of a layout
in my mind totally something worth losing too...turns out it belongs to my amazingly talented friend extraordinaire Becky (check out the link to the left for more of her goodies). She needs our help! Help me avenge BHG's cruel joke by voting for Becky's layout.Thursday, June 19, 2008
Video Thursday...Throwback time
I know most of you can quote numerous lines from Ferris Bueller's Day Off, but I bet you never thought about those classic scenes like the makers of this little gem.
And while I admit it is slightly disturbing, I thought this is a wonderful example of how critical editing and music are to a film. Not to worry I'm sure the original is playing on basic cable somewhere and you can wash this one right out of your brain.
And while I admit it is slightly disturbing, I thought this is a wonderful example of how critical editing and music are to a film. Not to worry I'm sure the original is playing on basic cable somewhere and you can wash this one right out of your brain.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
10 on Tuesday
So last week was one of those whirlwind weeks that just flew by. We had out graduation and I promise a post on that as soon I get pictures. But today is Tuesday and you know what that means...a list of course.
I remember when I was a kid that summer TV always sucked, now I'm older and have TIVO and cable I have plenty to watch. Here are 10 shows I have waiting for me...
1. Hell's Kitchen
2. The Daily Show
3. Gossip Girl
4. My Fair Lady
5. Tootsie
6. Good Eats
7. Decorating Cents
8. 60 Seconds to Chic
9. Signing in the Rain
10. All of the spring episodes of Greys (you know, in case I go into withdrawal and need a summer fix)
What's in your que?
I remember when I was a kid that summer TV always sucked, now I'm older and have TIVO and cable I have plenty to watch. Here are 10 shows I have waiting for me...
1. Hell's Kitchen
2. The Daily Show
3. Gossip Girl
4. My Fair Lady
5. Tootsie
6. Good Eats
7. Decorating Cents
8. 60 Seconds to Chic
9. Signing in the Rain
10. All of the spring episodes of Greys (you know, in case I go into withdrawal and need a summer fix)
What's in your que?
Monday, June 09, 2008
Monday funny
Sorry if this has been sent to you via email, you can skip it...really my feelings won't be hurt. But for the rest of you...
Washington Post's Mensa Invitational, which once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. The winners are:
1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.
2. Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an asshole.
3. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
5. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
6. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.
7. Giraff iti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously w hen you are running late.
10. Hipatitis: Terminal coolness.
11. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease.(This one got extra credit.)
12. Karmageddon: It's when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, and then the Earth explodes, and it's a serious bummer.
13. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you
14. Glibido: All talk and no action.
15. Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly. 16. Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
17. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
18. Caterpallo r (n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.
Happy Monday!
Washington Post's Mensa Invitational, which once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. The winners are:
1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.
2. Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an asshole.
3. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
5. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
6. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.
7. Giraff iti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously w hen you are running late.
10. Hipatitis: Terminal coolness.
11. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease.(This one got extra credit.)
12. Karmageddon: It's when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, and then the Earth explodes, and it's a serious bummer.
13. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you
14. Glibido: All talk and no action.
15. Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly. 16. Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
17. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
18. Caterpallo r (n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.
Happy Monday!
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Weekend Wind Down
Why oh why do vacation weeks go so fast...I'm not looking forward to getting up bright and early tom. am.
I did manage to accomplish a few things on the never ending list of to-dos (IM test) and managed to scrapbook almost every day during the week. Here are my favorite layouts from the week. This one is my favorite, I just love they way it turned out.
I loved it so much I actually submitted it to Scrapbooks, Etc (I can hear you Emily and Viv). Sadly after submitting, I read through the latest issue and on page 100 is a layout very similar to mine. Oh well, at least I tried.
I think this picture of Connor makes this layout, perfect for these fun new papers from Prima's Just Corina "Dude" collection.
Then I did this one for the weekly sketch on the SD blog. I think I've been collecting every purple supply in the store to do a layout with these cute pics of Sienna in her cute purple hat.
I did manage to accomplish a few things on the never ending list of to-dos (IM test) and managed to scrapbook almost every day during the week. Here are my favorite layouts from the week. This one is my favorite, I just love they way it turned out.
I loved it so much I actually submitted it to Scrapbooks, Etc (I can hear you Emily and Viv). Sadly after submitting, I read through the latest issue and on page 100 is a layout very similar to mine. Oh well, at least I tried.
I think this picture of Connor makes this layout, perfect for these fun new papers from Prima's Just Corina "Dude" collection.
Then I did this one for the weekly sketch on the SD blog. I think I've been collecting every purple supply in the store to do a layout with these cute pics of Sienna in her cute purple hat.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
86 Photos?!?
Yep, that's how many I downloaded from my little field trip to the Botanic Gardens yesterday. Don't worry, I didn't post all 86. Just a few of my favorites, it was a great opportunity to play with my camera settings and see how much I remember from my winter photography class.
In addition to the fabulous flora and fauna, the gardens are also having an art exhibit...Urban Nature. Amazing pieces of artwork created using spray paint.
Ok so maybe I posted more than a few, it was hard to choose...
I wish you could smell these pictures, the smell of lilacs was still lingering in the air, combined with the roses just starting to bloom...perfection, truly what I would imagine heaven to smell like. I really didn't want to leave, but after sitting and relaxing for an hour I didn't the next best thing...went to Whole foods and bought Peonies and Daisies to take home and sit on my nightstand as a reminder of a lovely day.
P.S. With this post, I set a new record for blogging in a year and it's only June... admittedly not a great record, but progress is progress...YAY me!
In addition to the fabulous flora and fauna, the gardens are also having an art exhibit...Urban Nature. Amazing pieces of artwork created using spray paint.
Ok so maybe I posted more than a few, it was hard to choose...I wish you could smell these pictures, the smell of lilacs was still lingering in the air, combined with the roses just starting to bloom...perfection, truly what I would imagine heaven to smell like. I really didn't want to leave, but after sitting and relaxing for an hour I didn't the next best thing...went to Whole foods and bought Peonies and Daisies to take home and sit on my nightstand as a reminder of a lovely day.
P.S. With this post, I set a new record for blogging in a year and it's only June... admittedly not a great record, but progress is progress...YAY me!
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
10 on Tuesday...10 things Denverites should know
On one of my late night blog surfing runs I came across a blog where a man was on a mission to take 100 pictures that would reflect the quintessential people and places of his town. (Santa Barbara, Ca I think.) I've been thinking about it for a few months and combined with overheard conversations about Denver celebrities and at least one person not knowing said celebrity, I think it's time to start compiling a list of things/people/places one should know if living in the Denver Metro(yes even us suburbians) area. Clearly my list is biased to my experience, but anxious to see what others add. As with all Tuesday lists number does not necessarily denote ranking...
1. John Elway...until the Broncos win another superbowl and it could be a looooooong wait John will be at the top of the list for sports celebrities. He makes my list because he was really the only thing consistent in my childhood/early adult life. It didn't matter whose house I was, Sundays meant the Broncos and John
2. Red Rocks...no better place in the country to see a live concert.
3. At least one current player or coach on every sports franchise. Take your pic,just know someone. My recommendations: Jay Cutler-Broncos, Allen Iverson-Nuggets, Joe Sakic-Avs, Clint Hurdle-Rockies Manager
4. City Park/Zoo/History Museum and the neighborhoods surrounding.
5. Botanic Gardens...I suppose you could loop this in with #4 but I was just there today and it was so beautiful it gets it's own number
6. City/County Building Hall
7. Art Museum
8. Your closest light rail station
9. Brown Palace Hotel
10. Performing Arts Complex
Now it's your turn...who, what, where would you add...
1. John Elway...until the Broncos win another superbowl and it could be a looooooong wait John will be at the top of the list for sports celebrities. He makes my list because he was really the only thing consistent in my childhood/early adult life. It didn't matter whose house I was, Sundays meant the Broncos and John
2. Red Rocks...no better place in the country to see a live concert.
3. At least one current player or coach on every sports franchise. Take your pic,just know someone. My recommendations: Jay Cutler-Broncos, Allen Iverson-Nuggets, Joe Sakic-Avs, Clint Hurdle-Rockies Manager
4. City Park/Zoo/History Museum and the neighborhoods surrounding.
5. Botanic Gardens...I suppose you could loop this in with #4 but I was just there today and it was so beautiful it gets it's own number
6. City/County Building Hall
7. Art Museum
8. Your closest light rail station
9. Brown Palace Hotel
10. Performing Arts Complex
Now it's your turn...who, what, where would you add...
Monday, June 02, 2008
Vacation Mission 1...Accomplished!
The Travel Album is finally ready to go to the store. This class/album has been a true labor of love. The paper arrived about a month ago, but I had to wait to finish working on another class before I could start. I knew I wanted to use the mask with alcohol inks for the cover and a few techniques from a CKU class by Debbie Schuh. I had most of it done about a week ago and then was cursed not once, but twice by the Bind-It All gods. Depressed and distraught (can you really be both or are they synonyms?) I couldn't face the book for a week. Last night I felt I could conquer my fears and finally get it ready to take in. After lots of practice on the bind-it all I was once again confident enough to try on the book and voila, finally! a good bind. I had to rework some pages, but I pretty happy with the overall result. Here are a few sneak peaks...
Here's the cover, I think it's my favorite part.
and a few of the inside pages. The goal is to make an album that can travel with you and you can add to as you go. Lots of pockets and envelopes to store treasures along the way. Added bonus...lots of ink techniques, I'm going to channel my inner Tim Holtz.
Just in case you're interested...the class will be on June 18th.
Here's the cover, I think it's my favorite part.
and a few of the inside pages. The goal is to make an album that can travel with you and you can add to as you go. Lots of pockets and envelopes to store treasures along the way. Added bonus...lots of ink techniques, I'm going to channel my inner Tim Holtz.
Just in case you're interested...the class will be on June 18th.
Categories:
7 Gypsies,
Autumn Leaves,
mini albums,
stamping,
tim holtz,
travel
2
peeps with things to say
Quote of the week
Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.
- Albert Einstein
- Albert Einstein
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Double Dip...
I can't sleep...which I can usually cure by random blog surfing and/or organizing my own blog. Tagging, moving elements, etc. In this process, I realized I haven't shared a layout here in quite sometime. Perhaps that's why Hickory, NC has stopped visiting so regularly or maybe it's because I called them out on my data junkie post. Anyway...back to scrapbooking, it seems I've been working on a lot of projects lately, and not too many pages. Lately, about 1 a week seems to be the average. And so that one little layout usually ends up on my post at the store's blog on Sundays. I know most of you go there to, but maybe not Hickory and probably not my mother so for them a repost, if you will, of some recent layouts.
"Sweet Dreams" How cute is Sienna in this one?
"Sweet Dreams" How cute is Sienna in this one?
'A Saturday Adventure' Houston and Rach were great sports when I dragged them downtown on an early Saturday morning. Having breakfast at Snooze was totally worth it. Really, when are yummy mimosas not worth it?
I think my favorite part of this layout is the flower I made using the Scenic Route surf boards from the Grafton line. Wish I could say this was an original idea, but Houston and MK heard about it at the show and I've been waiting for a layout to try it on.
Hopefully, I'll have more to post throughout the week.
The Great American Movie
Tivo has figured out that I really like old movies, especially musicals and romantic comedies. If it has Gene Kelly or Audrey Hepburn, I'm a happy girl. I've been watching quite a few lately and bemoaning, if only to myself, that they just don't make movies like that any more.
Movies where everything comes together...acting, directing, music, camera work turn out something truly special. Captivated. One you could watch over and over again and see something new each time and yet be engrossed in 'the scene' that all great movies have. Something no matter how old or young you can connect to...one that makes you laugh and cry and if really great, makes you think.
I have such high expectations of movies, I rarely go to the theatre to watch...knowing they'll fail in comparison to the classics I love so much. But this weekend was different, a movie with a story line we all know and have been waiting for endings and conclusion. Yes ladies --- Sex and the City hit the big screen and it didn't disappoint. I'm not sure if it will go down as a classic, but I know it will always have a place in my heart. And while I would love to dish about specific scenes and ideas, I don't want to spoil it for anyone. So for now I'll keep my mouth shut and say ... it's worth it!
Movies where everything comes together...acting, directing, music, camera work turn out something truly special. Captivated. One you could watch over and over again and see something new each time and yet be engrossed in 'the scene' that all great movies have. Something no matter how old or young you can connect to...one that makes you laugh and cry and if really great, makes you think.
I have such high expectations of movies, I rarely go to the theatre to watch...knowing they'll fail in comparison to the classics I love so much. But this weekend was different, a movie with a story line we all know and have been waiting for endings and conclusion. Yes ladies --- Sex and the City hit the big screen and it didn't disappoint. I'm not sure if it will go down as a classic, but I know it will always have a place in my heart. And while I would love to dish about specific scenes and ideas, I don't want to spoil it for anyone. So for now I'll keep my mouth shut and say ... it's worth it!
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