Just another manic Monday

I'm a bit later than I wanted to be with posting my blog tonight.

Notes from the Home Front

I had an interview for a position in a busy call center today. The two ladies who interviewed me where very nice and described the position perfectly.

When I woke up though, because this weather is just a killer, all I did was cough, sneeze and blow my nose. It was apparent to me that these allergy symptoms may have had to be addressed during my interview. Does anyone else find that a bit embarrassing? Or do you think it gives the idea that you are sick other than having allergies?

Because of the timing of the interview, and the time zone difference, my call to Ohio State University - Horticulture and Crop Sciences Department will need to wait until tomorrow. Meanwhile, the cucumber plants are almost 5 inches high. There is still only one little green pepper plant coming up. I do hope there will be more soon.

Not sure if this has been mentioned or not, but I also planted gladiola bulbs and the plants are growing like weeds. It'll be interesting to see them bloom up against my balcony door while still in the living room.

In local news, it's going to snow tomorrow night. To the west, north and south of me they expect anywhere from 6 to 36 inches of it. I would expect that IF we get snow in my area, it'll melt quickly as the roads are warm. It was 70 degrees + here today.

News Stations and News Stories

While watching a local program this morning, the newscaster incorrectly reported information within his story. Tonight, on one of the local news stations, another story was reported incorrectly. Because it's my belief that the news should be an up-to-the-minute correct information vehicle. I wrote to both of them citing their inaccuracies and inserted the correct information with links. What would you have done? Perhaps I'm cursed with my ability to pay attention to detail.

Unemployment, Twitter and the Use of Hash-tags

I'm sure you are all familiar with the Sonny & Cher song "The beat goes on". Well on the unemployment front it seems as though the beat has almost died and is taking millions of us with it.

This morning I received a phone call in reply to an email I wrote regarding being a part of a documentary on people who have been unemployed for over a year. It was a nice conversation, even though they were really looking for people in the New York City area. Who knows, they might expand the area outside of New York. Anyway, the woman who "interviewed" me and I used to live in the same town in New York, what a small world!

For those still looking for work, I recommend using Twitter. Tonight, I participated in the "twitterchat" under #jobhuntchat. There are many good people there and they offered up some really great advice. You might want to check it out. Other hash-tags that might be useful are ones for the city you reside in or the city where you are looking for work, add another hash-tag #jobs. You may also wish to do a search in the area of your expertise. During the "twitterchat", I also learned of another place to share your Linked In profiles - #HiringFriday is found on Facebook.

Phone call Wednesday

It's almost that time again to contact your state US Senators and Congress people. Remember to make your phone calls and to write to the major news stations regarding Tier 5 to Survive and how we need this before they go on another break.

And as always -

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day to all my friends. Was a gorgeous day here, in the 70s, sun shining, the trees and flowers continue to bloom. My allergies get worse as Mother Nature beautifies the world.

Yesterday, I wrote about online reputations. Today, through a tweet, I learned of a website to view just how people view you. It's called http://www.webmii.com/. Along that same topic, there is a website that informs you what to do with abuse over the internet which also includes by email. The address is: http://www.abuse.net/users.phtml.

Not much new on the unemployment front but MSNBC wants to hear from people who have been unemployed for a year or more. Find the comment box by following this link. It's VERY important to STAND UP AND BE HEARD! Please fill out the form today! Credit to the US UNEMPLOYED blog editor. To view their blog, there is a link to the right on the sidebar.

Special thank you today goes to my dearest friend who purchased a coffee maker for the times I am there to visit!

Hope everyone's day was a great one!

Why?

Today was the birthday of a friend of mine - Happy Birthday dear friend! This same friend sent me something worth republishing. I thought it was cute and funny.

With time, women gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies.

So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated, and happy.

Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror
I will think, Good grief, look how smart I am!!

Must be where 'Smart Ass' came from!

Notes from the home front!

Although the sun was out, today was breezy and cold. Allergy season is still ongoing. Because of allergy season, my stock tip of the day is to buy stock in tissue companies. Just kidding of course.

Tomorrow is Mothers Day! Happy Mothers Day to all my friends!

The cucumber plants are still growing strong, but the green pepper seeds have only sprouted one small plant.

Do you keep your online reputation clean?

There are some people who can't help but air their dirty laundry to the public. Why is that? Is it because we are just names without faces or that the person doesn't think that anyone will ever meet them? I've seen online arguments, talk of calling seated officials on a persons behalf, and explicit details of marriages, to name a few. By airing dirty laundry, does this make anyone feel better? From my own observation, I'd just rather run, block or ignore the person. Any comments, thoughts?

Let me tell you a story ... I'm going to change the names "to protect the innocent and not-so innocent".

When Mary has a problem with John, they should be able to talk it out and come to some resolution. This past week, my friend, John, was attacked by an aquaintance, Mary, online. Mary continued to post untrue tid-bits about John via social media. Because I'm friends with John, Mary decided to try to pull me into the problem. When I wouldn't bite, Mary attacked me through emails and chat. Just because I am friends with someone doesn't mean that I should be put in the middle of something that has nothing to do with me. I have no doubt that the attacks and derogatory statements will go on from Mary (who now looks like the fool that she is). Seeing her "in action", there is no doubt that she will recruit her friends to act on her part.

The moral of the story - act like an adult, instead of a child, and when you are wrong, don't swear at the person who proved it.

Unemployment news, it's sad

The good fight goes on regarding Tier 5. People have been calling and faxing to Washington DC. There is talk of city by city, state by state protests.

Thank you to @thejobsguy who posted the following story on Twitter:
Juju.com Releases Job Search Difficulty Index for US States (May 2010)
The article can be read by following this link.

There was another link to an article by another tweeter -

Tier V Unemployment Extension: Pushed To The Side Yet Again

Please read the article here, and click the link for change.org and sign the petition.

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

And so, my day comes to a close.

If you "Tweet", it's Follow Friday #FF

I'd like to thank you all for following my blog. Having followers is a huge honor for me.

News from the Home Front

This morning, I have made a few phone calls and received some as well. On Monday, I have an interview! WOW! Incredible! The vacancy that I will interview for is in training. For the past 5 years, that's been a part of what I have done.

After searching the internet for articles on re-potting cucumber plants, there was one article that was close to what will help me. The Ohio State University - Horticulture and Crop Sciences. I obtained the phone number for the "Master Gardener" while on the phone with the university and will call him regarding the transplant of my little tender plants. More on that later ..... I missed out on calling today (because of the time difference) but will definitely call on Monday for advise on what to do.

On the unemployment front, though, nothing has changed and it appears as though our US Senators and Congress people will happily go on vacation leaving those of us who are running out of unemployment benefits 'out on the clothesline' to dry up and go away. Don't stop calling and writing .. STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

Shortened URLs

For the past year or so, people have been posting links to pictures, articles and websites via shortened URLs. What I have observed from these is that you can't tell where you are really being directed to. You all know that when hovering over a link it will show the address of where you will land. While I respect that Twitter, by use of TweetDeck, gives you the option to shorten a url, how do we know what the long address was? In recent time, I am guilty of shortening urls but it is my belief that once you trust a person, there should be no problem clicking on the link unless you suspect that the persons account has been hacked.

Until today, I never knew that there was a way to view the original address with shortened URLs. Some valuable information on knowing the original web address from shortened urls - on bit.ly links add a "+" to the end of the link and you can see the original link and how many people have clicked on it, for is.gd links add a "-". A huge thank you to Jason who provided that information.

Something disturbing

"Tensions are rising at a California high school (Live Oak High School) where five students were sent home for wearing American flag T-shirts on Cinco de Mayo." Fox News reporter, Joshua Rhett Miller, reported.

You can read the whole article by clicking here. What are your comments on this story? Should the students wearing American flagged shirts been sent home or not? It makes me wonder what would have been done if school was in session on July 4th and students went to school wearing the Mexican flag on their shirts. Do you think that the school official who stepped in was acting prematurely in his actions?

It doesn't bother me that "ethnic" groups want to show support of the countries that they've come from - ie: St Patrick's Day Parade, Columbus Day Parade. Yet, on those days, people wear shirts of any style and nothing is considered to be tense.

My opinion is that increased exposure to laws etc. regarding illegal immigrants have spurred on these occurrences.

English as an Official Language

As I have noted in another post, English is the official, by law, language of Colorado (where I live) but did you know that it is the official language in over 35 states here in the US. You may wish to click here and check the law for your own state. Perhaps this is why those students felt it was "politically correct" to wear proudly their shirts with American flags on them. California IS an English speaking state.

My allergies are killing me today!

Notes from the Home Front

I woke up today with the runny, half stuffy nose, watery eyes and an annoying cough. Apparently, the blooming trees, which are beautiful, are having an adverse affect on me. It took almost an hour to get my eyes to focus correctly. I've taken just about everything on the market and some prescriptions for this, none of these seem to work. Getting poked and feeling prodded through allergy tests is not something that I want to do. Any suggestions? One of those "homemade or natural" suggestions would be best.

The cucumber plants will be re-potted today, once they started to sprout up through the dirt from seed, they have really grown in a short amount of time. The green peppers haven't really started to come up but I'm looking forward to when they do. Green peppers in the grocery store are outrageous in price ... I've seen anywhere from 79 cents to $1.00 EACH! Wondering how onions would grow in pots, that would save me even more money. Has anyone planted other vegetables on the balcony?

Your suggestions are appreciated!

While browsing through the gadgets that can be added to my blog site, I found several for CNN news. Anderson Cooper is an amazing reporter, he'll be in Tennessee today to report on the devastation from the flooding. It is my opinion that he gives the most accurate reporting on issues and what is going on - live - in and out of our country. Any suggestions on gadgets? I really don't want anything in another language nor world clocks or calendars.

Unemployment and Federal/State Taxes

Another issue, it's bad enough that we are unemployed but to slap us in the face with Federal and State tax taken out could even be worse. This year I made out better by having NO federal or state tax taken out of my unemployment benefit. While on unemployment, as a bonus, we should not be expected to pay Federal and State taxes.

More on the "unemployment slap", states have adopted JPM Chase visa cards to put your unemployment benefit on. This causes a HUGE problem if you don't have a branch in your neighborhood, and you can be assured that you will be losing your unemployment money on FEES. More on that as soon as more research is done on it. Does your state do this? Colorado does but we have the option of a "Chase card" OR direct deposit. Bet you know which I decided on.

Fees

Please visit a wonderful blog site for more on fees that we should be aware of and avoid at:

http://feesanddeals.blogspot.com

While there you can listen to the numerous podcasts that are summarized by the blog. I can promise you that you'll learn something there.

Great Customer Service IS expected!

Banks

In the past year, my bank has been the worst in all the years I've been with them combined (almost 10 years). Why can't anyone pay attention anymore?

The first time, when I requested that a check be deposited while I sat at the drive-thru (I even WROTE on the back "for deposit only"), the tube came back with an envelope of CASH! Imagine my surprise that a clearly marked document including me telling the teller - DEPOSIT! I wonder how this happens but it has to deal with "attention to detail" and the lack of it.

The next time this problem of lack of attention happened at my bank was - in short - that money should have gone directly back into my account from a closed account (yes, at the same bank) and instead came to me by CHECK! What part of DEPOSITED BACK means MAILED CHECK? On this issue, I had made several phone calls, then asked to speak to each supervisor because what I was told by several customer service reps didn't seem believable. After the many phone calls, I went to my local branch and explained AGAIN my story that started out at her branch and to the point of where it was. When she called the service department and announced herself as a "store manager" she was given the same consideration and lousy service as I had received. We "thought" the situation was fixed until I had inquired to my bank via email - NOPE! At least my branch manager noticed my frustration and shared in it. Although it wasn't much, she did offer, which I took, a $10 gas card for my time and troubles.

Do others also experience these problems?

What does "loyal long time customer" really mean?

When I went to deposit the check, at the same local branch, I inquired about their "rewards program". I had two different answers that day from two different people at the bank. When I got home, I had to call the corporate office and inquire about which was true. After one more phone call, I received the correct answer. Why do we have to go through this?

The result - after calling the corporate office of my bank, I wrote a follow-up email to the CEO, about a week later a letter arrived by "snail mail" from an office in Portland Oregon. This letter did not really "make my day" instead the tone was .... so big deal, we are apologizing, and now will impose more fees to make your life miserable. Sheesh!

So on to the other duties of the day ...

Wednesday is make the phone calls day!

Another gorgeous day outside, blue skies, trees blooming in all their bright colors! This alone can brighten a persons spirits. My cucumber plants are about 4 inches tall now and need replanting!

Here are the results of my phone calls today!

Yes, I keep handy a document with all my US Senators, US Representatives phone numbers and in addition the names and email address of all my State Senators and State House Representatives. If you're in Colorado and want my list, please ask! I make it a habit to share information!

With that said, my first phone call was to the White House! Yes, folks, I call them too! Since I had written to President Obama about a year ago through the comments section on the White House page (link) and hadn't received a reply, my question was "how DO I get a reply and a visit to the White House to meet with President Obama and VP Biden?". The reply was to write a letter, and send it via 'snail mail'. The address is: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20500. It is encouraged that you send your letter by express mail and mark it with the words "Urgent" and/or "Attention: President Obama". My letter will go out at the latest early next week.

From the Great State of Colorado, we have 2 US Senators and 7 Representatives in Washington DC who are supposed to be doing good work for their constituents. I called each and every one of them today. While calling each of these politicians, I realized that some of their staff members are VERY savvy, intelligent and on top of the issues. (you both know who you are and I thank you). Others couldn't give me more than "I'll pass your information/comments along", one took my email address.

I asked each office questions on what was going to be done with unemployment and what their individual politician was doing about it, I expressed my displeasure with my state politicians for defeating SB10-039, a job re-training scholarship program that I mentioned here on my blog just this week. Also, when speaking with each staff member I mentioned that the percentage rate of unemployment in my state is NOT correct. The way to get an actual percentage rate is to monitor those persons who have run out of unemployment benefits and are still unemployed. When that is done, the percentage rate of unemployment is actually HIGHER than advertised. Why can't anyone do a COMPLETE job in calculating this?

Even though during these conversations more may have been said, the comments as I logged them are NOT word for word but in a rough style that I could reference later.

What my Senators and Representatives think!

Again, my little comments are notations that I made from conversations with STAFF members and NOT from any conversation with each politician.

5/5/10
11:29am
Michael Bennet - call (202) 224-5852 DC office
- unemployment YES

11:32am
Mark Udall - 202-224-5941 DC office
- voicemail or press 1 for staff
- doesn't know stand on unemployment
- working wall street

11:37am
- Diana DeGette - District 1 (202) 225-4431
- will get an email on her stand on unemployment

11:42am
- Jarod Polis - District 2 (202) 225-2161
- will forward my comments on unemployment

11:47am
- John Salazar - District 3 (202) 225-4761
- will send my comments to John

11:50am
- Betsy Markey - District 4 (202) 225-4676
- trying to make jobs

11:53am
- Doug Lamborn - District 5 (202) 225-4422
- will pass along my comments regarding unemployment and extensions

12:00 noon
- Mike Coffman - District 6 (202) 225-7882
- credits for business, stop the spending, and give more to constituents

12:18pm
- Ed Perlmutter - District 7 (202) 225-2645
- intent of the leadership to do something about unemployment

So dear readers, make yourself heard too! Use this link for finding your US Senators, Representatives and Governors to make calls for your state.

What to do with Wall Street

It's my expressed opinion that Wall Street shouldn't have received ANY bailouts. They made this mess, they should have been told to buck up and make things right. Instead, they were given YOUR money and MINE, has anything really gotten any better? If you agree that they haven't, and if you use Twitter, use #bankshowdown and take some time to read. THEY still OWE US money! Perhaps they should have been allowed to fold, then have the crumbs swept under the rug (so to speak).

If you are angered by Wall Street, use the following links to obtain their addresses and phone numbers to call and write to them!

For JPM Chase: Chase CEO emails - found at http://consumerist.com/2008/05/contact-information-for-chase-ceos.html

For Wells Fargo: John.G.Stumpf@wellsfargo.com and executives http://consumerist.com/2008/09/contact-info-for-wells-fargo-ceo-john-stumpf-and-friends.html

For Bank of America: BoA CEOs http://consumerist.com/2010/04/reach-bank-of-americas-ceo.html

For Citibank: Vikram.Pandit@citi.com

Now it's time for me to get on with other things on my list .....

Comments are welcome!

And as always:

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

Used with permission from http://usunemployed.blogspot.com/

With so many of us unemployed, I wanted to share this with permission from the owner of the blog entitled US Unemployed.

Please use any way you know how or use the links below to send the message. WE ARE MAIN STREET and we're NOT putting up with anymore. We NEED Tier 5 and perhaps more!

There is also a link on my blog for finding out who your US Senators and Congress people are. USE IT! CALL them, each and every one! Make YOUR VOICE HEARD!

Now, if we can send a fax. We can surely send out an email. It only takes a few minutes to type an email out and if there is a message pre-prepared it can only take seconds. We are also going to need help from other sources. We need the help from the media outlets such as WorldNewsVine, Gather, MLive.com, and the Examiner to help spread awareness to this cause. We also need to spread this cause by comment forums that already exist. Everyone who is unemployed who wants to participate in this campaign needs to have access to this opportunity to send a Media S.O.S.

Here is a sample message you are more than welcome to copy/paste (or write your own):
(If in some boxes the message may be too long to fit. If so, simply edit it however you wish. Just make sure you include the dire need for Tier 5 Unemployment - If I had only three words I could say as an SOS it would be "Tier 5 Unemployment").

This message is a Media S.O.S from the long term unemployed - Main Street needs a bailout and the long-term unemployed need your help. For too long the issue of high unemployment has plagued this country. We, the unemployed, have lost our jobs due to no fault of our own and still cannot find work and we need your help due to lack of jobs. We need a Tier 5 Unemployment Extension from the United States Federal Government and we need your journalism and coverage of this issue to urge members of Congress to muster the "political will" for action. As you know, there are many districts, counties, and states with double-digit unemployment numbers and Congress has neglected those who have exhausted the maximum amount of 99 weeks. There are not enough jobs for every unemployed American and millions have lost their safety net and millions more will lose this vital assistance in months to come if action is not taken. Your media coverage of this issue should be simple. All you need to do is Google "Tier 5 Unemployment". You will see the efforts of those advocating for a Tier 5. You will see other news sources such as WorldNewsVine, Gather, Examiner, DailyKos, HuffingtonPost, The LA Times and many others who have already reported on the need for a Tier 5 Unemployment Extension. However, you will not find your report. We are asking you to take up this cause and educate your viewers to this problem and please understand that the unemployed are without a safety net and there are not enough jobs for every American and Congress is not taking action. Neither Democrat, nor Republican members of Congress are willing to help the millions without hope. Will you help tell the story to larger audiences of Americans who may not be aware that we are at or below poverty and Congress is not taking action? Millions of Americans are depending on the staff of your network to do the right thing and cover the need for this unemployment extension. The extension for filing weeks recently done by Congress does nothing for the longest-term unemployed who are in dire straits right now and are being ignored. Please help by reporting on this issue. Not reporting or under-reporting on this issue does not cure the problem. It only seems to make the issue fester.

There is no need to sign your message. Most mainstream sources use a comment box for your Name and E-Mail. Nothing else is required but a few seconds of your busy day. Please visit the contacts below and write your own message or just copy and paste the message above. Do it for yourself, your friend, your neighbor, or anyone you know who is unemployed. Do it for your country. If the jobs do not exist then the unemployed deserve attention from the United States Government. The power of the mainstream press has always informed the American audience and the long term unemployed who have exhausted benefits are just as important of a story as any other story on mainstream news today. Mainstream media needs to be covering this story.

Target Contact ABC'S "This Week" with George Stephanopoulos: http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3428174 (This is a very quick and easy form to fill out, please send it off).

Target Contact CBS News' "Face The Nation": http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/feedback/fb_news_form.shtml?tag=ftr (Another easy form to fill out, very simple. From the drop-down menu choose the option for "Face The Nation" (just for the sake of having a dramatic impact on one mailbox). If you want to target more shows, go for it. Just have your copy/paste ready and it should be a breeze to do.

Target Contact NBC - MSNBC "Meet The Press": http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10285339/ (Once again, another form that has a drop-down to choose "Meet The Press". We want to flood one particular source. If you want to send the same message to other sources, by all means. It would not hurt one thing.

Target Contact FOX News Sunday: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,77538,00.html (Yes, I know. However, one cannot look at their ratings and not declare them as mainstream. Additionally, one of their frequent guests, Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) declared in March that long-term unemployment extensions were going to be extended to 103 weeks and then even further. This link has a list of email addresses. Email Fox News Sunday at: fns@foxnews.com. Just another quick copy/paste job.

Target Contact CNN: http://www.cnn.com/feedback/tips/newstips.html (The form found at CNN.com is just a plain "Contact Us" Form. It will get to the right people if they want to do a story on it. CNN also has a Sunday political show called State of the Union with Candy Crowley. The person(s) who sort these emails will redirect them to the appropriate department.)