Today's the day...

Today is the day that could really make a difference. It's on to Round 2 with the unnamed company! I really feel that we mesh well - I think I have things and experiences to bring to the table. As well, I believe there is so much to be learned from them.

My awesome former boss wrote me an amazing letter of recommendation yesterday. Which...of course...really makes me wish I still worked with her. Oh well... :-) Such is the situation with layoffs.

I always think a difficult part of interviewing is this:

"So, Sarah, do you have any questions for me?"

I always plan these in advance... :-)

Today, I think I have come up with some real stellar questions. Give 'em a read and let me know what you think:

Team 1 Questions:
1 - What would you say are the best and worst aspects of your jobs?
2 - What do you see as keys to being successful at your positions?

Person 1 Questions:
1 - What do you see as an area of opportunity or growth for unnamed company?
2 - How do you think the economy will effect participation in unnamed company?


Well, I'm going to get back to it! Wish me luck!

How is it still Tuesday?

The Onion explores.

Cop sues family of drowning victim

Ridiculous.

Cop Who Fell on the Job Sues Family of Baby Who Almost Drowned

Laughing baby

Maybe the cutest baby ever. Who knew door stoppers were so funny?

I'm back! Well, sorta...

I'm coming out of my blogger silence and hiatus with this story to share:

Minnesota Toe Licker Napped

Please (I beg you), please read this. The picture for the article is worth one million (that's right, million) words...and uproars in laughter.

They all look alike, right?

Most likely you've been embarrassed about it before...but you don't necessarily have to be anymore.

New research shows that it is difficult for people to distinguish faces of different races (he. he....faces...races...that rhymed). Anyway, the research indicates that it's not because we are racists, it's the in-out syndrome.

In a series of experiments, Miami University undergraduates were led to believe that they would view the faces of fellow Miami students (the in-group) and students from Marshall University (a perennial football rival, making them the ultimate out-group) on a computer screen.

In reality, none of the faces, all of whom were white, were students at either university. By merely labeling them, however, the participants better recognized faces that they believed were fellow Miami students.

It is believed that the findings suggest "recognition deficits" can occur "without the need for race or different physical characteristics, arguing instead that there is more than just unfamiliarity with other races at play in the cross-race effect."

According to the researchers, "people frequently split the world up into us and them, in other words into social groups, be they racial, national, occupational, or even along the lines of university affiliation. Our work suggests that the cross-race effect is due, at least in part, to this ubiquitous tendency to see the world in terms of these in-groups and out-groups."

China Bridge Collapses

Kills 29. Injures at least 22.

With America's recent obsession with all things structural, the question is, will we care about China's recent tragedy?

And in other news:
9th body found at MN bridge collapse
South Asia's flood death toll has reached 2,000
Cracking down on crack...
1,340 (367 whom were handicapped) rescued from slave labor in China
Cho may have made a practice run at Norris Hall (Virginia Tech)


And after that, I'm starting a new thing right now. Only good news from now on. I have to start slow....it's a different way of thinking. Here's my first. Yea!
Amazon deforestation reduced dramatically over the last three years

Time - Photo Essays

Tying into my post about perspectives, these photo essays put images to two tragedies - the Minnesota bridge collapse and the monsoons in India.

The first, entitled the Worst Bridge Collapses in the Past 100 Years, is a photographic journey through the heartbreak that surrounds senseless tragedies.

• Photo 3, The Skywalk collapse in Kansas City
• Photo 6, Rainbow Bridge collapse in Qijiang county, China - A government official who ignored signs of decay was sentenced to death.
• Photo 10, Bridge in Bihar, India

The second, entitled Asia's Monsoon, takes you through the affected region. "Though the monsoon is an annual event, this is the heaviest season Bihar has seen in 30 years. The Indian government reports this year's rains have killed over 1,200 since June and displaced some 14 million people."

• Photo 4, Heartbreaking
  
• Photo 7, Waiting for the flood waters to recede, India has yet to see the worst.
• Photo 9, Sad subject - beautiful composition.
• Photo 10 and 12, Nothing but water as far as the eye can see.
• Photo 11, Nowhere else to go.
  

This enrages me...

May I have an abortion, sir?

To think that some people think this is a viable means to control women getting abortions...a signed consent from the fetus' father.

Awesome.

Awesomely ridiculous.

Internet Stalking

No work required.

PC World Magazine has compiled some of the best sites/sights on Google Earth. Peruse, enjoy, stalk in complete anonymity.

In Pictures: The Strangest Sites on Google Earth

Personality Test

It's been awhile since I took the Myer's Briggs personality test and low and behold, I'm still the same.

Your Type is
ENFJ

Extraverted	Intuitive	Feeling	Judging
Strength of the preferences %
22	12	38	44

If you want, take your test here. Comment back what you are. I'd love to know.

Here's a little about my type, you know...just in case you're interested!

• ENFJs are energetic, enthusiastic, and very aware of others. Their genuine interest can usually draw out and involve even the most reserved person. They listen to and support others, but also have a very definite values and opinions of their own, which they will express clearly. ENFJs are energized by people and are socially adept; however, they also have a strong need for authentic, intimate relationships.
• Abstract in their thought and speech, cooperative in their style of achieving goals, and directive and expressive in their interpersonal relations.
• Especially capable of educing or calling forth those inner potentials each learner possesses. Even as children this type may attract a gathering of other children ready to follow their lead in play or work. And they lead without seeming to do so.
• Expect the very best of those around them, and this expectation, usually expressed as enthusiastic encouragement, motivates action in others and the desire to live up to their expectations. This type has the charming characteristic of taking for granted that their expectations will be met, their implicit commands obeyed, never doubting that people will want to do what they suggest. And, more often than not, people do, because this type has extraordinary charisma.
• Found in no more than 2 or 3 percent of the population. They like to have things settled and arranged. They prefer to plan both work and social engagements ahead of time and tend to be absolutely reliable in honoring these commitments.
• Values harmonious human relations above all else, can handle people with charm and concern, and are usually popular wherever they are. But Teachers are not so much social as educational leaders, interested primarily in the personal growth and development of others, and less in attending to their social needs.
• And here's a really good site describing ENFJs that I won't burden you with here.
  

So, take the test. Tell me what you are!

Meme time!

Lane tagged me in the 7 Random Things meme and I just found out. Lucky me, I am bored at work today. I'll get right on this! Yea!

The Rules:

• Players start with 7 random facts/habits about themselves.
• People who are tagged need to write their own blog posts with their 7 things as well as these rules.
• You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog.
• Remember to leave a comment for them letting them know they have been tagged and to read your blog.

Here are my seven randoms:

1. I play volleyball at Hooters. I don't wear the uniform. Don't ask me about it. It's pretty awesome... :)
2. I sleep with the blanket that I have had since I was three. He's called Pink Baby. That's right, he.
   
3. When I'm nervous or embarrassed my face blushes to a bright crimson shade. No hiding those feelings!
4. I try to have breakfast with my dad once a week. I look forward to it a lot, even though I have to get up way too early.
   
5. I would love to live overseas...just for a few years. In the end, I don't think I will feel complete if I haven't done this.
6. I graduate college on Friday, August 13, 2004. So far, so good. No bad luck yet!
7. When I'm nervous (along with blushing) I get very talkative. I don't shut up and I try to make people laugh...usually by being sarcastic. If I don't feel comfortable...and there is a difference between that and nervous, I just don't talk.

Okay - I can't think of seven people that will do this, so I'll just tag the people I think that might... :)

Tagged: Kerpupples, Salmon Pants, Patrick

Best. Line. Ever.

"Frank Garcia, 72, happily pocketed his supply of official New York City condoms, which are packaged with a subway logo."

Oscar's Awesome

"Oscar has a habit of curling up next to patients at the home in Providence, Rhode Island, in their final hours.

According to the author of a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, the two-year-old cat has been observed to be correct in 25 cases so far.

Staff now alert the families of residents when he sits down next to their ailing loved one.

Oscar was adopted as a kitten at Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre.

The cat is said to do his own rounds, just like the doctors and nurses at the home, but is not generally friendly to patients.

Although most families are grateful for the warning Oscar seems to provide, some relatives ask that the pet be taken away while they say their last goodbyes to their loved ones.

When put outside the room, Oscar is said to pace up and down meowing in protest.

Thomas Graves, a feline expert from the University of Illinois, told the BBC: "Cats often can sense when their owners are sick or when another animal is sick.

"They can sense when the weather will change, they're famous for being sensitive to premonitions of earthquakes."

A doctor who treats patients at the home said she believed there was probably a biochemical explanation, rather than the cat being psychic. "


I wonder if Mr. Darcy can do this? Oscar kinda looks like Darcy...but Darcy curls up next to me pretty much every night. His death'dar cannot be trusted.

Bikini-Clad Mowers in Memphis

They'll mow your lawn almost naked! So far, there have been no requests for the male version. Probably because men mow the lawn sans shirt anyway. Why pay more?

Prison's going to be awesome!

And, you know, should I ever have to go to prison...I hope it's something like this...

Another reason to get/stay off the meat...

Japan has come out with a new study claiming that producing 2.2 lbs of beef generates as much as driving a car non-stop for three hours.

"That means that 2.2lb of beef is responsible for greenhouse gas emissions which have the same effect as the carbon dioxide released by an ordinary car travelling at 50 miles per hour for 155 miles, a journey lasting three hours. The amount of energy consumed would light a 100-watt bulb for 20 days.

Su Taylor, the press officer for the Vegetarian Society, told New Scientist: 'Everybody is trying to come up with different ways to reduce carbon footprints, but one of the easiest things you can do is to stop eating meat.'"

Remember, I just went vegetarian in May. So far, so good. I've had recent cravings for meat...but nothing too bad or uncontrollable. There are definitely some good alternatives out there if you choose to go meatless.

-Boca Burgers (I tired the Flame Grilled one) are delicious, absolutely delicious.
-Cedarlane is tasty with a plethora of product offerings.
-Morningstar Farms is ah-mazing. Simply delicious. I have had a ton of their products and have not been disappointed with one of them so far.

And then, of course I am not full on vegetarian since I still eat fish, milk and eggs. But you know, I do what I can and every little bit helps and makes me feel better about what I eat.

What a "Bass"inine Thing to Do!

Ha. Ha. Ha. "Bass"inine! Ha. Ha. Ha. Get it?! Like asinine?! Only with a bass?! Oh, keep reading, you'll get the correlation in a minute.

Oh, it's early...and sometimes...when I'm tired...I crack myself up.

Anywho.

Well, I read an article this morning, while sipping some java and perusing my Google Reader, about Albert Gore.

Good ole Al.

His efforts at environmental conservation and reducing carbon footprints - when his is incredibly large - are well intended. And his Live Earth celebration stirred up much criticism regarding all the air travel and waste that was produced because of the concerts.

It's just, well...you've got to walk your talk...or well, you'll reap what you sew.

Anyway, he's in a new hot-bed of environmental hypocrisy.

Apparently, at his daughter's wedding over the weekend he served Chilean Sea Bass. What's the big deal, you ask? Well, it's only one of the most endangered fish in the world. (Although, you can read this article for a dissenter's opine).

Why do I care? Well, my dad's a fisheries biologist/conservationist...and I, well...dislike hypocrites very much.

Oh well. I just want Gore to be a real conservationist. A real giant for the green. A green giant...if you will.

Happy Wednesday. That's what I've got for this morning. Will be in touch and hopefully not bitter later. :)

Final Period

With the development of a birth control that allows women to never have their periods, Karen Houppert, a NY Times columnist, has some things to say.

It's really good. Read it. I dare you. Period.

Flugtag - Don't Miss It!

Flugtag's free...fun...and well, free. What else do you want from me??

Gates open at 11:00.
First flight is at 1:00.

See you there!