Dandalion's World

Job Hunting

2011-02-20T01:45:00.000-08:00

Well it was time for me to make a new post, so here it is and its about job hunting. As some of you know, I have returned to school to get a degree in Applied Science for Computer Network Systems at ITT Tech. That's fancy talk for the IT guy you call when you crash your system. Anyways, I have been looking for a job that will help me solidify my knowledge in what I am learning. I need to apply what I am learning and that I can get the real world experiance and to learn on the job.

But my frustration is in the application process, it seems that even for entry level positions they want either a degree and or experience, which I am lack in both. How do they expect me to get the experience without letting me do the grunt/entry level stuff?

On line application systems suck! You lose the name to the face factor and get lost in the 100's of applications that they receive. What is it that you can say and do to make yours stand out? I even have tried to introduce myself at the location that I applied at to the HR or hiring manager and have been blocked by the front end employee.

My other issue is that I live in a city that boarders another state and I do not want to work in that other state, for tax and community reasons. I do not want to commute 30 miles away and have to get taxed twice on a job that will only pay a dollar more than minimum.

I HATE JOB HUNTING IN THIS ECONOMY!

The New Year!

2011-01-06T14:16:00.000-08:00

Well, it looks like we all made it to the new year mostly intact! I have been pretty quiet on line because a week before Christmas I had gotten Bronchitis and its been kicking my ass. I am going on four weeks and still find my self having coughing fits.

Having Bronchitis and being a woman (who has birthed three children) is a horrible, horrible thing to go through. All the women out there know what I am taking about and if your not sure.... ask your mother!

Because of this I was not able to do my usual holiday stuff and didn't finish decorating. I was not able to do any of my baking so I have some cookie and pie making to make up! I am going to have to make up some holidays and events for reasons to make my goodies. So I guess everyone is going to get Tax Time cookies and Who Needs to Diet Pie!

So I herald the new year pretty quietly and actually enjoyed my True Blood (season two) marathon with my bottle of bubbly and chocolates. I am at the tail end of my cold and am excited about the coming year. I plan on making more posts and finish up some of my projects. I am still working on Part Two of Losing My Religion and have a few other ideas I am tossing around.

What is it that you look forward to this year? Accomplishments, plans or dreams... feel free to share!

Collecting Things...

2010-12-01T12:41:00.000-08:00

So... I was thinking this morning as I was doing the dishes (this can and has been dangerous in the past) Have you ever started to collect things without really thinking about it or not on purpose?

For example... as I was doing the dishes and washing a few butter dishes, I realized that I collect butter dishes. I know, crazy huh? It seems that when ever I see one, I have to buy it, and its not at a regular store but at a garage sale, flea market, farmer's market or rummage sale. I do not look for butter dishes but just happen to buy the ones I come across. The crazy thing is that I use them. Every time I open a new butter stick I use a clean dish.

So is there something that you have been collecting and not know it?

Holidays and stuff

2010-12-01T12:37:00.000-08:00

Well, its that time of the year and wow did it get here fast! Well I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still working on Part 2 of Losing My Religion and I know I have been pretty quiet other wise on here. I am still a nOOb when it comes to having and maintaining a blog and have been learning a lot. It just has been over a month since I posted anything and I wanted to put something up so it doesn't seem 'dead'.

What are you?

2010-10-22T23:22:00.000-07:00

OK.. tonight I watched the show What Would You Do? on ABC and I cried....

I cried when the people wouldn't stand up for another American because of her faith....

My heart broke when one woman's voice asked for help for a stranger passed out on the sidewalk and no one answered...

This woman had the compassion for a fellow human being no matter what he looked like or what he represented, to help.
We should all emulate her. The ABC website has not put this on their site yet but if you have not seen it. I encourage you to watch and seriously ask yourself... Would you help?

Honestly... I don't know what I would do until I was faced with it... and that scares me more than anything... That I could be apathetic to others in need. Have I become so disconnected or self absorbed that I would walk by a person that appeared to be homeless and drunk but needed help?

That scares me more than anything ...

No matter what your heritage is or what your religion is, your where you live, gay or straight or what political party you belong to... WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON....

We are all humans

We need to stand up for ones being discriminated against because of what god they worship, sexual orientation, homeless person passed out and in need of help or a child needing help...

We are all Americans

No matter what, we need to stand up...

help our neighbors, coworkers, family and yes even strangers.
We are a nation of opportunity,
freedom of speech,
right to choose,
pray to any god we believe in.

We have freedom.
I can confidently say what I feel about our government without repercussion.

Its called freedom.

This is something that we take for granted....

I ask, have you spent any time in another country? Have you REALLY seen what corruption can do? Honestly, have you seen true poverty? If not I challenge you to spend time in a 'developing' country and see what is really out there. American homeless have it better than the poverty of third world countries. Thank what ever god you pray too that you are here.

America is freedom

We forget that not everyone or every country hands that out. We forget that we can talk shit about the current administration (mayors, judges, judicial system, leaders, congressmen or president) and not get get in trouble. We can talk shit about the laws or a government official and know we are protected because of our freedoms. We ALL have these rights as Americans, no matter what god we prey to, or what color we are or who we love.

We are all Americans

I do not care if your Christian, Atheist, Gay, Straight, Black, White, Poor, Rich, Homeless or Just eking by, you are me... American

WE are American

Let's not forget that

I Love Halloween!

2010-10-22T12:33:00.000-07:00

So the other day I was in the local 7-11 and saw they were selling those oh so fun fangs for Halloween. I flashed back to when I was 6 and remember wearing these things and chasing my sister, the dog and anyone or thing that happened to cross my path, because I was the monster of the hallway/backyard and any other hidey hole I could find to pounce on my unsuspecting prey.

So I bought a couple of these for my boys, and somethings never get old or change.. They plotted their attack and waited for me to come around the corner to scare me. I had to take a picture because it was the best dollar I spent all week. (.50 cents each)

So here are my monster!!

Had to share

2010-10-10T00:47:00.000-07:00

At my work I got to do the Halloween display and decided to make a fortune teller's tent. I work in a liquor store so couldn't pass up the pun at the end about spirits. But I enjoyed planning and making this and would of done more but I didn't want to give the devote Christian at my work a seizure.

Hallows Eve is nigh

As nature shares her secrets

Phantoms stir about

The harvest is in

The wheel of time holds its breath

The veil is thinning

Hallows Eve is near

Will O’ Wisps create their fun

Facing winter’s sleep

Visits from beyond

The veil is getting weaker

Ghosts set in motion

The frost has arrived

Darkness falls before our eyes

Hounds of the Hunt roar

Huntsman’s horn echoes

Isle of the Dead is free

Odin’s Hunt is here

The air full of fear

To survive the Wild Hunt

Spirits we offer

A pint or fifth

Courage to face all your fears

Spirits of all kinds

Losing My Religion - Part One

2010-10-03T00:43:00.000-07:00

So I have been thinking a lot lately about faith and religion and want to share my story. I started this thinking that it was going to be a couple of paragraphs, but it has turned into something much bigger. So I decided to make it a two parter. Part one is the background of my religious experiences and it may explain why I ended up where I am today.

Feel free to leave comments and questions and if you want to share any of your experiences. This has been a bit therapeutic for me as well.

I grew up with most of my family being Jehovah Witnesses. My grandmother who raised me never really committed to the the faith but did study and adopted some of the practices, like not celebrating holidays and birthdays. While growing up my aunt would study with me in hopes of me being a witness.

When I became an adult and was living on my own and not being directly involved with the faith I always felt like I was not as close to my family because of my limited practice. So when I was in my early 20s I took the 'leap of faith' and decided to complete my learning and be baptized in the faith of my family and for a short time all was well. I made some friends and became closer to my family.

But, I was in an uneven marriage, my husband was not a JW and it started to become an issue in our relationship along other things. I would take council with the elders of the congregation and would try my best to 'suffer' through my trials. Well, it got to the point where I couldn't handle anymore and decided to leave my husband. I moved back to my home town and started over with my life, but had to accept the fact that I was to be alone, because I couldn't divorce or remarry because I didn't leave my husband for biblical reasons.

Eventually I slowed down in attending meetings and going out in service (door to door) and did meet a man. Well, I started a romantic relationship with him without marrying him. So when the elders of the congregation that I belonged to found out they counciled me and when I wouldn't stop my relationship with him they disfellowshipped me. This basically is an expulsion, I was essentially kicked out because I wouldn't change my ways. This also included my family doing the same thing and was not included in any family social events. So in one afternoon not only did I lose my faith but also my family.

Well, in time I did marry this man and even had a baby with him. While I was pregnant I missed having any kind of contact with my mother, aunts and cousins, so I decided that I wanted to return to the faith of my family so that I could have the much needed emotional support provided by ones blood. So I wrote the elders to tell them so and I had to earn my way back in. I guess you can say they gave me limited membership pending observation of my actions and approval. I went to meetings, but couldn't talk to anyone except if I had any kind of spiritual questions I could approach an elder. I was to 'be no part of the world' so I had to limit my socialization with ones not in the faith.

So I found my self with no friends in the congregation because I wasn't allowed to socialize or talk to anyone and no friends outside of the congregation because I was 'to be no part of the world'. Looking back, I know this is where I became socially retarded. I know some do not like that word but that is exactly what I felt. I lost the ability to meet and make true connections with people on a personal and mental level. At this point I became the master of building walls to 'protect' myself.

This reinstatement process that I had to go through was one of the most difficult things for me to go through on a emotional, spiritual and mental level. I had to become strong in the faith but was not allowed to build the much needed relationships and support systems needed to succeed. It took me two years to complete this process and the only reason why it had happened when it did was because I had finally asked the elders what else I needed to do because I was starving on a social and emotional level. I was dying and needed to create connections, friendships and my own network of support.

Two years later I found myself welcomed back into the fold of my family. I was so happy to be able to talk to my aunts and mother. I was able to call them and be included in family functions and social events. But, I had been branded. I use to be a disfellowshipped person, I had failed on a spiritual level. I let my God down. Mind you I was not in the same congregation that I started out in. I had moved to a different state and was surround people who I didn't know, so these people that belonged to this congregation only knew me as one that was disfellowshipped.

So for five years I tried my hardest to make true connections with ones in the congregation that I belonged. I wanted to make friends and be included. I went out in service (door to door), attended every meeting and other event that was happening. All the while this was happening I found myself in an uneven relationship again. My husband didn't understand what I was going through and it was hard for me to explain it.

Looking back the reason why my second marriage failed wasn't because of our difference in faith, but because of other issues. He wanted to married for marriage sake, being from India, I believe he was pressured to find a wife and start a family. His intentions were good, but with cultural and personality differences it just didn't work. I kid you not, he fell in love with the idea of being married than with me and so after we got married he truly changed. But that is another story.

So I find myself welcomed back to the family but in a marriage that was built on false promises and ideas. We were both unhappy and to save my sanity and his life I had to leave. I moved, bought a house and created a new world for me and my son and all was good for now. And of course I swore off of men at this time. Nope I was not going to do it again and go through the pain and anguish of losing my family and faith again. Boy was I wrong.

Enter my current man. We worked together and I remember the very first time I met him. I thought "what a handsome man" and was instantly attracted to him, to the point of picturing doing things with him that was forbidden. Then he spoke. It ruined all my fantasies. He went from Wow to 'what an ass' in two seconds flat. So began our relationship. It was like what you see in the movies. They fight, yell, try to get each other in trouble, fired and just plain torture each other.

Without getting to far off track and make a longer story short we eventually ended up together. It was nothing like any other relationship that I had. He was my friend, his true self and after seeing me at my worst he still was attracted to me and fell in love with me as I did with him. I did not want to lose this. It was what I had been missing in my other relationships. So when the elders found out they came to me and I found my self right back where I was before. I had to choose. At this time I had been in my relationship with him for almost a year and knew that I couldn't walk away. I loved him and knew in my heart it was right.

So if you are thinking that I was to be disfellowshipped again, you are right, I was. I knew at that time, no matter how I tried I could never please God and live up to his standards. I found myself in a total spiritual breakdown. To me I was failed by my religion for not accepting me for my faults and all. Failed by my God because I wasn't strong enough to face my trials and my family because I couldn't live up to their ideals. I was a failure because I couldn't make it as a Christian.

I was in my own dungeon. I was a failure. I couldn't even make it in a religion that had an automatic out with forgiveness with Jesus. Not only that, I also had two failed marriages. What was I doing? What was I doing wrong? What was wrong with me? Why did God expect perfection out of me? These questions and doubts beat me like a slow flogging with a cat-o-nine with rusty nails. Every one opening up a new wound and not letting the others heal. I was truly beaten down and had no idea what to do next.

Since I became an expert at building walls around me, that is what I did. My fortress is strong, I am an expert at letting no one in and am not vulnerable.

Autumn Equinox September 22nd

2010-09-20T10:19:00.000-07:00

The leaves start changing
The air a bit crisper and cooler
School has started
Farmers are finishing up their harvest
Finishing up preparations for winter
Time of balance and reflection when the day and night are equal
This is what the Autumn Equinox or Mabon stands for me. I do not know why but this is my favorite time of the year. The colors and cool air and seeing things come to completion. For me the Wheel of time seems to slow down just before it completes its cycle and so do I, to breath and ground myself. So I encourage all to take some time during the next few days to stop, admire the beauty around us and thank what God or gods you honor.

My Restaurant Rant

2010-09-17T15:04:00.000-07:00

So today my husband took me out for lunch today for my birthday and we decided to try a new restaurant that opened where a Shari's use to be. They have a location in another part of town so this is there second one.

The service was OK, as it took us about 15 minutes to get our food. They were not too busy and what we ordered do not take a long time. My husband got a cheeseburger, my son got corn puppies and fries and I ordered a club house.

So here is my rant. All I wanted was a simple club house sandwich with just turkey, bacon, cheese, tomato and lettuce. What they had on the menu was a deluxe that included ham and had American and Swiss cheese. I told her that I just wanted turkey and Cheddar cheese. I got my turkey club with cheddar cheese, but the cheese was SHREDDED!!! Who puts shredded cheese on a sandwich that already has a hard time staying together?!?! What kind of restaurant doesn't have sliced cheddar cheese?!?! And why didn't she say something to me when I requested cheddar??? I sat there and stared at it and she then told me that they don't have sliced cheddar and acted as if I should of known that. If I wasn't so hungry I would of sent it back.

Now I did eat the whole thing and it was good as well as the fries. What most restaurants fail to realize is that even if their food is good you can lose customers by slow and or slacking service and putting SHREDDED CHEESE on a club house!!!!

I have 20 years of experience in hospitality and one of the most important things that I learned is that humans are very emotionally attached to their food. When something is not right, or what they expect or even if a restaurant is out the reactions are all EMOTIONAL. So yes, I had an emotional response and because of that negative response that I had we will most like not return. This could of been avoided if the server just told me that they do not have sliced cheddar. I most likely would of ordered something else and would of been fine.

So if you find yourself at the new Peachtree location on Mill Plain here DO NOT ORDER A CLUB WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE!!!

Pale Blue Dot

2010-09-13T23:06:00.000-07:00

"A mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam"
This was the 'wow' for me. Enjoy the video!

syphony of science

2010-09-11T23:58:00.000-07:00

With all the arguing and religion tension that has been going on I thought this would be a nice way to look at things. Who said scientist have no imagination? If you haven't seen this video please take the time and enjoy and if you have seen it before, enjoy it again! Its a refreshing way to look at the beauty around us and in us.

Has Customer Service Been Lost?

2010-09-08T00:49:00.000-07:00

Am I the only one that noticed a decline in customer service? I have worked in the service industry for most of my life and know what its like to be on the other side of the counter. But one of the first things that I learned was that you do not mess with your 'bread and butter'. By giving mediocre or bad service you drive away your customers and potential new customers. This also includes any extra sale that could be made, there have been times when I wanted to ask a question about a product but have been cut off. With that said, it seems that everywhere I go as a customer the level of service has declined. And it seems to transcend in all aspects of services needed from the clerk at the grocery store to the host at a diner.

Now, I am not looking for pampering or getting my ass kissed, but a smile with some eye contact would be nice. I usually know what I want and am not one to hold up a line. If its my turn and haven't decided yet I step out of line and let others go. For example there is a national coffee chain by my house that has a very busy drive thru and it seems every time I go there the employee taking the orders is very short and cuts off people. So I asked myself, 'what has changed and why is this happening?'

So today it hit me. It seems that with the way the economic trends and such that employers are asking their employees to do more and be more productive. They are either not replacing employees that have moved on or laid off some to cut corners. It seems that the employees left have found them selves doing the job of two or more people. These employers are going to burn out their good employees by not keeping their level of staff at where they can give good service. The 'front line' employees seem to be getting the brunt of these business decisions and after over a year into this recession these once great employees are starting to crack. I feel that this will hurt these businesses in the long run, because of the same economic crunch not only am I going to look for the best deal, depending on what I am shopping for, but I also find myself looking for the place that is going give me good service.

Because I only treat myself to one or two coffee drinks a week I stopped going to the one by my house. Yes, that one is more convenient, its easier to get in and out and its on my way while heading to school and work. But, I have been looping around to a competitors stand because they not only have good coffee but also smile, make eye contact and no matter how long the line do not show stress and do not appear to rush me.

So businesses, as it has been said before, pick two when deciding about your 'front line' employees:

Quality, Quantity or Cost.

The one that is left over will be what you sacrifice. For example if you pick Quantity or fast service and Cost at a low price you will have low Quality service and drive away your customer base and have a very hard time getting them back and attracting new customers. Make this choice wisely and you will sustain your business during lean times as well as reap the rewards during the feast times.

Haiku

2010-09-02T17:56:00.000-07:00

The can of worms is open;
Haikus are now on my mind
Share yours on my blog

Is It Neglect?

2010-08-31T23:23:00.000-07:00

Today I got into a debate with my father in law about what would be considered neglect and or bad parenting. What brought this on is that the other day a local 12 year old boy was killed at an Indy motor cross race.

So my father in law felt that the parents were neglectful to the point that they should be criminally charged by letting their boy participate in this sport, because he felt it was too dangerous. So I asked him would he feel the same way about a teen that dies playing high school football. What about a family that lets a child die from a treatable medical condition because its against their faith?

I am a mom of three boys and my oldest wants to play football this year. So do I let him play and if he gets hurt am I a neglectful parent? He is in Boy Scouts and goes on week long camping trips and could get hurt or killed in falls or even an accident on the way there. When is the risk factor too high and where does the line get drawn? So I ask, how do you feel?

To Privatize Liquor Or Not

2010-08-30T20:48:00.000-07:00

Well I am going to hit the ground running and decided that I wanted to discuss the two initiatives that are going to be on the November ballot to privatize liquor. Both of these initiatives will get the state out of the liquor business.

A bit of background on me, I am currently an employee of the WSLCB (Washington State Liquor Control Board) and with privatization it will basically end my job. I have been working in a state ran store now for almost two years and tell you its a lot different than any other job that I have had.

First I would like to dispel any rumors that we get paid big bucks. I work anywhere between 20 and 25 hours a week at 13 dollars an hour. I know 13 an hour is a fair wage but even at full time I wouldn't even break 35K a year and with a family of five that's not a lot of money. PERS is a joke and I had no choice in the matter and would rather have the 5% they take out of my check. The only truly benefit is the medical insurance, which I do pay a premium each payday. My main reason for taking this job was for the insurance so that I had affordable coverage for me and my three kids. Also others have said that as a public employee I am exempt from paying taxes and that is far from the truth, I have all the usual deductions.

With that said, let's talk about these initiatives. There are two, I-1100 which is backed by Costco and I-1105 that is backed by a couple of big distributors. Both put the the LCB out of the liquor business and put the distribution and retail aspect in the private sector. Both repeal all taxes used for social programs.

Key Points

I-1100

Total deregulation of the three-tier pricing

Will make Washington the first state to have absolutely no regulations or rules

Retailers will have to purchase their inventory from a distributor

A distributor has to have an established principal office and agents with in the state to qualify for a distributor's license

I-1105

Keeps some of the pricing control but repeals all taxes and markups

Makes it difficult for local and 'mom & pop' businesses to get a retailers license by having to put a 'down payment' in the general fund

The LCB has to set a new tax structure but must get approval from congress

I am not against privatization but feel that both of these initiatives were written to benefit either big box retailers or distributors. We need to have an initiative that will not only keep the consumer in mind but also the welfare of the state of Washington. I encourage everyone to read the initiatives and do some research before they vote.

So I invite everyone to join in the discussion and have a great debate. All who have something meaningful and substantial to say, you are more than welcome.

Intro

2010-08-29T19:20:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to start a blog for a while but never really had the guts to do it until now. The one thing that got me going was that I wanted to create my own Booze Review. So I am going to have a Booze Review heading and as I try things I will post what I think of them. I encourage others to tell me what they think as well.

As time goes by I will also add other topics that interest me and others. Even though there isn't much on here right now, say hi, come back and check by again and thanks for stopping!