New Reynolds Wrap Made From Recycled Aluminum

How excited I was when I found this product on the shelf! Recycled aluminum foil from Reynolds Wrap! My first reaction was to slap my forehead and say, "what took so long?" This is a great idea and one that ZipLoc, Saran Wrap, CutWax and all the others should follow. It was only a few pennies more than the original Reynolds Wrap and worth the price. It is as strong as the original version and it's helping to save the environment. And I especially love the fact that it is "100%" recycled. Not 3%. Not 10%. Not 30%. 100%! That's the way it should be! I highly recommend this product to all. Stop sending tin foil to the landfills today.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

The Problem With QWERTY Keyboards

QWERTY keyboards are great. The first time I got a phone with a QWERTY keyboard, I was actually pleasantly surprised at how fast I could type with just two thumbs. But here's the problem: Have you ever tried to dial a vanity phone # with it? If not, I challenge you to try it now. Go ahead. Dial 1-800-USA-RAIL or 1-800-JETBLUE.

Aha! There's no number over the letters! Go to push down the U and guess what happens - you get a U! And who in their right mind is going to sit there and count out which three letters go with each number? And what if it's an emergency? You're SOL!

So what's going to happen to vanity phone numbers going forward? Companies that spent so much money and effort on getting easily recognizable vanity phone numbers will now have to heavily advertise the numeric equivalent or they're going to have a lot of complaints from customers and a lot of missed calls.

In addition, I recently tried to access my office voicemail from my BlackBerry. The prompt first asked me to enter the pound or hash symbol and then input my 10-digit #. On the QWERTY keyboard, the # is the very first key, directly above the Q. I clicked on the shift button and hit the #, but it didn't work. The system kept telling me "5 is incorrect". So I am unable to access my office phone mail from outside the office. That is not cool.

I went to BlackBerry.com to try to find a phone number for customer service to get their thoughts on the subject, but I couldn't find one. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. If anyone has any suggestions for how to handle these issues, please let me know.

Thanks.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Please Make the Television More Like the Computer

I am a creature of habit. Once I develop habits, they stick with me for a long time. And nothing today is more habitual than the computer and the Internet. I find that certain habits that I’ve picked up through modern technology I want to use elsewhere, but they don’t exist.

For instance, online searching. When I sit down to my television set, I generally will flip through the channels until I find something I want to watch. Most people would go to the directory channel provided by their cable or satellite company and sit there while they read screen after screen of program names and times. That’s not for me. Still others may pick up the good old fashioned TV Guide. I haven’t owned or purchased a TV Guide probably since the 1980s.

But I have a solution, and I task any young entrepreneurial spirit to develop it. I would like to be able to sit down at my television, click a button on my remote and have a search box pop up. I would just type into the search box the name of the show I’m looking for, hit enter and bam! The television finds it and there it is. If, for example, I wanted to hear the latest dish about Madonna, I could — just like the Internet — type in “Madonna”, and all the Madonna songs, Madonna gossip or Madonna interviews would pop up on my screen for my review.

The other thing that drives me nuts are the forward and back buttons. They work just fine on the Internet, but get into a Microsoft Word doc or Excel spreadsheet and try to find the back button and it “ain’t there”. I’m still using Office 2003, and perhaps good ol’ Bill has already figured this out and its in Office 2007. But in the meantime, I find myself nonchalently seeking out that back button out of habit.

Someday, I believe everything on television will be served by the Internet and everything on the computer will work just like the Internet. It can’t come soon enough for me.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

What You Need to Know About Trampolenes

Recently, my brother and sister-in-law let my 10-year-old niece have a trampolene. It was against their better judgment, but it had side netting all the way around so they thought she would be safe. Besides, Nicole is an athlete - playing either soccer or basketball every week.

What they didn't know is that there was an 8-inch gap between the netting and the edge of the trampolene that was covered with nothing more than a leather flap. One day, Nicole went to get off the trampolene and her foot went through the flap. She fell through the netting and broke both her arms.

Of course, my sister-in-law was furious at the safety that was promised and not provided. She called the manufacturer, who literally told her to go "f" herself. Can you believe that? She then called Wal-Mart where they had purchased the trampolene. Wal-Mart came out, disassembled the trampolene, took it back and gave them a full credit. Wal-Mart is also in talks with the manufacturer about possibly covering the additional expenses - medical expenses, new clothes she could easily slip on, a home tutor for several weeks, etc. Leave it to Wal-Mart to have this kind of clout with the manufacturer.

A trampolene can be a fun toy that also provides much needed exercise and gets kids away from the gaming console and out of the house. But be sure to check it carefully for safety features. Check the connection between the netting and the edge of the trampolene to ensure there is no risk of falling through. And talk with your friends about their experiences.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Give Life

I'm a month behind, but it doesn't matter. April was National Donate Life Month, but even though April is over, this is not the kind of issue that you celebrate for a month and forget. This is a subject that affects people all year long so it's good that I'm keeping the thread of conversation going.

If you are a registered organ, eye and tissue donor, bless you. If you are not, I ask you to consider it. If you are not interested, then you, most of all, should read my girlfriend Dara's story, below. I asked Dara if I could tell her story here and she said please do:

"I had a son, Tyler Haywood Smith born on Sept. 4, 1991. On the day when we were about to take him home we were told that something was not right and I must bring him to my pediatrician first thing on Monday morning. As a matter of fact I had to sign an affidavit saying I would do this and was told my doctor would be expecting to see me first thing on Monday.

"We went on Monday and were told that he was more then just a little jaundice and they were sending us to John Hopkins Hospital. After several weeks of testing at Hopkins I was told he had Biliary Atresia. Bilary Atresia is a disease that, at the time, affected one out of ten thousands babies. Bilary Atresia is when the bile duct between the liver and the small intestine is blocked or absent. I was told that if this was happening three years ago I would be told to go home and enjoy my time with my son. Instead, because of advances in medicine, I was told that I could be one of the lucky ones: my son could have a life saving transplant.

I could not believe this. This was me, this was not a dream or a TV show. This was me and my family's life and it was our son and Alexis' brother they were talking about. Tyler needed to take medicine every day and in time he would need a liver transplant. It was hard because he was not as sick as the other kids with this disease. Yes! He was a little yellow and his belly stuck out some, but he was not as sick as other kids that were on the transplant waiting list. You had to be sick to move up on the list. All I could think about was, because Tyler was not extremely sick, he may have to wait a long time before getting his liver transplant.

I knew how I felt before I learned about organ donation. I was afraid of it. I did not realize how it could save someone's life nor did I know how many people were dying because they needed a transplant. No one was talking about it back then. I had to learn more...because my son was dying.

When Tyler was 8 months old, we started looking for other options. We learned that if we were compatible we could do a living related transplant. It was new and only a few hospitals were doing it. I had to do it. I learned both my liver and the part I donated to Tyler would rejuvenate fully in both of us.

People told us we were crazy. They told me I had more than one child. I knew we were not crazy, this was my child...and I would do anything to save his life. The hospital put us through so many tests to make sure this is really what I wanted to do and that I was healthy enough to endure the donation surgery.

The day came for our surgeries: I donated part of my liver to Tyler. The transplant was successful and things went well for several months. Tragically, in our case Tyler had other complications and did not make it. While this is still very hard for me, one of the things that I find comforting is that Tyler's heart is living in a young lady who is probably about 19 years old now.

Tyler became an organ and tissue donor when he passed away. Tyler gave life to others when he no longer had his own. Not a day goes by that I do not think of families that are going through what my family went through.

To honor my son's memory, I volunteer with Donate Life Connecticut. Donate Life Connecticut plays a crucial role in the field of organ, eye and tissue donation. Nearly 1,000 Connecticut residents are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant...and nationally, over 100,000 Americans are waiting for their second chance at life.

Unfortunately, there are not enough people saying 'yes' to donation, and 18 people die daily simply because an organ wasn't available. Through compelling educational programs and materials, Donate Life Connecticut empowers residents to make an informed decision about donation and to register their decision to save lives with the state donor registry.

Please take a moment to consider my family's story and to educate yourself about donation from their website. Also, I urge you to consider Donate Life Connecticut in your yearly charitable giving. Donate Life Connecticut is funded by concerned individuals, businesses and foundations that assist us to deliver our lifesaving message to the public.

An honorarium, memoriam in Tyler Smith's name or general contribution can be given online at http://www.ctorganandtissuedonation.org/howyoucanhelp/monetarycontributions.html
Thank you for taking a minute to learn how you can save lives.

Or go to http://www.ctorganandtissuedonation.org/

Hopefully, you will decide that donation is right for you and you'll join the organ and tissue donor registry. "

Thank you Dara for sharing your story. I hope it helps.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Leave Miss California Alone

I believe in gay rights and, in particular, their right to marry. But I don't think it's right that Miss California lost the beauty pageant because of her views. She has a right to her beliefs and I don't think she should be chastised for it. Last time I checked, we live in a democracy where people have the freedom to choose.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Happy Earth Day!

Al Gore asked me to forward this message to all my friends, so I am putting it here for you:

In order to solve the climate crisis, we can't just change light bulbs -- we need to change laws. We're closer today than ever before. Right now, Congress is debating clean energy legislation that will jumpstart our economy and help solve the climate crisis. On this Earth Day, can I depend on you to support this crucial legislation?

Yes. I'll get 10 people to sign the petition in support of clean energy legislation within the next week.

This is the historic comprehensive energy legislation that we've been waiting for. It will create millions of jobs and help solve the climate crisis by closing the carbon pollution loophole. After so many years of inaction and obstruction, it's incredible that we have finally reached this point. But the legislative process is never easy. With powerful forces fighting hard to maintain the status quo, it will take all of us working together to seize this moment.

Today, you are one of more than 2 million Repower America members, and tens of millions of Americans, who want to take positive action for our planet. This is it -- a chance to demonstrate nationwide support for clean energy to our leaders in Congress, and help to bring about a new economic era based on clean energy.

So please, talk to your friends. Talk to your parents or grandparents. Start a conversation with a co-worker. And ask them to join with you and the millions of other Americans who want Congress to support clean energy jobs by closing the carbon pollution loophole.

Yes. I'll get 10 people to support this historic clean energy legislation in Congress.

I support clean energy but I'd like to help in other ways.

Your efforts have brought us this far. I hope you take this opportunity to make this a historic Earth Day.

Thank you,
Al Gore

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Recycling to Save the Earth

When I was a junior in high school, the student body decided to sell recycled note paper and envelopes to make money for the class. They brought in a representative from the recycled paper company, whose name I, at this point, don't remember.

Instead of a straightforward boring speech, the man presented a slide show. A few years earlier, he took an entire summer off and decided to take a cross-country driving trip. Early on, he picked up a hitchhiker who ended up spending the entire trip with him. The two took pictures of the beauty of America. Crystal blue water. Crisp mountain caps. Clean sandy beaches. Flowers. Blue skies. Dessert. Rich lush forests. You name it. He accompanied his slide show with the song, Rocky Mountain High by John Denver.

That day, when I viewed those slides and listened to that melodic song, I fell in love with the planet, and I'm still in love with it today. Every time I hear Rocky Mountain High I picture that slide show and the beauty of America.

That's why I am so fanatical about recycling. I hate to see this living planet be destroyed by humans. I'm doing my part. Are you?

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Let's Make Every Day Earth Day

Picture this. It's 400 years from now. And every inch of the earth is buried in landfills. Schools, parks, apartment buildings, offices...are all built on top of landfills. The only place to find natural soil is in a protected areas such as Wyoming's Yellowstone or New York's Central Park. These landfills emit methane gas and other chemicals into the atmosphere, which cause diseases. So there are more people with allergies, asthma, multiple sclerosis, all kinds of diseases than ever before. Maybe even some new diseases have come into being as a result.

Do you want your children's grandchildren and their grandchildren to play on top of a landfill? Have little league games on ground that sits on top of 50 feet of garbage? Swing a swing on top of buried plastic that takes 75 years to biodegrade?

It's going to happen if we just keep throwing everything away. Thousands of tons of garbage just pile up every day. Every year, hundreds of landfills are filled and closed and new ones are opened. How long before we run out of room for landfills? How long before every new building can only be built on top of a greened-over land fill?

It's time for everyone to do their part. Recycle everything you possibly can. And I've said this before, it's not just about what you put into your recycling bin. Saturday I recycled my printer. I bring my ink cartridges back to the store for recycling; glasses to the Pearle Vision Center for recycling; and hangers to the nearest dry cleaners.

I buy recycled toilet paper and paper towels and 100% recycled copy paper. A ream is only $1 more than the non-recycled. Recently, I discovered 100% recycled aluminum foil by Reynolds Wrap. And the quality is excellent. When I bought my new HP 6500 Officejet printer on Saturday -- which uses 40% less energy -- I got a $50 rebate for bringing in my old one, and they planted a tree. They even made the box out of brown kraft, which is recyclable, instead of the old white coated boxes, which are not.

Please, don't make Earth Day an annual holiday. Make it every day. Make it a montra you live by. The earth is a living breathing thing and it needs every one of us to keep it clean. After all, every one of us messes it up and depletes its resources.

Now imagine this. Four hundred years from now, your children's children's children are playing in a park. An all natural park. The air is clean. You can help. Start today. Please.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Is There Really a House in New Orleans Called the Rising Sun?

The song House of the Rising Sun, an old folk song which was recorded by Bob Dylan in 1962 and became a classic rock icon by The Animals in 1964, is one of my all-time favorite songs, and I still listen to it often. If I could play that song on the organ straight through perfectly, I could probably die a happy woman after that and want for nothing. But alas, I play as well as a three-year old, so this dream is unlikely to happen in my lifetime. I’ll have to stick to air keyboarding.

But listening to the song lately made me wonder, is there really a house of the rising sun in New Orleans that’s been the ruin of many a poor boy? Well, according to Wikipedia, there actually was such a property. In fact, several different historic spots lay claim to the name.

Wikipedia reports that old New Orleans directories have records of a short-lived hotel called “Rising Sun” on Conti Street in the French Quarter dating back to the 1820s, which burned down in 1822. A 2005 document search turned up evidence of advertising that eluded to prostitution. Additionally, an archaeological excavation of the site uncovered a large number of pots of rouge and cosmetics.

A second building rumored to have a similar name was the late 19th century “Rising Sun Hall”, a social and pleasure club, which Wikipedia tells us was on the riverfront in the Carrollton neighborhood.

Still a third and even more intriguing claim, made by guide book Bizarre New Orleans, is that The House of the Rising Sun is named for Madam Marianne LeSoleil Levant whose name translates from French as “the rising sun”.

Additional attribution stories include murder, alcohol, gambling, wife beating, slavery and a jail house (thus the words “I’m going back to wear that ball and chain”). 1960s folk singer Dave van Ronk reportedly said in his autobiography that he had seen pictures of a rising sun design over the front door of the old New Orleans Prison for Women, and claimed, as many others did, that the house of the rising sun was a nickname for the prison.

People looking to add a little nostalgia and intrigue to their New Orleans trip can still stay at the House of the Rising Sun. Today, there is a bed and breakfast that goes by the name at 335 Pelican Avenue and a club at 333 Bourbon Street by the same name.

For more information about the history of the House of Rising Sun, click here. For more information about the song, click here. For the lyrics to the song as sung by The Animals, click here. For information about the bed and breakfast, click here. For information about the club on Bourbon Street, click here.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Thanks Jennie — and Betty — for 35 Years of Friendship

I have a pen pal. Her name is Jennie and she lives in Tootgarook, Australia. And right now, I’m sounding a little bit like a second-grade kid standing in front of the classroom holding a piece of paper and explaining their homework assignment out loud. But that’s okay with me.

I was trying to write “25 random things” for Facebook and I thought, ooh, not too many people know I have a pen pal. I could write about that! And then I realized, ooh, I’ve never written about her in my blog, so I could blog about how I got a pen pal and all about our relationship. So I stopped the random things to work on this post.

The story goes like this: When I was 13, I went to a birthday party for a girlfriend from my 8th grade class named Betty Gostomski. But as my mom was driving me to the party, a really huge thunderstorm developed and because of the storm, only two girls, me being one of them, showed up at the party. So rather than do “big party” type stuff, we decided to just hang out in her room. I was laying across her bed flipping through a magazine — Seventeen, or Ingenue or something — and at the back of the magazine was this ad for The Friendship Club. For $1, I could send away for a pen pal and I got to choose the type of friend I wanted.

I asked for an English-speaking girl about my age. Within about a month, they sent me the name and address of Jennie Prosser from Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australia. I wrote her right away and she immediately wrote back to me. I felt bad because she said that it took her years to hear from the Club, but I hoped that it was fate and our friendship was meant to be. It was.

Jennie was 16 and I was 14 by the time we started conversing. We have spent our whole lives together. She got married. I got married. She had three kids. I didn’t. Her husband died and I got divorced at the same time. She remarried, I remarried. She divorced. I divorced. I remarried. I’m now one ahead of her. : )

All this time — during the ’70s and ’80s — she didn’t have a phone, so snail mail was the only way we conversed. In the mid-’90s, when all the telephone companies started putting the phone books on the Internet, I found someone with a similar name in Australia and decided to pick up the phone and call. It turned out not to be her, but a few years later we started emailing back and forth. We completely dropped snail mail from our communication channels and began emailing quite regularly.

Then, about a year ago, I thought again about talking by phone and decided to ask her for her phone number. She emailed it to me, and I picked up the phone and called her. After more than 35 years, we finally got to hear each other’s voice on the phone, and all I could think of was, why did we wait so long?

While we were on the phone, we both got on our respective computers and went to Google Earth, and were able to see each other’s streets. That was incredible! From nothing but snail mail to a photo of the street she lives on while at the same time talking to each other on the phone! It’s like I was there.

A couple of days ago, my mother asked me if I had heard about all the wild fires in Australia and if Jennie was okay. I hadn’t heard about the wild fires so I immediately looked them up on the Internet. Then I went to Mapquest to see how close they were to her. Well on a microscopic map, they looked like they were right on top of her, so I emailed her to see if she and her kids were okay. An hour later I still hadn’t heard, so I picked up the phone and called. It was only 6 a.m. which is why she hadn’t gotten my email, but I just loved the idea that I could pick up the phone and talk to her any time I want to! And with the great long distance package I have, it only cost $3.72!

We still haven’t met yet. We’re hoping to be able to make that dream come true some day soon. But it’s amazing how technology has helped us grow our friendship. I’m very appreciative of that.

I haven’t seen Betty Gostomski since 8th grade, but I probably should look her up and thank her for 35 years of friendship, all because she invited me to her 13th birthday party. Friends like that — and like Jennie — you don’t forget. May God bless us with 35 more.

Now back to my 25 random things...

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Let’s Sign Into Congress a Paparazzi Law

I don’t believe in the ways of the paparazzi. I think there should be a paparazzi law which states that they have to stay 50 feet from any door or entranceway, such as a retail shop or a bar, or from a famous person’s driveway.

I think it’s disgusting how famous people can’t even get out a doorway or into their car and they have to fight their way through the streets.

If you want to take pictures, take pictures, but I think that blocking someone’s path should be illegal. I think it should be against the law to get within a certain number of feet of a specific establishment.

Now, if you happen to catch someone on a public street, in a park or on a beach, that’s a different story. If you’re in a pub and you can take a picture of them without a flash — notice I said without a flash — from a distance — notice I said from a distance — and you’re not disturbing them, then go for it.

But I can’t believe we don’t have laws about this already. I think it’s not only pathetic but it puts famous people in danger and that’s a violation of their rights.

Some would say it comes with the territory. But I believe there are ethical limits, and right now, no one is abiding by those limits.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

The Integration of the GRAMMYs

I was very impressed and touched by the GRAMMYs program this year -- in particular, the way they integrated various genres of music together throughout the entire night. It was as if they were trying to send a message that we are all one in the universe -- all brothers and sisters -- all equal in the eyes of God.

Keith Urban playing with B.B. King, Stevie Wonder with the Jonas Brothers, Jay Z with Coldplay, Sugarland with Adele. The message was loud and clear and yet so subtle.

Also on the subject of integration, I especially like the speech by Neil Portnow, president/CEO of the Recording Academy. He not only announced that Barack Obama was a past two-time Grammy winner for his audio books, which I didn't know, but he incorporated "yes we can" over and over again into his speech, and it was tasteful, not cheesy. He said:

- When it comes to pledging ourselves to the proposition that every young person deserves an opportunity to experience music and the arts in public school, our GRAMMY Foundation says, "Yes we can..."

- When it comes to providing a safety net for music people in need — any time…any place — our MusiCares Foundation says, "Yes we can..."

- When it comes to protecting a musician's intellectual property and the right to earn a living, The Academy says, "Yes, we can!"

I find it very touching how people have taken President Obama's slogan and made it their own.

It was, in my opinion, the best planned GRAMMY awards show I've ever seen.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

A word about A Rod

I’m glad that Alex Rodgriguez told the truth. I’m not happy that he took steroids five years ago.

Yet while everyone is responsible for their own actions, I feel the real blame lies on the baseball organizations that are willing to pay out these multi-million dollar contracts.

If I was paid millions of dollars over the course of a few years, I would feel pressured to perform too. And I might do anything I had to not to fail.

People like A Rod and Jose Conseco ruin the dream of baseball for everyone. I think the Major League Baseball Association needs to get tougher on steroids with a strict policy that anyone who tests positive is eliminated for the entire season. And I think random drug testing should be improved and the frequency increased. Perhaps, instead of urine tests, take a strand of a player’s hair, since drugs can be traced through the hair going back three full months, or through saliva swabs, like they do on Law & Order SVU.

The contracts issue will never change. The bar has been set and nobody’s going to lower contract fees for star players. But perhaps they should be structured differently so athletes are rewarded for doing their best and not for attempting to achieve goals at any cost.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Thank you for your votes!

I want to thank everyone who voted for my new health care idea on Change.org. I did not make it into the top three, but I did receive over 100 votes. Thanks to everyone for your support! To read the top three suggestions that will be presented to President Barack Obama after he is sworn in, go to http://www.change.org.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

May You All Have A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year

I want to wish all my friends, family and colleagues a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. I hope you achieve all your dreams and successes and suffer no heartbreaking losses.

And please remember to pay it forward. Do a good deed for someone, but don't expect anything in return. Remember, we must take care of our own, and that includes family, friends, and those who are less fortunate.

If you have lost a connection with someone you loved, a parent, a child, a friend, reconnect. If you owe someone an apology, give it. If you're too lazy to pick up the phone, don't wait any longer. Call.

And please be kind to the environment. Remember, the earth is a living, breathing thing.

God bless you all.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Thank you, U.S. Troops

As I reflect upon this Christmas Day, I just want to say thank you to all the U.S. soldiers around the world who are protecting our freedoms and our democratic way of life. For all the times you wonder if you are appreciated, you are. For all the times you wonder if you are doing the right thing, you are. For all the time you've spent away from your family, especially on this Christmas holiday, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your sacrifice.

Merry Christmas. Come home safe and soon.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Please vote for me!

To all my family, friends and business associates,

I am writing to ask you to vote for me. On the website change.org, I put up a suggestion of how I feel the heatlhcare system should be changed. Votes get ideas to the second and then the final round. Winning ideas are actually going to be presented to Barak Obama after he is sworn into office.

About a week ago, my suggestion was ranked #2 in the global health category. I have 67 votes mostly from people I don't know who read my idea!

If you disagree with my idea, that's fine. You can simply do nothing. Or everyone is also free to write a comment.

Here is the link:
www.change.org/ideas/view/socialized_healthcare_system

Then click on the "67 votes" box. You will have to register to vote.

I appreciate your support. Thank you,
Lynn

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

How to Find a Job in a Down Market

As a freelance writer and editor who’s pretty well plugged in to most of the goings on in the advertising, marketing and digital media industries, I will often get requests from people in the industry who have lost their job to help them find a new one. Just this morning, I learned of two more people in our personal circle who have lost their jobs. So I thought the time was right for a blog post that discusses all the ideas that I generally recommend to people who email me.

When looking for your next great career move:

1) Don’t limit yourself to your local market. Do you work in the kind of field that would allow you to telecommute? If so, consider working for companies in California, Canada, Chicago, or anywhere that is too far to drive to. Don’t be afraid to submit your resume for a full-time position is Timbuktu and tell them all the benefits 1) of you and 2) of why they should hire you to work remotely (less overhead, less wear and tear on the environment because you won’t be driving to work). Be willing to travel to the office 2-4 times a year, but make sure it is clear that it is on their dime.

2) Don’t limit yourself just to the ads you find in the classifieds. Choose the top 10 to 20 companies you would most like to work for and contact them. Tell them that you’d like to discuss how you can [fill in the blank: grow their business, strengthen their team, etc.]

3) Consider freelancing. I’ve met freelance data analysts, direct marketers, even contract CMOs. Anything that you can do full time you can freelance. In this tough market, all companies are likely downsizing a little. But they will still have projects that need to be managed — they just can’t afford to pay benefits or pay full-time staff. While you may ultimately want a full-time job, consider offering your services as a freelancer to leading companies. Tell them they’ll get best-of-breed services without having to pay for benefits or a full-time salary.

4) If the company that recently laid you off or is planning on letting you go is running or sponsoring an conference or trade show, negotiate a free ticket so you can scower the exhibit hall or network the sessions to find yourself a new job. Companies will rarely turn down this type of request due to the guilt alone.

5) Reach out to all your existing contacts, including: vendors, PR reps, friends, family members, church members, your son’s baseball coach. You have a network. Don’t be afraid to use it.

6) Finally, step outside your career box to see how your strengths would fit another industry…and they will. You just need to see yourself differently. If you’re in sales, you can sell anything. If you’re a marketer, you can market anything. Tell them why and how everything you’ve ever learned would be a great fit for them.

I hope this information is helpful. Best of luck to all of you who are currently or may become unemployed. I’ve been there too many times to remember so I completely understand. Go get ’em!

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

You Can Find Absolutely Anything on YouTube…

Recently I began making an Excel spreadsheet of all mine and my mom’s old 45s to get them ready for sale on eBay. My mom’s records are all fifties and sixties music, including some real classics such as Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog”.

I wanted to add the year the song was released to each line, which is not on the record, so I found myself searching the Internet. Ironically, I found a lot of the years marked on YouTube videos. It surprised me that I would find any of these old songs or groups on YouTube but, believe it or not, most of them are.

I was really taken aback when I found an old song from the fifties called “Diane”, by The Bachelors. This is a song that my mom used to play for my sister Diane when we were kids, saying that it was my grandfather singing to her from heaven. Listening to it brought back such wonderful memories.

I’m in heaven, when I see you smile…
Smile, for me, my Diane
And though everything’s dark
All the while, I can see you Diane.

Wow, does that take me back.

Then I started finding songs I loved from the seventies, such as the Poppy Family’s old folk tune, Which Way You Going Billy. I must have played that video 50 times last week!

It’s true, you can literally find anything on YouTube. Marvin Gaye singing I Heard it Through the Grapevine. Glen Campbell. John Denver. Every song I looked for, I found. Even Gospel songs like Shout to the Lord that I needed to practice for church.

I dare anyone to go to http://www.youtube.com right now and search for a song. Any song. Seriously. Right now. I bet you’ll find it. And let me know about the great memories you're able to bring back by looking at videos on YouTube!

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.