Archive for May, 2010

This weekend we took a quick jaunt down to our boat, this as many will recall is a new thing for us both. It was the beginning of last year when I was informed about hubby’s new found interest and the subsequent savings he had accumulated for the venture. Extreme fear aside and the inevitable throwing away of my wish list for a china cabinet, TV room wall unit, blinds for the master and guest bedroom that actually block out light, new upholstery on a couple of chairs and a fully finished shed; I have adapted. Now, I have only moderate fear and I am contemplating selling my body to acquire my household improvement funds.

We loaded our overnight bags and food onto the boat and prepared the cabin for our stay. Neither of us can remember where half our stuff is…”Where’s the kettle?” “Do we have any paper towel?” “We were going to use paper plates this time, where are they?” “My toothbrush is nowhere to be found, I guess I must have taken it back home in my bag the last time I was here.” Coming out of the bathroom ( called the head) the door hits hubby. As we put everything away and turned on necessary switches, we both jockey for position.

“Excuse me, I just have to get to the ….”  “Um, can you grab me that while you are there, that way I don’t have to squeeze by?” “Oh, sorry I didn’t know you were wanting to go that way.” ” Honey, I’ll move over here while you do…”

We did a dance that may have been good if we were still trying to romance each other. You know, when you lightly breeze by him so that he feels your hand, back or front. He then reaches for something across you when he could have gotten the item by just getting up and walking around. Yes, well we are beyond that and now it is just two bodies trying to maneuver in a confined space.

Speaking of confined space, I think I’ve discovered why they call our sleeping area the V-birth, its like I’m coming in and out of the womb. I’m born again daily. Do you know how hard it is to make the bed in those spaces, somebody should design sheets just for those angles, its madness!

So, finally I took a moment to observe a seal playing in the water and then bubbles and rings surfacing from the little fish next to our boat. Then it came to me, as I peered out the window.  Those fish are probably looking at us as they gleefully swim in their expansive ocean home. “Look Marge at those two humans in that bowl, moving around back and forth, poor saps.”

Last month I assisted with a Job Fair. For those who may be unfamiliar with job fairs it is a sponsored event that brings together both employers and job seekers for the day. Invited employers set up their booths to provide information about their business and speak directly with participants. Participants may have the opportunity to fill out applications for employment, provide and discuss their resume, become informed about the business/industry or obtain a future contact. This kind of networking can be very advantageous; providing you make a positive first impression.

As co-sponsors of this event it allowed us to work with a small group of participants from our local employment programs, prior to doors opening. We gave some last minute tips on approach and how to answer questions. Later, we got the opportunity to observe from our booth as people made their way around the room. As it was open to the public to take advantage of this opportunity, I was astounded to see just how unprofessional 80% (if not more) of the people were dressed. Jeans, running shoes, flip flops all parading in the doors. Shirts that had clearly never seen an iron and one woman who showed so much cleavage I’m not sure anyone was really listening to a word she was saying.

Mini skirts, young women with low waist pants advertising the “pre-crack stamp” as they bent over to fill in the applications. Young men who still insist that a belt is best worn around the thighs. You can’t help but watch to see if the jeans can hold on any longer or whether we are going to have scream “Bombs Away!”

To accompany the bad fashion was the blah faces; most seemingly forgetting to amp it up a notch. We observed several actually texting or taking a call right in the middle of their discussions with employers. It is clear many were uninformed about the importance of personal appearance, etiquette and body language when job hunting and interviewing.

When a person came in the room with their case of prepared materials, wearing a suit or any type of real business attire, you couldn’t help but notice. They were the minority and employers eyes (and ours) went directly to them. Given there were some high profile businesses in the public, private and not for profit sectors, whom you rarely get to see unless called for an interview, it was quite an eye opener for us. As career consultants we speak about the do’s and don’t's of fashion when applying for jobs but who knew this many people outside of our programs didn’t get the message.

What do you wear and where do you find those clothes?

* Women: Wear properly fitting dress pants and business shirt. Skirts and blouses are preferred by some companies, business suits are also acceptable in most settings. It is important to feel comfortable in your outfit and shoes. Since you may be sitting down to talk, try seeing how that looks and feels.

* Men: Wear properly fitting pants, shirt (tie may be optional in some settings). Depending on the target job you may wear a suit and tie.

* Business casual is often accepted but casual doesn’t mean what you would wear out to the store…lean more to business.

* Bring a folder, briefcase/carrier for extra resumes, references, certifications, your own pen, business or calling cards and anything else you feel is relevant for these employers to see.

* Sometimes both men and women may be attending a fair that is heavily trades based. If jeans are what you are going to wear then at least pick ones that are clean and fit! No T-shirt, no ball caps or ratty weather beaten sport jackets.

It is not hard to find clothing for work, thrift stores and consignment stores are full of great deals. One pair of black pants or a skirt can be a great investment; worn with multiple different shirts or blouses it’s completely interchangeable.

Dress for success offers eligible women entering or re-entering the workforce their first business suit and additional apparel after securing a job. Dress for success has multiple affiliates worldwide.  Career Gear for men also provides help with interview clothing in addition to interview preparation services with affiliates in major cities across the US.  SYMS Dress to Achieve very informative site intended to help college seniors put their best shoes forward but certainly transferable to all job seekers and interviewees.

It is essential that job seekers see the value in going just that little bit further in their research of prospective companies, including how to dress. We market ourselves on paper and we market ourselves in person, whether we like it or not our appearance counts. An opportunity to meet employers in a job fair setting is rare, take advantage of that and help them remember you! Stand out from the crowd for the right reasons!

Once on the job you get to fully see the culture and dress code but until then leave the jeans and flip flops in the closet.

National Life Jacket Day 2010 came to my attention on a flashing sign as I was driving down a street; up till that point I had never considered such a day existed. For the rest of my ride home I was half driving and half immersed in the story of a little girl who knows all to well the importance of wearing a life jacket. It is my hope that by sharing her story it will make even one person see the benefits of wearing a life jacket.

Both in Canada and the USA hundreds of people drown every year. In Canada reports have indicated “200 people drown every year while boating…90% were not wearing life jackets“, according to the Red Cross. This number doesn’t even include drownings that occur through other activities and there were other sources that indicated a higher estimate. The US Coast Guard reports “In 2007 alone there were 685 recreational boating accidents two-thirds of the victims drowned, 90% were not wearing a floatation device.” Power boating is a year round recreation for many people in North America and we are heading into the peak season between May and September. The incidents of drowning in or around water, where many children lose their lives every year, is difficult to imagine.  In fact, it is the second leading cause of death for children ages 1-14 years. (CDC 2006) Keeping all of this in mind I will begin the story.

Many years ago there was a little nine year old girl who idolized her father, everywhere he went she wanted to go. If he was working on his car she diligently observed, if he was building something she stood by to help where she could, if he mowed the lawn she raked along side him. Every picture that was taken shows her nestled close; he was her world.

One summer the family was going on their annual vacation. Her sister, mother and father were taking off to a resort a few hours from their home. After settling in to their room, they hit the beach that aligned the lake in front of them, it was a picturesque location with the mountain wrapping around its shores. Each day that followed echoed the fun.

After some time spent at the resort the little girls father met another man that was vacationing with his family too. They struck up conversation that resulted in the opportunity to go out on his boat. Her father thought that was a great idea, his wife didn’t want to go, one of the daughters didn’t want to go either, but the other little girl that followed her father everywhere jumped at the chance to spend time with her Dad. A new experience they would share together.

Loading into the boat, along with the man and his two young daughters, they all set out for a trip around the lake on that hot summer day. After awhile one of the girls decided she wanted to go for a swim. The father cut the engines, stopped the boat and the men proceeded to measure with a water ski the depth of the water. It appeared to be fine and the owner of the boat watched his two daughters jump in but the other little girl remained. She just wasn’t sure; her father assured her it would be OK and so in she went.

Things were going well, until the one daughter screamed, panic ensued. Now, both the man’s daughters were screaming and nobody knew why? The other little girl still treading water looked up to see her Dad jump in… then she didn’t see him. In all the commotion things sped up, it was a fight for survival. The boat had drifted too far, all the girls were now screaming for help and the man that owned the boat was trying to do what he could. The little girl could see the hotel and shore in the distance but her screams were not getting any attention. She was running out of energy as she was not a strong swimmer and had been treading water for some time now. Eventually, it was too much and she floated down.

She remembered the peace and calm she felt, she looked forward to see the hazy colour of the water in front of her eyes, as she went further under. Then, an arm grabbed her and she was brought back up to the surface! The man that owned the boat had retrieved his daughters and they were attached to a small square life jacket, somehow they had also picked up her father and so on a small square floater the little girl now clung and she took hold of her father who was spitting water like a fountain out of his mouth. He was barely up out of the water and it was all she could do to hold on to him.

Finally, a couple came to the rescue and each person was loaded in their boat. When it came to getting the little girl in the boat she refused. “No”…”Take may Dad!” “Take my Dad!” she shouted. They insisted they would get him, she was to get in first and then they would get him. They did not.

In the course of her letting go he simply disappeared. Nobody got him. Everything that transpired after that came in slow motion, her mother running down the dock toward her, her shouts of grief, the little girl thinking she was responsible because she let go, the police, the older sister and her boyfriend arriving to pick the family up and take them home without their father and husband. Four days later her father was found in what turned out to be 60 feet deep of water.

By not being prepared, by not wearing life jackets, multiple lives were irreversibly changed. Her father was a strong swimmer, a longshoreman, he lived and worked by the sea all his life, that made no difference. For those that don’t believe this can happen to you, you are dead wrong! Wear the life jackets and wear them properly, things can happen so fast and you have little time to prepare.

If my Dad and I had been wearing life jackets that day, he may still be alive …we miss him so much.

Today Metal fans received word that Ronnie James Dio passed away losing his battle with stomach cancer. He was a legend in the heavy metal world with an unlikely big voice coming through a small stature man. The first time I saw him, I thought “Wow, he isn’t what I pictured.” What mattered more was this front man, singer and songwriter gave musicians and fans alike something to admire.

The sign of “devil horns” hoisted in the air at concerts is a gesture he started and if I remember correctly it was first used by his grandmother. Intend to ward off rather than attract so called “evil”  which the misinformed about metal always jump to. I’m not a leading authority on Mr. Dio – just a fan of his work.  I was first most familiar with his contribution and performances with Black Sabbath but then followed his career solo Dio and recently saw him live twice with the Heaven and Hell tours.

What I admired was his larger than life persona on stage, the artistry and powerful vocal performances. It was the class that accompanied his music, his appreciation for his craft and the fans that supported the bands. My mother, who was a trained singer and once well known performer in England, appreciated Mr. Dio after watching a DVD that my heavy metal loving husband introduced her too.

That is what is offered by the true greats of rock and metal, they transcend time, appeal to the most discerning of musical tastes, welcome anyone to enjoy no matter where they live, how old the are or how much they make. Going to a concert in which Ronnie James Dio performed was sure to be a real show and the venue was filled with the diversity of fans that make metal rock!

Given my age I get afraid that one day all of those that I grew up rocking to, all of those that I admire now because they are truly deserving of being called “the best”, will fade away. Thankfully their music lives on and Mr. Dio knew how much he was loved and respected, that was a life that gave back and used his talent!

I have featured heavy metal bands before including Heaven and Hell but here we go again, in honor of Ronnie James Dio and the memories he has left me and millions of others.

Die Young

You can’t not listen to this powerful song! Indulge and enjoy the musicianship, voice and artistic presentation in parts 1 and 2.

Heaven and Hell Part 1

Heaven and Hell Part 2

As a long time Vancouver Canuck fan I am disappointed we are not going forward in this playoff series. It wasn’t just this game that did us in but a few very poor moves along the way that sealed our fate. I certainly didn’t like the various stupid penalties taken in the battle against the Chicago Blackhawks; they played it right to antagonize our team. I watch hockey to see a hockey game, not the battle royale that happened on certain nights.  The attitude by O’Brien is ridiculous as far as I’m concerned he is a loose canon we don’t need and Bieksa is a guy I would get rid of in an instant, too many costly mistakes.

There just isn’t consistency with our team, but there are some hard workers. Wellwood impresses me and I think he showed his best in this playoff series. Burrows lacked a little but overall throughout the season he really comes across as a true team player and still having fun with the game. Luongo I just can’t figure out, such greatness and then there is the drama king moments.

I could go on picking a part different players and their performance but there is no point. I know they all want to win, I know they try, I know we expect more, I know that there is disappointment all the way around.  I remain a fan; with the hope that eventually we can have a team that can truly go the distance in the playoffs. The cup can’t elude us forever.

Vancouver fans are passionate, some are fickle and some are loyal. To see us come together, to hear the national anthem sung by each and every person in the arena is magnificent. It is also comforting to know that hockey is still Canada’s game with most of the players across the board being Canadian or made their way up in the ranks through our leagues.

So, here’s to next year! May we gather again with towels in hand, strong voices, powerful energy and united in our goal to win, win, win!

In my last post I challenged readers to comment or email their recipe for a successful, happy life. I received some thoughtful contributions, thank you all for your wisdom.

This mothers day, I thought it would be wonderful to have my mother and three other judges decide who would receive the Simply Salads book by Chef Jennifer Chandler. Upon reading each recipe for life that was submitted they requested a second reading, trying to deliberate between two very worthy submissions. Finally a decision was reached.

The book was awarded to:

Christine Bode -

My recipe for life:

Having my family close by
Having my dog at my side
Enjoying the company of a good friend
Loving the work I do every day
Spreading the love about those who incite my passion
Indulging in Arts & Entertainment whenever possible
Indulging in Pinot Grigio, cheese and ice cream sometimes!

*key ingredient = LOVE

I would like to thank you all for participating, it provided such a positive bonding moment for our Mother’s Day dinner guests. Christine, enjoy this new addition to your book shelf. Happy life, happy dining!

My new article is out in Timefinders Magazine called Simply the Right Ingredients featuring Chef -  Jennifer Chandler and her new book Simply Salads. I’m giving away a copy to a lucky reader but first I must share this:

I truly enjoyed interviewing Jennifer; she was so generous and if you are someone who is struggling to decide whether following your passion is a good idea you may be inspired by this woman’s story. Her blog, appearances and books are a manifestation of living her dream. It has always been intriguing to see how people transition in life but also how passion can be such a strong motivator to take the next step!

I have a copy of this book standing up on my kitchen counter and this household intends to use it! In keeping with what you will hear from Jennifer, it is soon to be “covered in oils and stains” as all good cookbooks should be. If you are struggling with little prep time but wanting healthy and I will add, colorful meals, you will want this on your cookbook shelf. This isn’t a full on promotion here, its just facts. It is a good book and when my husband and I opened it up for the first time we were pleasantly surprised. It was well thought out, not complicated, but felt like it should be when you saw the beauty of the meals. Ingredients were no problem, loved the adaptations – just in case the grocery doesn’t carry what you need. Jennifer gave a lot of thought into the needs of the reader.

Giving is important – Jennifer has shared her love of cooking with all of us and I’m going to share her book with one of you!

I have obtained another copy of Simply Salads which I will pass along – All you have to do is provide a brief outline describing your recipe for life – What do you feel is a key ingredient (s) for a successful and happy life?

Share your comment below (or email me directly) and you may receive this wonderful book for free.

Jennifer and I came together through same name and my post Confessions of a Chocoholic but what brought me further into her world was a need to know more.  I spend a lot of time researching women and their stories, famous or not so famous, there is always something to learn. My column Worldly Women and my blogs’ Women of Influence page is dedicated to just that, exploration, commentary and revealing interesting facts about women who circle this globe. A work in progress with what I hope is a long journey to understanding the richness that is life.

If you know someone who is worth featuring email me at jchandlerconsulting@shaw.ca or leave a comment below.

Check out my portfolio for additional articles about and for women.