Goodbye 2009

It’s been a year of fond memories and a year I would just as soon forget. It caps off a decade of turmoil in the world, a changed economy,

Our apprehension and preparation for Y2K 10 years ago now seem almost quaint. In a much more innocent time, the worst we could anticipate involved possible computer glitches and crashes and how long it might take to sort out the problems. It didn’t happen. We slid effortlessly into the new millennium, with excitement and go, go, go fervor

Now we are ready to plunge into 2010. What might this new decade hold and how has the past decade affected our outlook?

An interesting article in the Los Angeles Times this week Kava 'anti-energy' drink takes root in the Southland - latimes.com made me think about the 2010s being the antithesis to the 2000s. The latest popular drink is Mary Jane’s Relaxing Soda, part of the latest trend in anti-energy drinks. Is this the new Red Bull or Rock Star replacement? I was intrigued by this drink to soothe our frazzled minds and souls. I think it’s the start of a whole new way of life for Americans.

Recent years have brought us the slow food movement, with more emphasis and availability of locally grown, fresh food. One of the most popular products among all age groups has been the Snuggie, a blanket with sleeves, suggesting a need for comfort and cocooning in this recession. The popularity of yoga, often billed as the  antidote to life in the fast lane, has soared.

I'm convinced that these new products and trends are indicators of not only what people want but what people need to deal with these challenging times. So goodbye to 2009.  I’m ready for the new decade to begin.

When Irish eyes are smiling

It's time to get back. It's hard to believe it's been two months since I've posted anything, but life has a way of taking a course that's different from anything one might have expected. I've learned this year to manage my expectations better and to realize that many things that occur in our lives are out of our control.

This is wisdom gained from being laid off from work as well as from maturing, mellowing, and entering a new period of life. I've often described this year as a time "in transition," between jobs, searching for the next satisfying career step, and creating a more fulfilling and worthwhile personal life. But really isn't all of life "in transition" from one phase to the next...one can plan and set goals, but there are the curve balls that test us, our resilience, and our ability to rebound and keep going with the hope that things will get better.

This latest life "curve ball" has been one of the worst things a person can endure in life...the loss of a parent. I am unbearably sad that my dear mother passed away on November 2 after a very short illness and 11 days in the hospital. She was far more ill that she -- or we -- had realized so it happened quite suddenly.  My sister and I had been there with her during her time in the hospital so were able to keep her company, to chat, and to let her know that she was surrounded by people who loved her. She was so happy that we were there with her. 

During that time and the time we spent in Indiana after the funeral to take care of my mother's home and her estate, I was immensely grateful that I wasn't working, that I had the time to devote solely to my mother. I wasn't encumbered by thoughts of work going undone or responsibilities I'd neglected. I could be at peace with taking care of my mother's needs and give her my undivided attention (as my sister was also able to do -- we were very fortunate to both be there together). 

In this case, my lack of a job was a blessing at such a dreadful and sad time. It takes time to recover (if one ever really does) particularly at this time of year, when we would have celebrated my mother's birthday on December 1 (also my birthday) and with Christmas approaching. These were always very special days in our family; we took celebrating and gift-giving seriously.  But I'm slowly, slowly creeping back to reality, with the love and support of my dear daughters, my sister, my friends, and my wonderful aunts, uncles, and cousins. Life goes on and so will I.

My mother was known, when she was young, for her beautiful blue eyes and dark hair; she had both the Egan and Mann families in her beauty. My sister and I recalled my mother singing "Danny Boy" and "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" to us when we were children and I thought this was most appropriate in describing my mom: 

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, sure 'tis like a morn in spring.

In the lilt of Irish laughter you can hear the angels sing,

When Irish hearts are happy all the world seems bright and gay,

And When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, sure, they steal your heart away

 

Free speech or necessary rules?

One of the announcements from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently was to advise bloggers on new blogger ethics guidelines...that  bloggers will now be required to advise readers when a product they are blogging about was provided gratis or that he/she was paid for the review or posting. It doesn't matter if it's a positive review or not. The rules state that a blogger who has received money or "in-kind payment" tied to a product review must disclose the deal to readers.

Now, radio stations must also adhere to these same rules; they have long had the rule but it hasn't been enforced. On radio, is is clearly paid advertising, typically a live read by the onair talent.

But here is my question, is a blogger considered advertising?

It seems to me if the blogger is a paid arm of a corporation or product, then it's advertising. If the blogger's sole reason to exist is to tout the benefits of the product or is an employee or contractor of the blogged-about brand, then that's another form of "paid" advertising (funded by the brand).

But what about free speech for individuals? We all know that conferences and trade shows load people up with swag in hopes it will lead to more business; newspapers and magazines are sent free products as PR in hopes to get them written into a story; businesses commonly give away samples to induce trial and word of mouth marketing.

The FTC has said it has no plans to pursue enforcement of the rules on bloggers or social media users who blog about products.

But what do you think -- free speech or a necessary regulation of often-blurry advertising tactics?

The first Twitter?

Email, Instant messaging, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, blogging...all have changed our lives in making communication with each other so quick as well as allowing us to share our innermost thoughts and feelings with family, friends, and the world.

In reality, this is nothing new. It's only the method, the technology, that's different.

Tower of London from the outside, looking over the moat.

I was struck by this almost 2  years ago when visiting the Tower of London. Many prisoners held there over the centuries used elaborate graffiti etched into the stone walls to communicate their presence, their love for their families, proclaim their religious faith, note their time in prison, or convey their philosophies on life. These prisoners were not necessarily wrong-doers or hardened criminals, but instead included kings, queens, traitors, saints, and sinners. Many of the carvings in the walls date from the 1500 and 1600s.

Prisoner graffiti from the Tower of London.

Check out the wall carvings in the Beauchamp Tower and the Salt Tower at the Tower of London. This is history and it is fascinating.

The vast array of British history that is on display at the Tower is dazzling. From the Royal Crown Jewels, to the armour belonging to Henry VIII, elements of torture, and an 11th century chapel. The Tower, begun in the early 1080s by William the Conqueror, is a fortress of buildings and exhibits. It's well worth visiting again and again.

Sidenote: The day we visited the Crown Jewels at the Tower, a few pieces had been removed and were noted as "In use." The next day, as we gathered to watch the queen's processional from Buckingham Palace to the ceremonial Opening of Parliament, we were able to see these very pieces, each conveyed to Parliament in its own exquisite, regal, horse-drawn carriage, including the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and Sceptre.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on the Opening Day of Parliament

A don't miss site in London. I can't wait to go back!

If you go: check out the sites, times, and prices ahead of time at http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon. It's worth spending the day at the Tower.

A jobless recovery?

According to a U.S. Department of Labor report released on Friday, the number of job seekers competing for each job opening has reached its highest point since the recession began. There are 6.3 unemployed workers competing, on average, for each job opening. When the recession "officially" began in December 2007, there were 1.7 unemployed workers for each job opening.

Now, some economists predict a "jobless recovery," according to an article in Saturday's Washington Post. (Business Digest)

Huh? So what constitutes a recovery? A drastic cut in the number of jobs lost each month? A more favorable Gross Domestic Product? A more favorable trade balance with foreign countries? Increased retail spending?  But what happens to the jobs -- and the people seeking jobs -- in a "jobless recovery?" 

Does the lower economic group in this country grow in number, creating an even larger group with limited resources to pay for housing, health care, taxes, insurance, food....not to mention all the "nice to have" things like travel, entertainment, and charitable giving?

And what happens to the people?  After all,to put a face on unemployment and job seekers is the real story. They are people like me... and the many people I know who have recently lost their jobs and are worried about the future.


Companies are reluctant to hire; that's been well-documented. But there are jobs out there as a result of re-organizations, contracts that have been awarded, attrition, and some new positions being created. In my view, it seems that people with experience are finding it tougher and tougher in this economy. I believe hiring managers have a preconceived, biased view of more experienced professionals: they are set in their ways; they may not know new technologies and the online world; they expect too much salary; they are not as adaptable to change as younger people; they don't have the energy; I need new ideas, not old ways of thinking; this is a young person's business. We must assure hiring managers that this is NOT the case -- and it can be challenging to do in a resume and cover letter.


I worry. I worry about the future of this country as well as my own future. A "jobless recovery" has other implications somewhere...and I just wonder what those are and how it will affect me.

Engaging one's mind

There are so many low cost and free cultural and educational opportunities in the Washington area, and I sometimes feel there is much I don't want to miss out on.

Last night was one of those times. The Washington National Cathedral sponsors many different events throughout the year: musical, inspirational, environmental, as well as discussions on world events. Wednesday evening at the Cathedral, I attended the Ignatius Program which involved a discussion of the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The panel discussion was moderated by Adi Ignatius, editor-in-chief of Harvard Business Review (the program series is in honor of his parents and their support of the National Cathedral). Speakers included Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rory Stewart, author of The Places in Between about his walk across Afghanistan, and Husain Haqqani, Pakistani Ambassador to the U.S.

I don't know about you but I have been thoroughly confused about the U.S. goals in Afghanistan -- what exactly are we trying to achieve? It has seemed for years like a hopeless situation that only puts U.S., and other country's, service people in dire places and extreme danger. And with General McChrystal asking for more troups in order to achieve success in Afghanistan, I've wondered exactly what that success is.

If you've read anything about Afghanistan, you are aware of the warring factions, the tribalism, the remote protected compounds, the poverty, the lack of education, and the often-treacherous terrain in which tribes and remote villages are separated from each other.

It was educational, intellectually-stimulating and enlightening to hear the perspectives of the three speakers. There is no conclusion on what should happen there. It depends of course on one's perspective and whether the U.S. should operate in the best interest of the Afghani people, of the United States, of a military situation that we're now 9 years into, or in consideration of how the U.S. is viewed by other countries around the world.

I am currently reading Rory Stewart's book about his walk across Afghanistan, and I have great admiration for the work he and the nonprofit organization he established are currently doing in that country to help where the government isn't or can't. His position is that the country needs to be left in the hands of the Afghanis and the U.S. should not commit more troops. It only prolongs the Afghanistan government NOT taking responsibility for their own country. His description made me think of the U.S. acting as a "helicopter parent," rather than the child taking responsibility for his own actions.

An intriguing question from the Pakistani ambassador: Why do Americans (the U.S. government) feel they have to fix things in all parts of the world? Why do Americans feel they have to fix radical Islam?

Senator Kerry's major question of the decision-makers -- and he's going on a fact-finding mission to Afghanistan next week -- is, "What is possible in Afghanistan? and Why is it important for the U.S. to be in Afghanistan?"

Sidenote: Chris Cuomo of ABC News has provided excellent daily reports this week on Good Morning America from Afghanistan about the people and the U.S. servicemen and women.

Another recommended must read: Three Cups of Tea by John Mortenson This gives an amazing perspective on the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan and Mr. Mortenson's efforts to educate children who are not being served by the countries in which they live.


Reminder to self (and others): take advantage of the lectures and seminars that are available all over the Washington area. You might learn something and open your own thinking about the world.

Does Levi Johnston make you want to buy pistachios?

From Monday's USA Today comes this gem about the new campaign from the Pistachio industry... with their first-ever television campaign:


Pistachio industry bets on 'sex sells' mentality with ads - USATODAY.com*


This series of tv and online spots features double entendres with the goal to create a buzz and viral marketing effort around pistachios. But Levi Johnston? Really? Certainly he's cute. But couldn't the ad agency for pistachios have come up with something more interesting and compelling to make me want to buy pistachios?


Pistachios were recalled from stores earlier this year after a salmonella contamination scare, causing a 20% decline in pistachio sales. Their goal now is to encourage regular purchase of pistachios rather than thinking of them as a special occasion purchase.


And I'm sure this slightly risque campaign, that features a series of spots with various "celebrities" and "not quite celebrities" will draw lots of publicity (particularly around Levi Johnston), but I find the campaign offensive and not funny. 


I won't be buying pistachios. How about you? 

Whoever said finding a job would be easy?

What's the oddest thing you have had to do to land a new job? Sometimes the interview process can be grueling, meeting with one person after another, not hearing back whether they think you are a good fit for the job or not, being tested on the work you would be doing, coming up with solutions for your potential employer during the interview.


Here are some of the things I'm familiar with. Of all of them, I believe the federal job application may be the most trying and time consuming. Try figuring out how to best answer the questions and write concise but informative essays, when you can tell from the job description that you could do the job in a snap. Or you can tell from the job posting that whoever wrote it hadn't a clue what they are talking about.

• I once had to take a personality test when applying for a job at an ad agency. I apparently passed the test because I was hired and worked there for 5 years. A friend later told me that she was not hired after taking the same test.
• It's not uncommon to have to submit writing samples as part of a job application process. Employers want to see if you can communicate effectively and professionally and it often tells something about how an applicant thinks through a challenging issue. But submitting a writing sample for a freelance gig to review grant proposals? I submitted a couple of blog postings...I haven't heard from them.
• A friend has recently been asked to submit written recommendations to a potential employer as part of her interviewing process. This is a job she's really interested in so of course she wants to be strategic and smart and demonstrate her talents and thinking, and she should do the best job she can. But it seems to me that the employer is also getting some free ideas...
• Another friend has had multiple meetings with a nonprofit organization that was interested in working with her on a contract basis. She's interviewed, been to meetings, had conference calls, and has submitted at least 3 proposals, outlining how she would handle their work, including objectives, a plan of action, and a timeline. They decided not to move forward at this time. Did they get a free plan in the process?
• Aptitude and skills testing is common among professions in which mastery of particular talents, creative skills, software, language is critical to finding the best fit for the job. This often involves a test project to determine if the applicant can actually do what her resume says she can. 
• Many employers want to run a credit check on a potential employee to determine if he/she is in financial trouble already (that person is identified as a potential risk); this is an even more relative issue now. Quite recently, in completing applications, I have had to consent to the employer running a credit check on me. 
• Each job is different, but the process to apply for Federal government jobs requires one to complete a questionnaire relevant to the qualifications necessary for the job, along with essays. This is part of the KSAs, in which a"screener" is evaluating the application before sending only the highest scoring applications along to the hiring manager. It's a time-consuming process; I can only hope they can streamline the  process if indeed Federal hiring is expected to increase.

What are some of the unusual job tests you've had to endure? What unusual interview questions have you encountered?


Good luck to all who are patiently sending resumes, networking, interviewing, and hoping for that next perfect job. 

The effect of unemployment on Metro

I just heard a report this evening that Metro ridership has dropped since the fatal Metro accident earlier this year, causing the Metro board to be very concerned with the loss of revenue. 

I wonder, though, about how the loss of jobs and thousands of people who are no longer commuting on Metro is affecting Metro revenues.  While economists and the media seem particularly interested in the number of people filing for unemployment each month and the fact that the number is falling, judging the end of the recession and the promise of an economic recovery by that same number, it seems very inadequate to me.

Are they also analyzing how the people who have been laid off are no longer spending money to travel on Metro daily nor spending money parking cars in the Metro parking lots? Metro may be suffering a severe lack of confidence in the public's opinion due to accidents, continuing delays, inefficient service, and inadequate or unqualified staff that are resulting in fewer travelers on Metro, but that certainly isn't the whole story.

For those of us who have been laid off in the past couple of years, we are cutting back on spending and determing what is a "need to have" and what is a "nice to have." This affects restaurants, clothing stores, gas stations, coffee shops, theaters, and more.

In September 2008 the reported unemployment rate (from the Bureau of Labor Statistics) for the Washington DC area was 4%. As of the end of August the reported unemployment rate for the area: Washington 11.1% (this is above the national average of 9.8%), Maryland 7.2% and Virginia 6.5%. Of course the unemployment rates would be even higher if the people who are discouraged and no longer seeking a job were also included in these numbers.

Over the last twelve months, the number of employed residents in the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 64,000. The good news may be that the firings are decreasing but the hiring is not yet happening on a wide scale basis. As of the end of June, 199,800 people in the Washington metro area were looking for work. That's a lot of people no longer contributing to the tax base, Metro revenues, local subscriptions, contributions to charities, support of performing arts organizations, as well as to a variety of local businesses.

The media may be reporting on supposed good news in the economic recovery, but a vast number of people who are out of work and want to work aren't seeing it yet.

One man's trash is another man's treasure

Coupon clipping. Bargain hunting. Selling on eBay.  Buying on Craigslist. Finding on Freecycle. All are excellent ways to help the old budget, especially while the economy is in the toilet, people who have jobs aren’t getting – or requesting – raises, and many of us don’t have jobs.

I’ve noticed that even people who are employed are more conscientious about their spending, apprehensive about possible layoffs in their companies and fearful about the future.  We’re all looking at ways to save, live more frugally, and still enjoy life.

So, I have been looking at all kinds of ways to stretch my budget yet still allow me to do the things I enjoy doing – concerts, movies, travel, home projects.  I have been using this time off to get rid of things I no longer need or want through donations to Goodwill and Salvation Army (think tax deductions as well as clothes and home goods going to people who need them). I’ve also subscribed to Freecycle.org, the online site that allows people to recycle items they no longer want—at no charge. People post an item they want or one they want to get rid of. There is no charge for either the giver or the receiver; it’s simply a way of recycling goods that might otherwise get thrown into the trash or clutter up one’s home. There are some great things on Freecycle and what a terrific way to match items with people who are happy to have them.

But, I have to admit, I am amazed by how many things have the “ewwww” factor. Do people really give away opened and partially used personal things (I’m not talking appliances and building supplies here)…and do other people really want them? In the name of public interest, saving money, and my own sense of “can you believe people really do that,” I had to share with you some of the items I have legitimately seen posted on these sites. Really. I’m a big believer in recycling, but some of these have gone too far for my taste…plus some of them make me very curious about the person offering the goods…or they are certainly worthy of a good laugh.

(Note: The spellings and language are those of the posters – not mine; I have eliminated all contact information, in the interest of privacy of the posters.):

FREE TO GOOD HOME - The following products have been opened but are fine & I'd rather not throw away if someone wants them.
1)1/4 container (30oz) of Thick it
2)1/2 container (64oz) prune juice
3)1/4 container (18oz) prunes

Call if interested or you know anyone who is.

Well, sounds like someone needed some help with stomach issues…

OFFER: King Size Bed Spread

King Size bed spread with a few matching pillows (gold and beige threading)- gently used but needs to be dry cleaned

Really, would you honestly offer a bedspread to someone that you had not washed or cleaned first???

OFFER: My daughter has decided that she does not like the trix yogurt.
3 strawberry/kiwi
2 cotton candy
expire. Oct.2

OFFER: Long-Handled Dog Pooper Scooper Pan.  This is one half of a set purchased this year -- shovel/hoe not included. In great condition, used very little.

OFFER: 1. Two white cat statues ~ 7inchs high with blue ribbon collors and straw hats (hollow, light weight ceramic)
2. Thermas #1: Aladdin 1 liter. good for soup, has lid/soup bowl --- NEEDS GOOD CLEANING, BEEN IN GARAGE FOREVER
3. Thermas #2: Igloo 1/2 gallon with flip up pour spout in lid --- NEEDS GOOD CLEANING, BEEN IN GARAGE FOREVER
4. Four misc glasses and two misc mugs (not matching set)
5. 2qt/liter tall plastic container with pour lid (not a spout, just able to pour throw hole in lid w/ it's own little lid)
6. Good Seasons Oil holder? I'm not sure if that's what it is but it's my best guess

all items will need some level of cleaning...they' ve been stored in a dusty garage for some time. Please let me know which one(s) you are interested in in your reply.

Who gives away thermoses or other things they haven’t even washed first!!

OFFER:  crutches (20878)
1 pair aluminum, like new, adjustable for height 5'2" to 5'10"
I can leave by front door.  Just let me know when.

Coupons – even those that are mailed to your house regularly—seem to appear regularly on freecycle:

OFFER: 3 Coupons for Nasonex worth the lessor of your co-pay amount or $15 each. Expire 12/31/09

WANTED: alli pills
hi im looking for alli pills, that are not open,thanks! !

You can't fail to be amused by the bathroom-related postings:

TAKEN:  Potty Ring for Toddler

Wanted: Training Underwear (Vinyl )
Does anyone have some training pants available that are not being used? I could really use some for potty training. With or without the cloth diaper built it. Thanks.

And miscellaneous stuff:

Wanted:  fill dirt
We need some fill dirt or loose rocks/stones to fill in a big hole.

OFFER: 5 Empty McCormick spice jars with green cap

All in all, freecycling, recycling is a good thing. But the postings often make me very curious about some of the people, their homes, and what in the world they are thinking. Happy recycling.

Beauty in the US...and opportunities

View from Arlington House

(Photo taken with my iPhone so it's impossible to see the detail and vast perspective one sees from Arlington.)

Take advantage of opportunities that come your way. I was fortunate to receive an invitation to attend a special WETA screening event this past Saturday night – a preview of the new Ken Burns and WETA production of The National Parks for PBS.

We who are temporarily idle (otherwise known as PLODs -- People Laid Off-Damn!) are thrilled to be invited to something new and free, particularly if it’s in a spectacular setting. Along with local friends as well as friends visiting from Seattle and Dallas, I was delighted to attend the preview screening on the front lawn of Arlington House, a spectacular and historic national park site itself (it was the home of Robert E. Lee and his family), at the top of Arlington National Cemetery.  With a panoramic view of Washington, DC across the river, on a crystal clear evening as the sun was going down and a Fall chill in the air, stars twinkling above us and the enormous columns of Arlington House looming behind us, it was a brilliant and thought-provoking environment for a historical and beautiful look at the U.S.

I was reminded of the immigrants who were so struck by the natural beauty of the land and trees that they were inspired to paint and photograph and preserve the spaces that we now know as The Great Smoky Mountains National Park or as Yosemite. I was reminded of the Native Americans who were living here, creating homes and sacred spaces long before many of our European ancestors had even heard of the New World. I was reminded of the abundance of trees and wildlife native to the U.S. and preserved for us to enjoy now and for generations to come.

And now some flacking for PBS and WETA (and in the name of full disclosure, I am a contributor to WETA and a big fan of PBS).  The National Parks (the series) was filmed over 6+ years at some of nature's most spectacular locales: from Acadia to Yosemite, Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon, the Everglades to the Gates of the Arctic. The National Parks: America's Best Idea is a story of people. The show premieres Sunday, September 27. It’s a must see.

You can find out more about the program at:

http://www.weta.org/local/parks/about

I’m planning to not miss an episode and to travel vicariously through my television and PBS…all the while planning my next USA adventure to a National Park.

Reminder to self:

There is still a world to discover in the U.S. – from Yosemite to Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon to Big Bend. As much as I want to visit India and Peru and Egypt and scores of other countries, there is so much of the U.S. that I still haven’t seen. I need to hit the road again!

And for the unemployed, underemployed, or mis-employed (i.e. you don’t like your job):

• Don’t turn down an invitation.
• Don’t sit around moping and feeling sorry for yourself. Get out and do something.
• One never knows where inspiration or a moment of clarity will come from. It may be right in your own back yard.

What's a Job Got to do With It?

I feel so fortunate to have the extensive benefits that are available through my former employer-sponsored health care insurance and through COBRA. I am able to go to almost any doctor and get every concern taken care of, including skin problems, dental checkups, eye exam, and any illness or major health problem, if I had any.

I am also very blessed to be in good health: no broken bones or accidents, no diseases or illnesses, no major health concerns. (Thank you good family genes!) However it's incredibly reassuring to know that I can be treated for any small concern I have and that my office visit, the lab tests, any procedures, and prescriptions are all or mostly covered by my health insurance. I still have out of pocket costs, but they are usually not terribly expensive.

Many Americans who do not have employee-sponsored health insurance (and I will be one of those people when my COBRA runs out) elect to purchase individual, private health plans (very expensive), go without insurance, or go without health care entirely unless some catastrophic emergency lands them or a family member in the hospital. And these are not necessarily all unemployed folks who fall into this category. Many who decide they must (due to financial concerns) forgo health insurance are people who work part time, are self employed, work as contractors or freelancers, or work for very small companies with no health care benefits.

A comment I have heard many times this year from my unemployed friends and colleagues is, “I really need to look for a job in order to be eligible for health insurance.”  Many of these are people who would love to do freelance consulting or be self employed and could probably make enough income to make it work…cover their mortgages, put food on the table, live a pretty normal life. In other words, they could be successful, taxpaying, small business owners, consultants, and freelance workers.

But there is the overwhelming fear of not having or not being able to afford health insurance…and the greater fear of “what if.” What if I get cancer? What if I have to go to the hospital? What if I have to have expensive tests? What if I get into a car accident and have serious injuries?  This becomes even more of an issue as people age (I’m talking middle age here, not the elderly) and become more conscious of the growing potential for something to go wrong.

Isn’t there another way to help make health insurance affordable for people who would like to achieve the “American dream” and be entrepreneurial and forge their own way?  We all know that it’s harder to find a professional, corporate (or government or association or healthcare or education) job as we get older--ask any middle aged person how many job interviews he or she has managed to arrange after sending out scores of resumes.

Does anyone really want to take a job just to obtain health insurance benefits? Of course, there is more to it than that…there is the regular salary and helping an organization reach its goals, and learning new skills, feeling a sense of personal achievement and satisfaction, and security.

If the rate of unemployment continues to grow, as economists predict it will (at least until 3Q10), then inevitably there will be more and more people without health care. I’m convinced that a good number of those people will never be employed by a corporation again, thus will not be eligible for employee health insurance.

Employee-sponsored health insurance is a wonderful thing. It would seem that the brilliant minds in this country should be able to put together ideas and a plan so it’s not the only option for people seeking affordable health insurance. 

Is anyone looking out for the best interests of the people?

Advice for the Newly Laid Off

Baltic sunset

The sad reality of 2009 is that many people continue to lose their jobs...not just from a slumping economy but as a result of corporate re-organization (join the club!), new management, a change of administration, re-prioritizing how budgets are allocated, corporate mergers, and changing business models, just to name a few.  It certainly helps those of us who have been laid off to not feel so alone or so stigmatized that we're not currently in the workforce. We know that we're out of work, not from some egregious mistake or poor performance in our previous jobs, but from circumstances totally out of our control.

We now have more people to lunch with, to sneak off to a movie with in the middle of the afternoon, or to commiserate with about the resume and job search process. It helps to know we're all in this together.


I am feeling particularly sad this week that many dear friends and colleagues have lost their jobs in the past week. These were long-time, highly-dedicated, competent professionals who dedicated long hours to the success of the organization they worked for, insuring their teams, their clients, and their company thrived and met their goals. They are people who would always go the extra mile to insure the work was done to perfection or to take on additional projects and responsibilities.


It's very difficult to say anything to help the newly jobless feel better about their situation. They know it wasn't their fault but still there are the personal and professional ties with a former workplace...and the odd feeling to be at home during the day. There will be ups and downs each week but, based on personal experience, most of us come out of these transitions smarter, stronger, and better able to deal with what life throws at us. 

Copenhagen mailboxes

A few words of advice -- partially based on what I've learned and on what wise people have shared with me -- for my friends and others:

• Make time to relax and rejuvenate yourself: use this time to break away from the stress-filled, deadline-driven corporate world by doing something you enjoy or have wanted to accomplish at home. Pot a plant, read a book, plan your next vacation, go to a movie, clean the garage.
• Get outside every single day: go for a walk and really see things, or simply sit outside and enjoy the sounds around you, bike to Starbucks, rent a kayak or canoe at a local lake. (Then remember that most people are toiling away in dull cubicles or offices while you're enjoying this beautiful time of year.)
• Read: novels, non-fiction books, career planning books, online trade newsletters and magazines, creative blogs, newspapers...anything to keep your mind stimulated and active.
• Move: exercise, do yoga, swim, walk, take a dance class...all these things make us feel better physically but also affect our mental well-being. 
• Stay in touch with people: talk to friends, family, former colleagues. It can help to have someone you're accountable to for getting something done each day, or whose shoulder you can cry on when you're having a bad day. Plan lunches or dinners with friends and surround yourself with a "support group" of people who are going through what you're going through. 
• Intellectual and cultural stimulation: think about professional or personal skills you want to enhance and sign up for a class...Spanish, cooking, art history, HTML? Take advantage of museums, art galleries and historic sites -- a weekday is a great time to go and we're surrounded with great things to see and do for free.
• Take advantage of free: since we unemployed people are very conscientious about money, be on the lookout for the multitude of free concerts (military bands play all over the DC area and many communities have free concerts occasionally), area gardens and parks (such as Brookside Garden in Wheaton, MD), walking the C&O Canal, drive to a local orchard, DC museums (and those off the beaten path places like Dumbarton Oaks), 
• Revel in your freedom while you plan your next step in life!!!

Mount Vernon

Smithsonian Castle/Enid Haupt Garden

Washington National Cathedral

Road trip

National Arboretum

Waterlily at Kenilworth Water Gardens


















Plan, dream, play, live, enjoy...what do you want to do?

Help Wanted: Branding Expert for Obama Administration

Why is the Obama administration having such a hard time branding their health care reform package? With some of the brightest minds in the country and loads of people who acknowledge that change needs to be made, this seems to have become a huge communication fiasco.

Now, I don't know that the health care reform ideas that have been presented are the end-all, be-all of what the country needs, and there is much work and discussion to be done, however someone in the administration seems to have miscalculated that how you sell in an idea is often just as important as the idea itself. Ask any advertising person! Advertising creatives come up with brilliant ads and TV spots every day...insuring the work is on strategy. But the work also includes telling a story, insuring a client gets how the idea makes sense and relates to its target audience and how it will make a difference.  There is persuasion and communication. If an advertising person just put the ideas on the table with little or no engagement, then they aren't doing their job effectively.

The conservative pundits and outspoken minority have been skilled at creating phrases for people to latch onto and to scare the heck out of the public: death panels and government run health care, among them. Remember that they also brilliantly created the "pro-life" movement (is there any one on both sides of this issue who honestly can say that they aren't in favor of life), "Country First," and "Contract with America."

A lot of advertising and marketing people have been laid off in the past year. Can’t someone help this administration do a more effective job of:

• Selling in their ideas
• Communicating the benefits
• Dealing with opposing views.

Just Breathe

Glacier Point, Alaska

There is something uniquely relaxing about regular and focused breathing. I get so involved in what I'm doing--whether walking or cleaning or weeding through emails--that I often forget to take those nice, deep, cleansing breaths that feel so good.

I was lucky enough to have a personal Pilates instruction last week led by one of my dearest friends who reminded me throughout about the rhythmic breathing to accompany each exercise, each movement. Just a deep breath in and a nice long exhale. I could almost feel it slowing my heart rate and helping me to be more mindful of what I was trying to do. Plus the exercises felt rejuvenating and calming at the same time.

Though not a yoga practitioner, I'm sure it's this regular and concentrated breathing that enables yoga aficionados to do such beautiful poses and feel a sense of calm and well being.

I have found that focusing on my breathing – deeply breathing, then exhaling -- has helped me through multiple medical procedures and trying situations in the past year: I used concentrated breathing during a long and uncomfortable dental procedure; breathing helped me to not obsess on the severe discomfort of a gyn procedure; focused breathing helped me to cope with 2 skin biopsies and a laser procedure which felt like bees stinging my skin. I find I also am concentrating on my breathing when in traffic jams or when going on a job interview. It's an amazing tool that I will continue to cultivate.

Now, what happens when told to take a breath...then don't move and don’t breathe? If you're like me, and you are also being squeezed in the gigantic machinery called mammography, you immediately can't breathe anyway and any semblance of relaxation is immediately dissipated. Poof! Inhale. I gasp for air as soon as I can pull away from the monster machine. Nope, breathing didn’t really help me through this one, but I won’t give up.

Imagine how focused breathing might change the world for the better if everyone learned to take a deep breath then exhale slowly on a regular basis or before they open their mouths to speak. Perhaps politicians could learn take a deep breath (or several) before making rude and insensitive remarks about colleagues or people who have different opinions than they do. People could be taught to take a deep breath when they are dissatisfied and frustrated in a restaurant, or a store, or in traffic. Young people could learn to breathe deeply and concentrate before lashing out in anger or using weapons to settle a dispute.  Maybe we need some deep breathing to open up civil discussions on health care for Americans.

Now, just breathe…

Labor Day Redux

I had intended for a Labor Day post to be published while I was blissfully away with no Internet access for 5 days, however I was ill-prepared before I left so am resurrecting my Labor Day thoughts today (while it's still Labor Day week).

Labor Day: a "day dedicated to the social and economic achievements of the American worker...a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country."*


It seems like a weird concept to celebrate when one isn't working. For years, I would look forward to Labor Day weekend and a chance to enjoy 3 glorious days of R&R. In my area of the country, that typically means 90-degree temperatures, humid days, lots of sunshine and, with so many people at the beach or traveling, the neighborhood is often quiet and peaceful. Typically I might visit with friends, see a movie, visit the National Gallery of Art or another museum or art gallery, go shopping, and do yard work (what fun).  The weekend was always a chance to rest and get reinvigorated for the next few months of work craziness before year end: often business planning, budget review, clients spending money or getting incremental money to support new initiatives. In other words, gearing up for crazy time.


But this year, as an unemployed worker-in-transition, can I legitimately still celebrate Labor Day? Do my past 30+ years of labor count and are they something to celebrate?

I suggest that Labor Day should be a celebration of and for all American workers: those currently and happily employed, those not employed but who would like to be, those who are now retired, the self-employed, and former workers who are having a hard time finding a new job in this horrible economy. In their own way, they all contribute to the economic well being of the U.S.


Even we unemployed Americans buy groceries and gasoline, pay our mortgages, keep up the car payments and maintenance, subscribe to newspapers and magazines, go to the movies, do home repairs, visit the dentist...all of which contribute to the employment of other Americans. I feel good about that. I want to think that our economy will improve, that Americans -- employed and unemployed -- will have access to health care, that we will all continue to save for that "rainy day" that is here now, that I'll be able to save for a future retirement once again, and that my friends who have also been laid off this year will find meaningful and rewarding employment.


So for Labor Day 09, I believe it's a time to celebrate those of us who work and those of us who wish we were working. We've all been carrying an extra load for the past year: the employed pick up the slack for people who have been laid off, and the unemployed try every way possible to muddle through and keep going and remain optimistic that the right job is out there. So cheers to all and wishes for future Labor Day celebrations!

 
*U. S. Department of Labor

Nostalgia for First Day of School

Remember the promise of that first day of school? It was the start of a new school year, with the unknown but the excitement of what was to come...teachers whose reputations we were already aware of, interesting classes but not-so-fun homework, seeing friends again. 


And we all "refreshed" ourselves to start the school year: new back to school clothes; shiny, leather shoes (we didn't wear sneakers in those days); new crayons, pencils, and erasers.

I loved that feeling of the new-ness of it all – the fresh sharpness of a new set of crayons in elementary school before I’d worn the periwinkle or the cornflower blue down to a stump of a crayon (and longing for the box of 48 or 64 crayons which I never seemed to have). I liked the feel of the yellow No. 2 pencils before the erasers had worn down to the metal and the wood snapped in half while pressing too hard during a test.  I liked putting on those nice, unscuffed shoes with my brand-new white anklets (even though I probably wore the same style of Buster Brown shoes for years because of my narrow feet). I don’t think stylish was a word we considered in back to school shopping in those days; the overriding concern probably was to purchase things that were functional and durable.

I remember that feeling of adoring the start of a new school year so clearly, and after 16 years of orienting our lives around the school calendar and continuing that focus with my children, I still sense that anticipation about the start of a new school year. I enjoyed helping my daughters to get ready for the new year and visiting the classroom the day before school began to meet the teacher so she would know, of course, that my children were unusually bright and gifted and extraordinary students. I loved the tradition of taking their pictures on the first day of school, with lunchboxes in hand and new backpacks – from Little Mermaid to JanSport to Vera Bradley – in front of our house on that first day as we awaited the school bus. Usually someone had a goofy grin and begged me to not take a photo or to at least do it quickly. Then as I walked them to the front door of school (early elementary years) or as they boarded the school bus, I always had tears since I knew my little ones were moving on without me and growing up and I was so proud of them. They were off to face new challenges and to become people on their own, with the nurturing of many wonderful teachers.

However, this is the first autumn in many, many years that I'm sending no one off to school. I still had that yearning to buy new supplies, stock the refrigerator, buy a cute lunchbox, check the stores for back to school sales…but my better sense prevailed. As I saw parents walking their little ones to school this week, cameras in hand, I missed that sense of excitement and waiting to find out how the first day went.

But as adults, the school year still feels like a time for a fresh start and I do have a renewed energy for what lies ahead.