First--there is a job fair Thursday, April 23, at TCC for both students and the community. Yes, I'll be competing with the students for jobs, and no, there doesn't look to be a whole lot of jobs in my field. But I'm going, nevertheless. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Many employers will be there.
Second--there is a Musicians Fund benefit for Dean Tsapralis at the Imperial Dragon Restaurant this Sunday, April 26, from 2:30 - 10:00 p.m. 6805 6th Ave. Many bands will be there. Come, party, and help a good friend.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
For Linda - Here's to 50 More!
My sister is awesome. Actually, both my sisters are awesome, but this one is for Linda, who is going to be turning 50 this month. Lin always enjoyed a healthy appetite and spirit, but started getting concerned about her energy level and general health a few years ago. In her usual decisive manner, she took the bull by the horns, got a few books, and went vegan. Two years later, she really dropped a bomb by announcing that she quit drinking (an event which, for a Wisconsin girl, is akin to hell freezing over). Then, after reading up on raw foods, she took the final step into a totally raw, gluten free diet. Now, lest you think Lin has turned into one of these nit-picky, preachy, tee-totally types, au contraire! She still has her bawdy sense of humor and her live-and-let-live attitude, and she still loves her omnivorous, tippling sisters.
I found myself sounding suspiciously like our mother as I asked her if she was getting enough vitamins and minerals, but she assured me she was. I still had trouble imagining a happy life without brats, beer, cheese, and pasta, but after being wowed by this recipe she sent me, I can rest easy that she is finding delicious things to eat. As an omnivore, I can attest that this fabulously pungent, garlicky cilantro pesto will stand up against any pesto containing “forbidden” products. It calls for a few products not in most peoples’ cupboards, but they are out there. I did substitute kelp for the dulse, which seemed to work fine. Chlorella is expensive, but you only need a pinch and Lin had a bunch, so she sent me some in the mail. I questioned the wisdom of sending a baggie full of mysterious green powder in the mail, but it arrived safely, I was not arrested, and it didn’t look like anyone tried to open it and smoke it.
I also questioned the purpose of soaking the nuts and seeds overnight. It seemed to me like that might leach the nutrients out, but Lin had an answer. Soaking causes them to sprout, which actually adds nutrients. This pesto is a chelating agent, which means it binds with heavy metals to remove them from the cells and allows them to be eliminated from the body. Of course, it then adds good nutrients back into the body from the nuts, seeds and greens. And it is delicious. I invited a friend over to help me sample it, and we devoured massive amounts, albeit not exactly in the manner Linda intended for us. While she uses this as a dressing over lettuce, we immediately ruined the purity of it by slathering it on oven-warmed French bread, sprinkling it with grated parmesan, and washing it down with more than a few glasses of red wine. Sorry, Lin!
One final word; I didn’t have all the kitchen tools that are listed here, and did fine with just a blender and a spatula. So don’t let a lack of stuff keep you from trying this recipe. Without further ado, here’s the recipe, here’s to you, Lin, and here’s to fifty more!
Kitchen tools needed:
Food processor
Lemon squeezer
Glass Mason jar with cover
Rubber spatula
Garlic press
Ingredients needed:
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup raw Brazil nuts
1/3 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/3 cup raw pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons dulse flakes (a form of dried seaweed)
1 lemon, juiced
2 cups fresh cilantro (one bunch)
2/3 cups flax seed oil
1/3 cup distilled water (or more if you want more liquid)
1/8 teaspoon chlorella powder (dried fresh water algae)
Preparation:
Soak the nuts and seeds in some distilled water overnight; drain
Process all ingredients several minutes
Use spatula frequently around inside of processor
Refrigerate in glass Mason jar
Yield is two cups.
I found myself sounding suspiciously like our mother as I asked her if she was getting enough vitamins and minerals, but she assured me she was. I still had trouble imagining a happy life without brats, beer, cheese, and pasta, but after being wowed by this recipe she sent me, I can rest easy that she is finding delicious things to eat. As an omnivore, I can attest that this fabulously pungent, garlicky cilantro pesto will stand up against any pesto containing “forbidden” products. It calls for a few products not in most peoples’ cupboards, but they are out there. I did substitute kelp for the dulse, which seemed to work fine. Chlorella is expensive, but you only need a pinch and Lin had a bunch, so she sent me some in the mail. I questioned the wisdom of sending a baggie full of mysterious green powder in the mail, but it arrived safely, I was not arrested, and it didn’t look like anyone tried to open it and smoke it.
I also questioned the purpose of soaking the nuts and seeds overnight. It seemed to me like that might leach the nutrients out, but Lin had an answer. Soaking causes them to sprout, which actually adds nutrients. This pesto is a chelating agent, which means it binds with heavy metals to remove them from the cells and allows them to be eliminated from the body. Of course, it then adds good nutrients back into the body from the nuts, seeds and greens. And it is delicious. I invited a friend over to help me sample it, and we devoured massive amounts, albeit not exactly in the manner Linda intended for us. While she uses this as a dressing over lettuce, we immediately ruined the purity of it by slathering it on oven-warmed French bread, sprinkling it with grated parmesan, and washing it down with more than a few glasses of red wine. Sorry, Lin!
One final word; I didn’t have all the kitchen tools that are listed here, and did fine with just a blender and a spatula. So don’t let a lack of stuff keep you from trying this recipe. Without further ado, here’s the recipe, here’s to you, Lin, and here’s to fifty more!
Kitchen tools needed:
Food processor
Lemon squeezer
Glass Mason jar with cover
Rubber spatula
Garlic press
Ingredients needed:
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup raw Brazil nuts
1/3 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/3 cup raw pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons dulse flakes (a form of dried seaweed)
1 lemon, juiced
2 cups fresh cilantro (one bunch)
2/3 cups flax seed oil
1/3 cup distilled water (or more if you want more liquid)
1/8 teaspoon chlorella powder (dried fresh water algae)
Preparation:
Soak the nuts and seeds in some distilled water overnight; drain
Process all ingredients several minutes
Use spatula frequently around inside of processor
Refrigerate in glass Mason jar
Yield is two cups.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Jobless in Tacoma - Healthy on the Cheap
What an awesome day! Since I had put out a ton of resumes this week and was in a stall, I decided to blow out the cobwebs. So I packed a picnic lunch, put on a ton of layers, and got out on the bicycle at 9:45. My first destination was the Mad Hat Tea Company downtown, which I've been wanting to check out for a long time now--not only for their teas, but to post a note on their barter board. By the time I got there, my fingers were frozen (in spite of the two pairs of thick gloves I had on), so it was heaven to walk into that warm, cozy, welcoming place full of couches, books, artwork and interesting stuff. http://www.madhattea.com/
Tobin not only let me bring my bike in, but insisted I try a few different green teas. I ended up staying there nearly an hour, talking to him and some other customers who wandered in. They have really got a great business going there, and I think it would be fun to have a Saturday morning tea party there sometime with a bunch of folks. I did buy a bag of specialty tea for $4.50, but that was the only money I spent all day, and it will last a long time.
After that, I biked over to Dock Street and up over to Ruston way. A little before noon, it was warm enough for me to stop to eat my lunch and read my library book. I had brought a hard boiled egg, some jelly toast, an apple and some nuts, all from home. Food always tastes better after exercise and fresh air, and I pretty much inhaled it.
The next leg was going up at Ferdinand and over to Vassault/Narrows Drive, then south to catch the trail that goes along Highway 16. I ended up taking that east all the way to the end, a little past Steele at S. 25th. Then I headed north back home.
The icing on the cake came when I got a call to come in for an interview next Wednesday morning. Guess I'd better get a few more rides in before I lose my freedom!
Tobin not only let me bring my bike in, but insisted I try a few different green teas. I ended up staying there nearly an hour, talking to him and some other customers who wandered in. They have really got a great business going there, and I think it would be fun to have a Saturday morning tea party there sometime with a bunch of folks. I did buy a bag of specialty tea for $4.50, but that was the only money I spent all day, and it will last a long time.
After that, I biked over to Dock Street and up over to Ruston way. A little before noon, it was warm enough for me to stop to eat my lunch and read my library book. I had brought a hard boiled egg, some jelly toast, an apple and some nuts, all from home. Food always tastes better after exercise and fresh air, and I pretty much inhaled it.
The next leg was going up at Ferdinand and over to Vassault/Narrows Drive, then south to catch the trail that goes along Highway 16. I ended up taking that east all the way to the end, a little past Steele at S. 25th. Then I headed north back home.
The icing on the cake came when I got a call to come in for an interview next Wednesday morning. Guess I'd better get a few more rides in before I lose my freedom!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Job Fair Report - NW Territorial Mint at Emerald Downs
I have to say, after reading about how many thousands of people showed up at the Tacoma Rainiers' job fair a month or so ago, I was expecting a teem of humanity at Emerald Downs Sunday. But it was not so, at least in the morning when I was there. This was my first job fair, so here is a report for anyone who, like me, may not have ever been to one, and who wants to know what to expect.
I got there at 10:30 a.m. and got in line for the 11 a.m. opening. I had to negotiate a kind of maze of barricades to get in line (ah good, passed the maze test!), but it wasn't nearly filled up with people. In fact, I was only the 18th person in line. By the time the door opened, I estimated about 36 people in line total. It was cold, wet and raw outside, and I was the only one in a dress and nylons. There were maybe three guys in suits, some nice slacks outfits, and the rest were dressed probably for the production jobs. Lucky them, they were warm.
When the doors were opened, we were glad to note that the heat was on. From what the other folks in line had told me, that is not often the case out there. The fellow behind me had been at a job fair there the day before, and said that it was colder inside than out. We filed up to the first of about three areas. Here is where we gave our resume and name, and waited to be called to the second area for a quick screening. I was lucky in that I seemed to be the only one there for an accounting position, so I was called as soon as I sat down.
At the second area, there were many people at desks screening different positions. My screening took barely a few minutes, and then I was led to the third area, which was also filled with many different interviewers at desks scattered throughout. I was led to the finance representative, who asked me the usual questions about my experience, abilities, job philosophy, etc. I was told I may be called in a week or two if I am chosen to come in for further interviewing.
And that was it! A quick and painless process, run by pleasant folks who had it together. I was back in Tacoma before noon. See you at the next job fair!
I got there at 10:30 a.m. and got in line for the 11 a.m. opening. I had to negotiate a kind of maze of barricades to get in line (ah good, passed the maze test!), but it wasn't nearly filled up with people. In fact, I was only the 18th person in line. By the time the door opened, I estimated about 36 people in line total. It was cold, wet and raw outside, and I was the only one in a dress and nylons. There were maybe three guys in suits, some nice slacks outfits, and the rest were dressed probably for the production jobs. Lucky them, they were warm.
When the doors were opened, we were glad to note that the heat was on. From what the other folks in line had told me, that is not often the case out there. The fellow behind me had been at a job fair there the day before, and said that it was colder inside than out. We filed up to the first of about three areas. Here is where we gave our resume and name, and waited to be called to the second area for a quick screening. I was lucky in that I seemed to be the only one there for an accounting position, so I was called as soon as I sat down.
At the second area, there were many people at desks screening different positions. My screening took barely a few minutes, and then I was led to the third area, which was also filled with many different interviewers at desks scattered throughout. I was led to the finance representative, who asked me the usual questions about my experience, abilities, job philosophy, etc. I was told I may be called in a week or two if I am chosen to come in for further interviewing.
And that was it! A quick and painless process, run by pleasant folks who had it together. I was back in Tacoma before noon. See you at the next job fair!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Jobless in Tacoma - Growing Your Mind
We all know how important to create a good impression on an interview. But these days, with employers sifting through hundreds of applications for each job, the first priority is to make your resume stand out enough to be one of those lucky few who are called. I am no resume expert, but I will say that I have gotten interviews, and have a pretty high rating on some of my applications on file with various government agencies. So, for what it’s worth, here is something you may want to consider.
Of course, if you are collecting unemployment, you are not allowed to go to school. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn things on your own. Seminars, instruction downloads and software tutorials are all tools you can use to show a potential employer that you have been using your time to learn things rather than sit around and play video games. Take a seminar and you’ll get a certificate. Brush up on Excel and MS Word. Learn PowerPoint. You can do these things for a pittance, compared to what it costs for tuition, most of them on your home computer.
Then, note that you did these things on your cover letter or resume. “Intensive Self-study in Accounting Basics,” “Mastering PowerPoint,” and “Online Tutorial for Excel & Word” are all eye-popping ways of showing an employer that you are serious about growing your mind, and that you are capable of finding constructive ways to spend your time. Best of all, in doing these things, you WILL grow your mind. And that is something that will benefit you forever.
MS Office
Accounting Skills
Math Basics
Coming next - Report on today's Job Fair!
Of course, if you are collecting unemployment, you are not allowed to go to school. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn things on your own. Seminars, instruction downloads and software tutorials are all tools you can use to show a potential employer that you have been using your time to learn things rather than sit around and play video games. Take a seminar and you’ll get a certificate. Brush up on Excel and MS Word. Learn PowerPoint. You can do these things for a pittance, compared to what it costs for tuition, most of them on your home computer.
Then, note that you did these things on your cover letter or resume. “Intensive Self-study in Accounting Basics,” “Mastering PowerPoint,” and “Online Tutorial for Excel & Word” are all eye-popping ways of showing an employer that you are serious about growing your mind, and that you are capable of finding constructive ways to spend your time. Best of all, in doing these things, you WILL grow your mind. And that is something that will benefit you forever.
MS Office
Accounting Skills
Math Basics
Coming next - Report on today's Job Fair!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Jobless in Tacoma - Surviving & Thriving
"The Best Revenge is a Successful Life"
Ha--that line was probably written by the people who hope you don't take revenge on them! But, seriously--now that you have joined the rest of us in the quest for a new job, I thought we could share tips for growing our mind, saving money, keeping healthy and staying positive.
Absolutely first on my list was to channel my anger and frustration into constructive action. My mantra to myself: Do not let yourself get into a funk. Toss the boob tube, get up early, take some exercise and fresh air; then get on that computer, or to the library, or to Worksource, and hit it hard. The one thing you have now is time, so use it wisely. Get out the old boxes and files, and dig up the school dates and employment history you need for a full application, resume and cover letter. Get them made and save them for easy access. Once that is done, search this site for one-stop access to jobs posted on all the popular sites:
One of the best things I did was to start looking for free or cheap ways to supplement my knowledge, add abilities to my resume, and keep myself sharp for interviewers and testing. People in all fields can benefit from some basic accounting, either to learn anew, refresh what they know, or go to the next level. Admins can get off phone duty and advance their careers with accounting skills under their belt. Warehouse workers with some inventory control knowledge can move up the ladder. Department managers who actually understand budgeting are rare birds and are much desired over those who don't.
I found a fantastic website created by an accountant, and downloaded a huge PDF folder of easily understandable drills, exams, answers, explanations, and even fun crossword puzzles and word scrambles! These cover everything from basic debits and credits on up. The entire package was priced ridiculously low at $30. It is something I will use forever and strongly recommend. Here's the link: Click here to view more details
As for saving money . . . first and foremost, unless you are sick or taking lots of medications, screw the Cobra. I found high-deductible catastrophic insurance to tide me over for $119 a month, as opposed to nearly $500 for Cobra. Just scroll to the health insurance ad above right and click for fast quotes.
Speaking of healthy, another way to stay that way is to walk and bike everywhere, which saves on gas, too. It's a great way to blow out the cobwebs after sitting at the computer all morning. Here's a Tacoma bike map to get you going! http://yakima.co.pierce.wa.us/bikeatlasonweb/grid_04.pdf
Also, cook most of your meals at home. Rice and beans are cheap and fit easily in a backpack. Coupons and grocery wars abound. Watch the ads and get creative! Feel free to share recipes and grocery specials here.
Now for having fun on the cheap! After all the work above, you have earned it. And there is nothing better to chase away the funk than to stay in touch with fun and folks. Treat yourself to a few coffee shop mornings. Relax, read the paper, jaw with the locals, and maybe even pick up a few leads! You will find you are far from alone in being jobless. And after all the beans and rice at home, get out for a happy hour. See links to my favorite spots to the right and feel free to share yours. Remember, dancing is exercise, too!
My first blog--more to come!
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