One Step Forward...

I spoke with a recruiter/job coach today. I will call him "G". G had some great advice on a few books and websites I should be perusing and taking advantage of.

The best part was he is first completely neutral advice I have gotten. He is not a family member or a friend. He is completely objective and speaks from 20 years of career counseling. The guy knows what he is talking about and how to handle his clients. (no offense family and friends!)

G was very positive, very understanding and let me know that it's OK to be frustrated. Not only is it tough not knowing what you want to do, but adding in the current economy it can be even more scary and volatile.

He also mentioned that people around you can make things worse by telling you to "just get a job". It's like alcoholism, if you haven't been there, you don't know what it's like. I get that. It's true. They may think they are helping but it just adds extra pressure to the stewing pot. That's when I tend to rebel and shut off and let's be honest, that isn't helling anyone, especially me! I need to let it roll off and stay focused.

It's not an easy road, and you have to ask yourself some tough questions. G started me out with some initial questions. Every question leads to another until you find what you need to move forward. It's my job to take his initial questions and delve deeper. I need to examine areas I have not yet looked at, or have not looked at hard enough.

I look forward to making some (long needed) progress and speaking with him again to re-evaluate. I was very skeptical at first, because as most of you know, I have a hard time asking for help... but I am glad I spoke with G today. It is very similar to the career advice I was getting from books a few months ago before the layoff, but it makes a big difference having a "Master Po" to lead you. A little of that "career-confusion' fog has dissipated from my head because of that conversation.

Ship-Shape!

Whilst hiking a short beginner to intermediate hike in the Adirondacks last week, I realized something I never thought would happen. I am out of shape. Now that I typed that, that is definately an understatement! I have always stayed fairly in-shape with minimal work on my part, but in the last few years my lifestyle has really taken it's toll. That hike I took? I used to be able to do it with no issues and no stops. This time, I stopped 4 times and the 5th time I almost passed out! Low sugar and not enough water probably played a part but the big thing is I am 20 -30 pounds overweight and I need to get serious.

In an effort to get some activity in every day and a few higher impact activities 3-4times a week, I have begun walking the lovely hilly neighborhood by Pinky's house and I have gotten my mountain bike back on the trail. I actually just got back from a little jaunt on my bike, and I had all but forgotten how good that exercise high feels. I LOVE IT! I used to be able to bike 10-15 miles and hike all weekend. I need to get that back.

Not only do I have a wedding of a close friend I am in coming up in November, but recent family health issues have made me more aware. Now that I am 33, my metabolism works differently and I need to put time into losing weight and maintaining muscle and tone. I refuse to let genetics get the better of me so soon and I know I need to get my butt in gear or I will end up looking like this:




PS) We all know PieHole is on Facebook,right? When I last looked at her (real)account she had 3 friends, a fat lady, a guy that looked like a teacher and one of her daughters. When I looked today she is down to 2 friends, her daughter and some new lady. I wonder what happened to her other friends...

Medieval Madness! by Evan D.

Hi I'm Evan and this is the Joust! The knights fight until one falls off his horse! Its fun. The horses are covered in armor! They are probably sweating in their armor.





Mom and I went on a camel ride. His name was Oscar. It felt lumpy but fun! I was thinking that I was going to fall off but I didn't.



I went pillow-fighting with my Aunt Carol. We had to balance on a log and hit each other with pillows. If you fell off you lost. I knocked Aunt Carol off 3 times! Because I won, they gave me a certificate that said I was the Squire of the Moss and Aunt Carol would have to do anything that I wanted to do for the rest of the day!





A Note From CC:

Whilst running through the Shire that day we saw many interesting characters. At one point we went throught the MAZE and as I entered I yelled "Where is David Bowie when you need him??!" Now if you are a fan of Bowie and Labrynth you get the joke, but little did I know that there was a guy roaming the Faire dressed as "David Bowie from the movie Labrynth. We didn't see him until the end of the day just before we left, but how psychic am I? It's a blurry pic, so it feels like a Flight of the Conchords dream sequence...

Batman, Catwoman, The Batmobile and Me

On Saturday, another childhood dream came true! Chantal and I went to the Syracuse Nationals car show so that I could meet Adam West (1960's series Batman) and Julie Newmar (The BEST 1960's series Catwoman) and see the Batmobile.

I remember when I was little, probably 7 or 8 years old, the only thing besides food (lunch , dinner, ice cream) that would coax me out of the pool was Batman. At 3pm my brother Mark would yell "CC! 3 o'clock!! Batman!" and we would jump out of the pool and into our towels to sit and watch a half hour of silly. Even Mom allowed it, and the tv was practically unplugged and gathering dust in the summer from lack of use!

Batman/Bruce Wayne 1966

Adam West and I:

Catwoman 1966:

Julie Newmar and I:

1966 Batmobile:

Me in the Batmobile!!!!!:



Both Adam West and Julie Newmar were gracious and so nice. Adam West sang to me, and I think he thought I was cute...His face lit up when it was my turn but it's probably just because I followed after the two fat old guys! lol! Julie Newmar let me sit right with her for my pic (West's guy wouldn't let anyone behind the table: Boooo!!!) She was so friendly and I was like a deer in headlights when she looked at me and smiled. Those EYES!! She IS Catwoman!

It was an Awesome day! Thanks to Chantal for going with me!

Randomness for Monday

Just some random things to post quickly, since I feel like I have been completely off the grid!

First, has anyone seen the ads for G-Force, the animated Gerbils who are spys? Yea, well, I think someone saw my blog a few years ago with all my "Squirrel Ops" pictures and made it into a movie with Gerbils. I wish I had Hollywood connections for all the ideas I have. Immitation is the highest form of flatery or so it's said. I personally would rather have a cut of their profits! lol


Nate sent me this completely random Batman poster: Too Funny.



Another gem that Nate had sent me this week is a link to a rather lengthy (almost 12 minutes!) although accurate discussion of the inspiration for the famous Indy Movie moments we all love and the "Dumbest Moments" in Indiana Jones movie History. If you are a true Indy Fan like us, you will appreciate it...especially since that movie that I don't consider an Indy film, or as I refer to it "The Film that Shall Not be Named" dominates with 4 or 5 out of the 10 Dumbest moments list!

Heading to Kathy's for a little B-Day gathering for Erin today. She is turns 19 today. CRAZY! Happy Birthday to Erin!:)