Life OUTSideThe Box

So You Work At Home.. How Did You Get That Job??

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 22:30:00 +0000

Apply For It!

I applied for it, like you do any job.

But, in this case you have to look a little harder if you are angling toward working at home for a company or in an established industry. In my case, call center customer service, billing, etc.

Personally, I hate sales (which is probably why I suck at it) because I hate taking people's money when I know they can get a better deal or whatnot.

I have never been on the list of spectacular sales people. I did OK, when I had to but I much prefer a job where I don't have to actually talk someone into spending their money.

If they call me going “Hey I wanna spend some money” that's cool. I'll sell ya what I got. And I'll get you a great deal.

But if I'm calling or having to do the upsell on a customer service call it puts my stomach in knots. I hate it.

Not THIS Job, That One ^^

I hate it.

HATE

So I love the current position ( as much as I can at this point.. not their fault, totally me.. explain later).

Anyway...

If you are looking specifically for a work at/from home (remote, telecommute) job, the common sense thing to do is go to where these jobs are.

I already pointed you to the FB group where found 3 of my last 4 remote jobs.

Here ya go the link again: Legit W@H Source .

Also, Craiglisthas a number of offerings but be very careful of anyone asking personal info who does not first tell you:

Name of company

Work you'll be doing

Location or mode of training (onsite/remote)

Pay (rate/frequency)

Use your best judgment, but always be very VERY cautious of anyone trying to get money from you or have you deposit a check, etc. Yeh, you know the scamI'm talking about.

Anyway, while you're scoping the WAH field, be tailoring your resume to fit what you're looking for.

For me I already had WAH experience from years ago. My very first WAH job was as a PSO.

That stands for Phone Sex Operator.

Yes. I talked dirty for money.

And it was good money. Supported my kids for 2 good years. Where, you ask, does one find such a job? The most legit source I found (and I haven't looked in YEARS so things may have changed) is sexyjobs.com. Just as with CL, make sure you check and double check sources and info. Anyone asking for money upfront is suspect.

Nyah-Ha-Ha

And beware The Sleaze.

It exists. It is a Thing.

So, I had that on my resume for a while until I moved back into the far less risque field of call center customer servicing.

So how do you tailor that resume? Well, if you have no WAH experience highlight the skills and knowledge that a remote hire should have namely:

So hopeful...So delicate...
SO Important!

Time management

Ability to work unsupervised

Home office

Technical savvy

Multitasker

Most of these companies require you to have a reliable internet and/or phone connection in a quiet, private area of your home.

We operate on the highest residential they got because I am not the only one on it and 10 hours a day, four days a week I am a broadband hog.

I admit it. I am not ashamed.

In which case if you ARE submitting a resume targeted for at-home work, a blurb on your cover letter mentioning your tech setup or home office won't go unnoticed. Put it near the top or as the last thing at the bottom because HR people rarely really read every one of those things word for word. They don't have time. Most people are drawn to the beginning and the end of a document. Take advantage of homo sapiens nature.

So as a lovely bonus I'll be pasting my resume in here. It's been touched up a bit since I got this job last year (one never knows!) and it's not the best resume nor is it a perfect one.

But it got me this job :D

Gwendolyn B. Jordan

XXXXX Ave

FXXX TX 7XXX

Home office XXXX

Cell XXXXXX

gbjordan35@gmail.com

OBJECTIVE

Seeking gainful employment that is both personally & financially satisfying.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Customer service skills are foremost. Computer skills current. Extensive telephone and face-to-face customer care experience. Writing, blogging, data expert.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Guardian Liberty Voice

Journalist/Senior Editor/Training Assistant (9/19/2013-Present) Work at Home

Create articles on breaking, current news stories. Edit, proofread and publish articles to website following strict style and submission guidelines. Recruit and train potential candidate writers on style, submission and publication guidelines. Maintain ethical and moral standards of publication.

Convergys Corp: NorthEast

CAE(4/2/2013-9/19/2013) Telecommute

Accept inbound calls from Comcast video service customers. Technical support, account management; upgrades;

Schedule, confirm, or cancel appointments for service issues & equipment installation. Customer education

N.E.W. Corp: Sterling, VA

CCR (11/14/2011-2/8/2013) Telecommute

Accept inbound calls from DirecTV satellite television customers. Technical support, sales, billing. Schedule, confirm cancel appointments. Customer education on products & services.

Teleperformance Advanced Services Division: Shreveport, LA

Nesting Manager(1/11-8/13/11)

Manage team of new hires, identify & fill knowledge gaps. OTJ Training agent retention/improvement

Team Manager(7/10-1/11)

Manage team of 20-25. Scheduling, quality, call handling. Agent retention and improvement

CAE/TSE(4/10-7/10)

Inbound calls from subscribers pertaining to cable video technical support & billing. Schedule/reschedule service calls. Educate customer on products & services, policies & procedures.

Bright House Networks: DeLand, FL/Maitland, FL

RSR/Lead(1/08-1/26/10)

Assist & coach CSPs, escalated call handling.Error correction & account review/follow up

Customer Service Professional(12/05-1/08)

Inbound calls from subscribers pertaining to cable, high-speed Internet, and digital phone service. Billing, troubleshooting, appointment setting/confirming, account management.

Customer Service Excellence Certification, Bright House Networks:

Level II 2005

Level III 2006

Level III 2007

Level II 2008

NCTI:

Nov 2006 Cable Network Overview

Feb 2007 Excellence in Customer Service (Honor Graduate)

Sep 2007 Introduction to Business

Dec 2007 Introduction to PC Applications (Honor Graduate)

Mar 2008 HSD Customer Service (Honor Graduate)

Jun 2008 Advanced HSD Customer Service (Honor Graduate)

Oct 2008 Introduction to Marketing

O.D. Wyatt High School, Fort Worth, TX

Green B. Trimble Technical HS Adult Education Center, Fort Worth, Texas

GED

SSKILLS

Motivated, time management. Minimal supervision required, flexible & dependable. Type 50 wpm, 10-key sight & feel. Windows proficient. Certified in Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint. 14+ years Internet, 20+years Customer service, 14+ years tech support

References Available Upon Request

Next go round, we'll take a look at some work at home work yeah not jobs butwork that just about anybody can do.

Take care & Talk Soon

PS: Feedback about the blog redesign is appreciated. Also, make sure to look into the Stuff I Like >>>>>Over there >>>>>

It changes...

Working at Home.. What About the Baby??

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 18:11:00 +0000

So.. I fibbed.

I promised on blog before last I would tell how I manage to work full time at home with an 8month-old baby. I got distracted by football and then nostalgic for GLV.......

..Anyway. So Sorry.

About that full time working thing, and The Baby.

Like all of my kids he is/was breastfed (expand on this later). When I first went back to work this was problematic because I had to pump for him. And I had no pump. It wasn't planned that way, the time just got away from me.

Anyway, I got a sling and kept him with me as long as I could, but it came to a point where he got too wriggly and I had to pas shim off.

Understand I went back to work when RahRah was only 4 weeks old, so both of us were forcing the matter, I guess.

Anyway, my elder kids and my mom came to my rescue. Right now, I have a live-in on-call sitter who works for room and board.

And the occasional handful of Hershey's Kisses.

Thank you Alex. I love you bunches.

Sweet if you can get it.

So for those that can't get it... What to do?

While I was slingin' it with RahRah I did look into other options. Care.comis site where sooo many people sent me. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take advantage of it because I couldn't guarantee myself I would have the spare funds to pay the lady.

But for those that CAN, it's very easy and free to register. The site is extremely intuitive. Just click the link you need to get what you want.

Be specific about exactly what you need, meaning:

Seeking childcare (age(s), gender, special needs)

Where? Your home or theirs? Prefer a center?

Will you drop off?

Do they pick up? (driving record? insurance? car seat?)

Be specific about the person you're looking for:

Smoker/NS

OK around animals?

CPR Certified?

Nutritionally proficient?

Allergic to cats/dogs/birds/fish spit?

Include anything as a mother (or father) you want them to do extra, if needed:

Light housework

Minimal cooking

Walk the dog

I believe they have a form that walks you through most if not all of this, so it should be no problem to narrow your ad down to exactly what you need. And now...

Disclaimer:

I have not been compensated or solicited by Care.com or any of their affiliates, associates, employees or agents. The above information is from my own experience only and should not be factored in when deciding whether or not to utilize this service. I have not been nor am I now affiliated with Care.com other than registering as a prospective customer

I never posted a job on Care.com for the above mentioned reason. Instead I went to what it seems I always do: Facebook. I know, I know. It should get old but hey, Zuckerberg's Beast has merit...

Anyway, I posted this ad in a local group called Fort Worth Buy Sell & Trade:

RahRah @ 2mths

ISO sitter for 2 mth old 5d a week.
Mon/Tues 1030a-915p
Wed-Fri 1130a-915p.
In my home. Must be comfortable with large dog. Child is breastfed and I will take him on my breaks/lunch.
Reply with your desired rate.

I got several excellent replies from ladies I'm sure would've been wonderful with my RahRah. Again, I couldn't find the room in my budget to properly compensate anyone who needed to make a living at this.

Other options depend on your budget, from Human Services sponsored day care to the neighborhood sitter lady (historically closely associated with the neighborhood candy lady :D) to traditional day care centers. In our area we dial 211 for Depatment of Human Services (DHHS) but in Louisiana and in Florida it was different. .

Look into it, research and don't be afraid to interview and decline. If you like her/him but the rate is just a bit out of range, negotiate. People that watch kids for a living usually do it because (shockingly) they truly love being around children. Other people's children, even. All day. Really.

This is your kid, bottom line, and you cannot be too careful ever EVER with who is watching your baby. You cannot focus on work if you are stressed over what's happening with you tiny one. So handle this like you handle pretty much anything else you do as a Mom/Dad trying to work at home and make it work.

Now then.. we got some football to watch :D

Next go round we will look at how to tailor a resume to nab that At-Home job.

If I forget somebody please remind me....I got Football Brain yanno...

PS....If you're like me and not interested in ever needing a resume again, check out The Stuff I Like..

Over there>>>>>

Take care & talk soon

Writers Work At Home, Right?

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 23:39:00 +0000

I don't know if any of you are aware of this but I Freaking L O V E football.

I love it.

I am so so SO happy that football is back.

I don't care if its a repeat of a game or a game I already watched, If its on I'm watching it.

I've been watching football all day.

Once upon a time, I had a dream job. I am and always have been a writer. So I submitted an article on a hope and they hired me.

They didn't just hire me, they loved me. The owner/editor installed me as a sports writer when he realized how obsessed with football and MMA and the Olympics I am.

That's about it when it comes to my sports knowledge and enthusiasm, by the way, Pretty much anything else except tennis is ho hum for me.

The Guardian Liberty Voice is based out of Las Vegas ,Nevada and the Founder & Editor-in-Chief, DiMarkco Chandler was the best boss ever. His care and interest in his writers and editors as people is unmatched and so genuine there was pretty much nothing he couldn't ask of me. When I worked there, I had no job. It wasn't work. It was bliss.

The only reason I am not there now is because we had bills. And being a writer s not a job you do for the pay, really. It's akin to teaching in that way. It is a noble calling and a skill that is refined over time. Some are gifted with the ability and can influence everyone they come in contact with.

DiMarkco is such a person. He is the one boss I could argue with and cry with. I could tell him to go to hell and we would be laughing the next minute. He is real and he is human and he recognizes this in the people around him. In doing so, he embraces and uplifts those people, and has created something very unique and special at GLV.

When I worked there, a lot of the positions were offered through CraigsList. It's been a year and more so I'm not sure how they are recruiting these days but I am delighted to see they are still in operation.

Unlike most other “writing jobs”, GLV doesn't take your sample and say “here write something else and hope you get some clicks we can pay you for”.

GLV holds intensive training sessions called Boot Camp (at least they did) designed to ensure their writers adhere to set Style & Submission Guidelines. Being there and going through Boot Camp made me a better writer , no doubt about it, and gifted me with the joy of doing what I loved for a living, if only for a short time.

Writers are placed on teams and each article is edited and proof read by hand before publishing. If you are an aspiring writer and you want to follow that passion to its ultimate, GLV is the place to go.

Tell 'em Brandi sentcha.

Disclaimer::: The pay structure at GLV is very lucrative and fair for ALL the writers and editors. My situation was not the norm as I saw it. As long as writers met their obligations they got paid. I got paid for what I wrote and then some. No one at GLV was responsible for me leaving.

You Work At Home.. Really???

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 21:03:00 +0000

Since I came back to Texas I've been working from home. Not a bad gig if you can get it. Call centers outsource and third-party vendor companies mostly.

I have worked for 3 different corps and the one I'm with right now is by far the best so far. Excellent benefits, good hours, diversity and availability. Hands down it outstrips any other call center environment I've ever been in.

Understand, I have been call centering since I was 18-19 years old. Inbound and outbound, warm and cold calling, sales,surveys, customer service and tech support.

I have done, seen and heard it all. By phone, of course.

So how, you ask, does one find get and keep a good at-home job?

Well first you have to find the companies that are hiring home-based, or remote workers. “Telecommute” is a somewhat outdated term. I've noticed most companies are referring to their home-based agents as remote workers/hires, etc.

So the one place I found a wealth of good information that's kept up to date is on Facebook.

Don't roll your eyes. It's for more than twerking videos.

Swear.

There is a closed group that one can join by invitation only called Legitimate Work at Home Sources and Links. It has well over 3000 members as of this writing and the group has done nothing but grow and improve since I joined years ago.

The group moderators are very diligent in keeping their data up to date and keeping the group clear of any MLM, pyramid, sales etc. There is NO prospecting allowed here. Believe me I have chafed at it, since I enjoy a good affiliate proggie or some, but nope, Not here.

I have found 2 or my last 3 remote jobs through his site. We're talking hourly jobs with paid training, supervisors and the whole works.

I would happily send out the email invite for any who wish. Just leave me your address in comments.

I've started my own group called MWHAH: Moms Work Hardest at Home (Dad's Too!) inspired by the W@Hgroup. The difference will be that I will allow legit biz ops and such, as long as they are not over-hyped. I don't want my group to be nothing but marketers marketing to each other. If you want to build a list, go prospect elsewhere. I got links too.

I want my group to be a home for people who want to work from home, but diversify their income so one missed check doesn't mean crises and distress. So anyone looking to help me with that is more than welcome.

Next blog up I will be going into how I'm getting this @Home work thing done with a baby in the house.

That's a fun time. Promise.

Talk soon!

PS: If you want to know more about the job I have now just drop me an email.

Back to Blogging

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 21:43:00 +0000

Well if there was ever a long layoff, this was it. I think my last post was at least 4 years ago. I'll have to check.

Anyway, life has taken me full circle back to Texas and back to my husband who is the father of my three older kids.

And my new 8 month old.

Yeh, I got a new baby.

What was I thinking?

Duh. Of course I wasn't. Who does??

Anyway, I adore the little Savage- officially named Uryjah Leyon- and he runs the house as babies are known to do.

RahRah as we call him, is the main reason why I am getting back to blogging because I am currently full-time employed tho working from home (explain later) and I am becoming a bit.. resentful.. of the time that job takes away from me being with RahRah.

So, I have been looking for something I can do that will replace the income (plus Benefits!!) so I can keep him with me and work a sporadic when-I-wanna schedule.

When my elder kids where babies I spent too much time and money on work from home online scams trying to do exactly this. I wanted to work at home, support them and be around for them, but back then, scams were SO much the norm, it was damn near impossible.

FYI.. If you read any of my previous stuff you now I spent some time as a phone sex operator and did a lil video.

I ain't that sexy no more. We are knocking on middle age and I am NOT a cougar. Hubby digs me but of course, he would.

Eventuality I got out and got a "real job" and I've pretty much had one since with very little time betwixt.

And I have missed so much of my younger boys' lives it makes me so sad. I do not want to miss any more, and I don't want to be Absentee Mom anymore. So I started looking for Something Else.

I'm still in the starting stages but I think I might have found that Something Else in Alan Cosen's Income Jack program.

I won't get into all the details here but suffice it say this guy has been through what I have been through and he had the means and the drive to get off the WageSlave Wagon and has made it possible for others -like me!- to join him.

How much is it?
You got $20.00? No?
No worries. He'll give it to you.

Or.. I will.....

You see, IncomeJack is a program that is designed to overcome all the objections of

Why I Can't Do It.

1.Money

2 Time

(^^Those are my personal reasons up there ^^)
3 Experience
4 Access

5 Knowledge

Every single one of those reasons is addressed and dealt with. He makes it impossible for you NOT to succeed unless you decide you don't want to. Consciously or subconsciously, we all psych ourselves out on taking a chance like this. But Alan removes that risk. He negates the objections before they arise.

Wanna see?

Check out this video.

I'll upload it in the blog too, just in case.

Let me know when you're ready.

Think Before You Speak!!

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:58:00 +0000

Think before you speak...
Here are six reasons why you should think before you speak -
The last one is great!
Have you ever spoken and wished that you could
Immediately take the words back...
Or that you could crawl into a hole?
Here are the Testimonials of a few people who did....

FIRST TESTIMONY:
I walked into a hair salon with my husband and three kids in tow
And asked loudly,
'How much do you charge for a shampoo and a blow job?'
I turned around and walked back out and never went back
My husband didn't say a word...
He knew better.

SECOND TESTIMONY:
I was at the golf store comparing different kinds of golf balls.
I was unhappy with the women's type I had been using.
After browsing for several minutes,
I was approached by one of the good-looking gentlemen who works at the store.
He asked if he could help me.
Without thinking, I looked at him and said, 'I think I like playing with mens balls'

THIRD TESTIMONY:
My sister and I were at the mall and
Passed by a store that sold a
Variety of candy and nuts.
As we were looking at the display case,
The boy behind the counter asked if we needed any help.
I replied, 'No, I'm just looking at your nuts.'
My sister started to laugh hysterically
The boy grinned, and I turned beet-red and walked away.
To this day,
My sister has never let me forget.

FOURTH TESTIMONY :
While in line at the bank one afternoon,
My toddler decided to release
Some pent-up energy and ran amok.
I was finally able to grab hold of
Her after receiving looks of disgust
And annoyance from other patrons.
I told her that if she did not start behaving
'right now' she would be punished.
To my horror, she looked me in the eye and said in a voice just as threatening,
'If you don't let me go right now,
I will tell Grandma that I saw you
Kissing Daddy's pee-pee last night!'
The silence was deafening after this enlightening exchange.
Even the tellers stopped what they were doing.
I mustered up the last of my dignity and
Walked out of the bank with my daughter in tow.
The last thing I heard when the door closed behind me, were screams of laughter.

FIFTH TESTIMONY:
Have you ever asked your child a question too many times?
My three-year-old son had a lot of problems with potty training and I was on him constantly.
One day we stopped at Taco Bell for a quick lunch, in between errands
It was very busy, with a full dining room.
While enjoying my taco,
I smelled something funny,
So of course I checked
My seven-month-old daughter, she was clean.
The realized that Danny
Had not asked to go potty in a while.
I asked him if he needed to go,
And he said 'No'
I kept thinking
'Oh Lord, that child has had an accident, and I don't have any clothes with me.'
Then I said,
'Danny, are you SURE you didn't have an accident?'
'No,' he replied.
I just KNEW that he must have had an accident, because the smell was getting worse.
Soooooo, I asked one more time, 'Danny did you have an accident ? This time he jumped up, yanked down his pants,
Bent over, spread his cheeks
And yelled
'SEE MOM, IT'S JUST FARTS!!'
While 30 people nearly choked to death on their tacos laughing,
He calmly pulled up his pants and sat down.
An old couple made me feel better,
Thanking me for the best laugh they'd ever had!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST TESTIMONY:
This had most of the state of Michigan laughing for 2 days
And a very embarrassed female news anchor who will,
In the future, likely think before she speaks.
What happens when you predict snow but don't get any!
We had a female news anchor that,
The day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn't,
Turned to the weatherman and asked:
'So Bob, where's that 8 inches you promised me last night?'
Not only did HE have to leave the set,
but half the crew did too they were laughing so hard!

Now, didn't that feel good?
Pass it on to someone you know who needs a laugh
and remember
we all say things we don't really mean,

If Abbot & Costello Were ALive Today...

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:48:00 +0000

If Abbott and Costello were alive today…

Even if you’re not old enough to remember Abbott and Costello, you’re probably aware of their timeless “Who’s on First?” baseball sketch. But imagine what that same skit would be like in the 21st century?

Legendary comedy duo Abbott and Costello

If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today…it might sound something like this…

COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: Thanks I’m setting up an office in my den and I’m thinking about buying a computer.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: No, the name’s Lou.

ABBOTT: Your computer?

COSTELLO: I don’t own a computer. I want to buy one.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: I told you, my name’s Lou.

ABBOTT: What about Windows?

COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?

ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?

COSTELLO: I don’t know.. What will I see when I look at the windows?

ABBOTT: Wallpaper.

COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.

ABBOTT: Software for Windows?

COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?

ABBOTT: I just did.

COSTELLO: You just did what?

ABBOTT: Recommend something.

COSTELLO: You recommended something?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: For my office?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!

ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.

COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let’s just say I’m sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: Word in Office.

COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.

ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?

ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue ‘W’.

COSTELLO: I’m going to click your blue ‘w’ if you don’t start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: That’s right. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?

ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.

COSTELLO: What’s bundled with my computer?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?

ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.

COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?

ABBOTT: One copy.

COSTELLO: Isn’t it illegal to copy money?

ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.

COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?

ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!

(A few days later)

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?

ABBOTT: Click on ‘START’………….

For SL Builders: Using The Grid VIDEO

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:25:00 +0000

I spend most of my time building stuff in SL. Here's a video that explains the fine points of using the grid. Good stuff for aspiring builders like myself.

Linden Labs Founder Philip Rosedale

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 05:12:00 +0000

Interviewed in July 2008 about the impact of virtual worlds and the internet on Second Life.

Going..Going...

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:06:00 +0000

LOST.... 2 pounds.

If Found Point, Laugh & Tell it I said
"HAH"

So I've been stuck at 220 for abut 2 months now. On the scale last night, I fianlly broke that plateau and hit 218!! I laid off working out for about 2 weeks because of tendonitis in my left arm.
DD and me are now on the same diet, keeping track of our calories at CalorieCount . She's interested in losing some belly roll. It's not badbut she wants to be "smexy". Diva says it destroys her lines, and Diva has an artist's eye. So she's doing all these ab tighteners, including hoola-hooping and crunches. I've noticed my belly lifting and I seem tobe getting some definition to my waist *sobs* I haven't seen my "waist line" since high school!
I got up to 25 minutes on the elliptical last night and I'm going for 30 as soon as I think I can handle it...later this week, maybe?
Uh, I was a little light-headed when I jumped off the machine last night. I figure that's a sign to take my time.
Now I'm firing up some of the chix I work with, showing them easy at-your-desk belly crunches they can do to start off. Giving tips on salads -because Diva makes some KILLER salads!- and general "Girl you can do this!" type stuff.

It's a work in progress.

And the work is progressing...

~Raven

Back in The Saddle

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 03:44:00 +0000

We joined a gym back in January and I started going at least three days a week.
Since November I’ve had some pain twinges in my elbow but I didn’t pay much attention to it. I always hurt somewhere in the vicinity of shoulders, wrists, etc.
The pain got worse and stopped being occasional. I didn’t make the mistake of pushing my workout too hard. I was concentrating on abs and legs, not so much on arms. I only did a few exercises there.
Two weeks ago I hurt so badly I bought a sling and I had to stop working out. I just couldn’t do it, especially after work. My left arm was just screaming in pain and my range of motion was severely diminished.
So I went to the same doctor that did my carpal tunnel surgery two years ago. Only to find out what I thought was the return of carpal was tendonitis, most likely work related.
He asked when I wanted to file worker’s comp. I told him I didn’t. He put me in a two part brace –wrist and elbow-and gave me a script for naproxen.
At work that same day I realized that brace was slowing me down something fierce. I emailed my immediate superiors to explain why it was taking me song to take the next call. That was Friday
Monday I got dragged down to HR to discuss worker’s comp.
I told them the same thing: I don’t want it. I’m going for a promotion & I can’t afford to go down to 60% of my income. Honey figured it would be about 1k a month.
Our house payment is 950.00. Yeah. NOT.
So I come in Tuesday and I get nabbed back to HR and sent to their doctor who tells me I need an orthopedic guy because I do indeed have something cracked going on with my arm.
Protests that I’d already been to an ortho guy got, “But not ours.”
OK, fine.
I lost 2 weeks of work out time to this little fiasco. I was terrified I’d regained the 6 pounds I’ve worked all this time to lose.
Thankfully, according to the scale at the gym I’m holding steady at 220.
I limited the work out to crunches on the ball and 15 minutes on the elliptical.
All in all, it wasn’t bad. I got home and felt terrible, but not from the work out.
It was along day at work. And it’s probably going to continue.
I decided I can’t let this injury stop me from working out. HR and WC Doc don’t want me overdoing the arm, so I don’t. I’m very happy I know how to type one-handed but I’m better with the left, darn it.
Anyway, getting back into my work-out groove seems to be going more smoothly than I thought it would.
I’m hoping the elbow issue will be cleared up soon so I can get back to the full swing of things.

Absolute Cute

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:36:00 +0000

This video is of a mother cat who adopts a teeny baby rabbit. TY Tweep @zaibatsu for the link.

Yes I know this has very little to do with Dark Matter, but you gotta admit, this Mama Kitty is living way outa her box.

Newspaper Humor

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 23:47:00 +0000

OK. I love spell checker. It's very helpful. But I don't trust it. No, I go over my writing with my own eyes with Anal Editor Syndrome in high gear. I've taken down entire blog posts to correct one misspelled word. So, these clippings getting past the writer, copy, the editors AND the print proofer is just creeping me the hell out.
Now, some of these are not something you can catch with Anal Editor Syndrome. Some of them are just plain freakin funny.

And I am eternally grateful that they all made it to print.

Enjoy :)

Up & Down & Down.....& Up -Dammit

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:57:00 +0000

I've been fighting the same 3 pounds for a month. Went to workout 2 Tuesdays back and made the mistake of checking my weight *before* I worked out. 225. I was so discouraged I didn't even hit the elliptical, my favorite machine.
So I went three days in a row that Sat/Sun/Mon and didn't weigh myself at all. I went last night and stepped on the scale before working out with the firm resolve to finish my full round no matter what it said.
I mean, I managed to get up to 8.5 minutes on the elliptical Monday night. I made it to 10 minutes solid last Tuesdays soo....
220!!!

WOOHOO!!!!

I still wonder if somebody is tweaking the scale, but I still don't care. Valentine's is a bad time to be looking to lose but I think I can get through it.

Still working on the Absent-Minded Eating thing. I eat a lot less when I'm working on computers but I smoke way more then, and I'm working on quitting. So, it's a trade off.
One breath at a time, or I'll choke on something....

~Raven

Dark Matter Moment

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 04:16:00 +0000

Remember how Carlos Mencia got down on Kanye West's Gold Digger? Well, I couldn't find that clip (thanks for nothing, Viacom) but I did find this, and it had me crying at work.
Enjoy...

DarkMatter Visits Planet Earth

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 22:50:00 +0000

The Dark Side of Planet Earth from mrcorbtt on Vimeo.

Oh My Achin Abs..

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:19:00 +0000

So I've made a habit (at least trying to form one) of going to work out every other day. One of my motivators is this: My last weigh in I was 220. Two nights ago when I weighed myself I was 223.

CRAP!!!

Yes, I know some up n down is to be expected.
Yes, I know it's only 3 pounds.
Yes, I know I just started so my results can be erratic for a while but..

GODDAMMIT...

OK. Now that I've got that off my chest...(for now...I get re-pissed every time I think about it)

I'm snacking on honey nut cheerios (the off-brand because 7 bux for that bee is ridiculous...he ain't that cute) in plain vanilla yogurt instead of M & Ms & Hershey's Kisses.
Yes, I know, I shoulda' known bettah but... it's chocolate dammit! It's not like I ate em by the pound.

So... I'll keep sweating and puffing until I can keep up with the Tribelets. Then I'll go for putting them to shame MWAHAHHAA....

~Raven

Feelin the Burn

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 08:35:00 +0000

I'm 1/3 of a Polyamorous Triad. I am bisexual, and brilliantly happy with my female mate Diva and our male mate Gryffin. Between us we have 5 children aged 16 to 3, 6 cats, 2 dogs, and a three- legged hamster. That's a story in itself. We'll get into some of it later.

The point of this post is opening the door into my personal Dark Matter and to start journaling my attempt at toning up what used to be a decent body.
By decent I don't mean rail thin. I mean no flabby, no floppy. I'd be pleased as punch if I could shave my snatch without having to lift my belly out of the way.

So we joined a fitness club. It's small, a little country , a little ghetto. It's a justifiable expense for the three of us and I can drag one or both of the Elder Tribelets along for (de)moral(izing) support.

So I went the first week on a Wed and took the Elder Geek and the Tweety. They both put me to shame. Last week I didn't go. I had no shoes until Wednesday or Thursday morning and we had a lot going on.
So whilst plucking my eyebrows, Diva suggested what I had considered doing anyway: stop in on tjhe way home from work. I already had the bag packed.
So last night (this morning? yesterday morning? *shrug*), I left work and went for gas, and headed my so-wide ass over to work out. I got there about 3am.

The beauty of this: I was completely alone. It was so awesome. I got dressed and went out and put my new sneakers on (11 bux, men's size 6 yeah baby). I stretched -which I hadn't done during daylight hours w/the Tribelets. I jumped on the elliptical for 5 minutes. Jumped on the bike for 5 minutes. Did 3o reps on an arm-pumping machine and finished up with 30 or 45 ( I lost count twice) crunches on the bouncy ball.
Now I was at the doctor 2 weeks ago and they weighed me in at 226 -OMG I felt horrid. Never been this big ever.
So I stepped on the one scale I could find en route to the locker to grab my bag: 220.

What? WHAT???

WOOHOO!!!!

What did I do? I stopped drinking soda and Kool-Aid about 2 weeks ago. I gave up the freakin huge refill of French vanilla coffee slushy I took to work.
Can something so simple make that big a difference or do they set their scale low on purpose?
Honestly>>>>>I dont give a shit!!!!

I walked out into 45 degree weather in shorts, a tank top and my own sweat and felt fucking great.
I can't wait to get back in there.

Hopefully, I'll be joined by a mate or two and we can feel the burn together.

~Raven

My Personal Dark Matter

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 06:50:00 +0000

It's my personal point of view that my brain has morphed from gray matter to dark. When I dedicated to the Craft, I took a nice deep look at Inner ME and found a whole lotta WHOA.

What's WHOA? It's that part of us that goes full blown bitch when pushed far enough. It's that part of us that serial killers don't or can't suppress. It's that part of us that psychologist have been studying for decades and still don't really know what its about.

It's our Darkness. That thing inside us that can very cheerfully consider choking a stupid prick to death if only we could get rid of the body. And then our Humanity, our Social Norm Meter, our That's Not Right-Jiminy Cricket kicks in, and the prick lives to annoy another day.

My Cricket went on hiatus once and I jumped my ex at his aunt's bar. I caught him dirty dancing with someone NOT ME. And I went off. I wanted to kill him. I was pretty sure I would have run him over if my car had started. For the rest of our marriage I would often watch him sleep with a knife in hand. Wondering IF I could really get away with it. The question of "Can I do it?" didn't come up. I just didn't want to do it in front of our kids.

So I took a look at my Darkness. It scared me at first, but then I accepted it. Acceptance is key, of course. There's far too many people walking around who do not know themselves, can't look at that Darkness, won't look at it, and don't even want to acknowledge they have it.

*I could NEVER {insert unacceptable behavior here}*

I used to think that. Now I'm pretty sure if the circumstance were right I could do whatever I had to do...if circumstances were right.

If you're still reading congrats. You're not a Squeamish Millennial Lemming. Have a drink on me.

Grab the next entry. It's not nearly so dark...dark

~Raven

Box? What Box?

noreply@blogger.com (MizG) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:59:00 +0000

The fun part of most of this is this:

Nobody expects it.

This what? Expects what?

See? Fun times, no?

Ok, ok. I'll stop teasing.

As you may have gathered by the title, I don't believe in living by other people's ideas of what *should* be.
By other people I mean society in general. Almost everyday of my life I encounter an example of Kay's words of wisdom in Men in Black: A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals ...

Proof: The outrage on the front lawn of George & Cindy Anthony over the months as Central Florida agonized over their missing granddaughter Kaylee & her mother Casey's possible complicity in her disappearance.

Proof: In 1993 the Dallas Cowboys went to and won the Super Bowl for the first time in over a decade. How do their fans thank them? Rioting in the streets.

People can disrupt a family's day to day or lift another family out of disaster and despair. We humans are an odd animal. Once again I turn to the movies to make my point. In this case,
Agent Smith from The Matrix: Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed and the only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet.

Humans destroy in the name of survival. We used to live in peace and in tune with our world and others. Now we subdue. Mangle and meddle. Reshape and remake.
And in the middle of all that, we've created a mindset that makes people like me reject out of hand almost every conventional thought process known to my particular corner of creation.

Another funny thing about humans: we rebel.
Here we stand on the eve of the single most significant Presidential Inauguration in this country's history. I have yet to write anything longer than a microblog about the man and his box-shattering achievement. Why?

Because every body else is doing it.
Until that flood slows to a trickle, how in the hell is my one voice going to be heard?

So I live outside the Box. The Box is constructed of "accepted norms": religion, sexual orientation, relationship structure, parenting, medical procedures. I don't think there's anything in my life that could fit into the *accepted norm* box. If I find anything, I'll probably burn it in my cauldron.
This is just a running stream of consciousness because I'm sick of looking at this empty blog. We'll get into details later.

~Raven