Networking

So, I went to a networking meeting on Tuesday morning. It only took me 9 months to find it (well, technically a year but I'm not counting the first three months of my stay here since I was fairly depressed). It based in San Francisco and really really good. The panel this past Tuesday was comprised of a set of recruiters. They provided great input into creating effective resumes, how to interact with recruiters, how to find them, etc. Although I've always thought I tailored my resume to a job, I really haven't enough. Their feedback was to only keep info from the last 10 years and do just titles before that. And even in the most recent ten years, to delete irrelevant bullets. ACK.

It takes place every week and I plan to go every week. Next Tuesday they will have a marathon get to know everyone else session. You get 2-3 minutes to pitch yourself. Lord, it's so hard for me to do that because I have such a diverse background and am open to too many possibilities. And I hate to pick just one. But, I must.

I also need to make 'networking cards' - ie business cards with my name and contact info / LinkedIn profile. Learning the tricks of the trade.

Not even done and reviewing

I have been slowing down on books since I don't sit and ride as much. But started this yesterday on the BART and really really good. I'm halfway done. It pulls you in from the first page and very well written. Guess I can't say much more since I'm not finished...

The Good Thief
Hannah Tinti

Crack attack

Wonder what I did this weekend?

M could not got to Yosemite with me, so I used the 'dating' site and found someone to climb with on Saturday. The guy has two kids so I figured he'd be safe. He was only there for the day, so we met up at 9:00 and went off.

He said he is a moderate climber, so we went to Jamcrack - pictured above. A classic 5.7 crack. He has led it many times so he let me lead. Of course the crux was at the bottom, but I made it through after one fall on the first piece of gear I put in (and he caught me). I haven't let a pure crack in a long time (ever?) so it was challenging!!! One thing that's especially challenging is to be sure you don't put your piece of gear where your next handhold will be. I did that several times and at least noticed it early enough to move it. Otherwise you get into big trouble.

Then he led the 5.9 pitch. Moderate climber...huh. I followed and it was very challenging - ie, I almost fell a couple times, and no way in hell will I lead it any time soon!

We then went down and set up a toprope to climb a 5.10c and 5.10d, both cracks also. I was excited to try them, as I don't think I've ever climbed something that hard (crack-wise). And I made it up both! With many falls, and swearing, but no pulling me up. It was great. Despite the fact that the rock is polished from so many people being on it over the years, including people who slip and slide on it because it's way too hard for their level, my foot stuck on many things that I didn't think it would stick on. Good lessons...

Thankfully he was also tired, so we walked to the next location with a stop at the deli and for lunch. Because we used all his gear, I had no pack so just had everything on me and carried his rack. So, I was the epitome of a rock climber. And felt like one of those people who work at Jamestown or Plymouth - dress up in period costumes and provide a glimpse into people's lives. A number of people stopped and asked questions of me... it was funny...

The next place we tried was full of mosquitoes, so that was a no go for me. And then we went to another area that he had never been to despite the fact that he's climbed there for 10-15 years and we did a few climbs.

Rock climbing is great because for the most part people are great. And he was great. So, had a good day.

The next day I was sore, but I had promised to take my friend and their two kids climbing, so that was good. I set up a toprope in a shady area and we did a few. They appreciated it and I appreciated the break!

This is about the point she got scared...but she did a great job overall...

Two new recipes

Hi there - I'm cookin'
Inspired and making some stuff up.
I haven't been so much recently because M's taste in food is so different than mine and it's been disheartening. So I'm learning to adapt somewhat.


Name: Pork You
(Amounts approximate.)

Thin sliced boneless pork chops. (3) Cut into 3/8 inch slices.
Cover with/toss with:
1 to 1.5 TB light honey
3 TB lemon juice
1/4-1/2 tsp ginger powder
1/4-1/2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary (finely chocpped to almost paste)
1/4 tsp salt
freshly ground white pepper.

Cook until browned and caramelized. (little bit of olive oil)


Chipapriggplant
(amounts approximate)

2 chicken breasts, sliced into 1 inch to 3/4 inch slices
1 TB olive oil
1 TB paprika
balsamic vinegar
white wine

1 small-ish eggplant (regular, not japanese or those little round ones) cut into 1 inch (ish) squares (take most/all of skin off)
1/4 c olive oil (less?)

Prepare eggplant ahead of time (even day before). Cook it until soft.
Throw chicken in pan (med - med high) and cook (perhaps until 3/4 done). Throw in 1 TB balsamic vinegar. Stir and let sizzle off. Do once more - letting it almost burn.
Throw in paprika and stir. Now it gets a little complicated because the paprika is more likely to really burn (but note during this I did smell it burning but it came out ok). 1 TB balsamic vinegar again and 1/4 cup white wine. Stir some, let go down to stick to pan again. A little more vinegar, and a tiny bit more wine. Until it's brown and covered with goo.
Stir in eggplant and cook one or two minutes.
(let me note here that honestly the chicken smelled a bit gross. but with the eggplant it was perfect! so do not despair)

Serve with coos coos with cooked squash if you'd like (that's what I did).

It's all about me

Now, it is all about me. I need to vent. And some may roll your eyes or even be pissed. Oh well, sorry. I need to write it to move forward.

When I lived back east I had the life. I really did. With respect to exercise. I biked to work almost every day. I had to go to the gym to shower, so I worked out a little bit almost every day. I rock climbed at least twice a week. So it was easy to stay in shape.

I've mentioned this before, but need to mention it again. It's harder here. I work at home. I do rock climb and do some exercise every day, but it's not enough for an almost 45 year old woman who has taken to really stress eating. Who lives with a guy who keeps cookies and chocolate around, and eats a lot of white bread and pasta. Who doesn't exercise, though always talks about how he should. Who likes to eat out.

My face has fat. I feel it and I hate it. I make a fish face and it doesn't look like a fish face. My stomach can no longer be sucked in all the way. I don't want to settle for what I have because everyone has it in their middle age.

Yeah yeah...Do something about it. Right now my doing something about it is to eat to make myself feel better. Or wanting to eat very very little and take caffeine to stave off appetite to get rid of it. Neither of these is the right approach. I need a regimen and have to put that together.

Sorry, had to vent.

Virus Volunteering

So, I've dealt with my first major virus on my computer. It arrived on the weekend. XP Home Security (and goes by many other names). It's a very effective virus. It makes it look like there are dangerous things going on in your computer, that you have a virus (ha) and websites are not safe and your information is being stolen. I was 'this' close to clicking and buying their 'product'. Thankfully it looked to be too much, and so I stopped and called my brother who knows much about computers. It takes over your systems and doesn't allow browsers to work or other antivirus programs to work with the excuse that it's allowing some evil things to happen. Of course, if you can't access your browser you can't access the information saying it's a virus or the fix. Thankfully M has a computer which I used to get the registry item that would allow me to access my computer. Of course, he was nervous letting me use his computer - like I'm carrying a virus on my being - but oh well...

So, catching up since then. I put a whole lot of protection programs (free) on my computer and one is just driving me nuts. It stops scripts and every friggin page has a script. I may just stop it from stopping them. Of course, then there's the slippery slope into getting another... But you know what? I think I might trade that possibility with the very real day to day annoyance...

One cool thing I did on Saturday was volunteer trail work. I am the queen of drains! (making a channel to redirect water off a trail so it doesn't erode it, and doing it such that it isn't completely obvious) I only made one in the time I was there, but I'm good at it. So much so I was called upon to consult with another person who didn't get the concept. ;-) Funny.

I met the most amazing woman. 70 years old and volunteering on this trail. A trauma psychologist who just returned from Serbia teaching people to handle trauma victims. She just sold her house and is travelling around for a while, not answering the phone because people keep calling her to consult overseas. She's going to go do a 5 day trail work project on the Pacific Crest Trail! Amazing. And she's a century bike rider. It really gives me hope that I could be active when I'm that old. So much different than my mom! And perhaps many people's moms...

OK, off to work

As time goes on

Yesterday I had a minute and thought I'd go back and see what was going on this time last year. And then I realized I started this blog in 2007! So I have four years worth of Junes! Amazing.

In those Junes I:
- Left my husband
- Struggled to create the best balance of medication
- Packed to move to California
- And this year I'm in California, looking for a job, and wondering if I'll be able to afford to continue living here.

Huge issues in such a short time. But I guess that's life, huh?

more more more

One book (I've been slacking since I'm doing a circuit training class - less time to read. Though there are excellent articles in Rolling Stone, which when I think of it, is almost like saying there are excellent articles in Playboy, though not quite).

Martha Mason - Breath. Martha spent most of her live in an iron lung. Of course an interesting story but not exceptionally written. Part of it she wrote and it's such flowery language...like she's in the 18th century. But again, interesting.

Social Network. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect and wasn't too excited about watching it. But it was really good! M didn't want to watch it so I did when he was away. I'm glad I did.

That's it. For now...

Interaction, for excitement, for emotion....

I went to a networking breakfast this morning. It's so good to get out of the 'office'! Working at home can be limiting in terms of interacting with people. Thank goodness for rock climbing - you HAVE to interact with people. I also joined a M/W/F circuit training class at my rock climbing gym to both get exercise and again interact with people. They are great actually. I likely need to and should do some temp work both to get more money and make some connections, and I don't want to give up that class!

Speaking of working out, I got a free personal training session from my other gym. I had done some training when I first moved here but he wasn't very good, so I stopped. And free is good. I sat down and talked to him, and he had organized a session going over machines. I looked at him and said I want to do free weights and told him I'm a rock climber. He put away his list and said great, I prefer free weights. And off we went. We both had a great time. He because he could challenge me, and me because I was challenged. He has experience with crossfit, and so brought that to the table. Great experience, but now I have to find money for it. Hence also the temping.

I also have a job support networking organization I need to join. It meets weekly and kind of far away, but would be good to get involved with. I need to get out there more with the job search support groups, because it gets pretty tiring to look and write letters and not get any bites. Sitting at home along does not help me get a job. Gotta get up off my beeehind. And attend lectures. Part of my problem is that I haven't organized that part of my life. Gotta make that a priority.

So, I'll just go and sit here at my desk and get work done... :-)

Where was I?

I should get a certificate for being an excellent tour guide. And my friend should get
one for bringing the nice weather. We did so much yet managed to relax and have fun. Saw Bridesmaids and laughed a bit. Went to a chocolate factory tour and bought WAY too much chocolate afterwards (TCHO chocolate). Went to Golden Gate park and refused to pay special fees for Japanese Tea Garden, etc. Went someplace one day and took the photo above. Where? Went to lunch on a canal and sat there for 2.5 hours in the sun, talking. Got our hair blown about in the special spot under the Golden Gate Bridge. It was so nice.

Now, reality! Gotta make up time for work, or not get paid. Ugh.

Here's lookin' atcha

One of my recent photos. They seem to let me get really close. Must be my hypnotizing personality. Or maybe it's the sun turning them into a slug. Or maybe I'm a stealthy as a stealth fighter.

I have a really good friend coming into town tomorrow until Friday, so I won't be writing for a bit. And M and I are going to see music tonight. And I have to work today and finish cleaning, and do some errands. I really think I should get addicted to caffeine. Maybe I'll try it.

Had a second dream in a row in which I was sobbing. The other night I had one in which I walked home to find my house on fire. I had forgotten my cell phone so I had to get someone to help me. Sobbing sobbing sobbing. If you look at the online interpretation of that, it shows the state of how you feel about your life. I think it's sad that I couldn't handle it myself - I had to depend on others to help me.

In any event, I gotta go deal with my life. I went for a short walk this morning and came across a dog that was running free. He was friendly so I called him over and got the number (thankfully avoided being licked in the face). No answer. So then I had to get him again to look at the address. Did that, and he wanted to keep going, so I get a stick. He liked that so we ran to his house - all the pedestrians giving me evil glances because he had no leash (not my dog!) - and got him in the gate. Hopefully he won't get out again.

OK, off I go. Have a great day!

12 years old

And the below is the list of things that need to be done that my niece writes. OMG NFW. (she doesn't use the second). It's eye opening.


I also took photos of my sister's kitchen when I was there. I wrote a please to HGTV asking for a kitchen remodel. My sister loves to cook and has a crappy crappy kitchen to do it in. Now the that deed has been signed and it is HERS, she can get the gift! I so so wish they would choose her. Can't it work better if you are wishing for someone else??? Sigh.

Comment on the below

Mel left a comment there, and I agree that the quote is very true some of the time. But as a caveat, I think sometimes it being forced upon you causes you to at least think about it - think about ways in which you can change. You can't change until you are ready, but you can be led.

quote

Changing because you were caught doesn't make you honest.
Changing because you were forced to confess and now live under watchful eyes doesn't make you fixed.
Change because you can't live being who you are
And change alone.


Page 188
Everything is its own reward
Paul Madonna

Beautiful drawings and stories.