All I want is someone to help me

I recently bought a new car. As I was looking at different models, brands, asking questions and taking test drives, I noticed one major theme among the automobiles: they all have satellite radio.

SiriusXM now comes as a standard three month trial. No matter what car you're getting, there's a button for that celestially magic station that gives you news and music from all around the world. Of course, you pay the price - not only the cost of the car, but then it ends after 90 days and you have to pony up a minimum of $10 a month (or $120 a year) to get "mostly music" (about 80 channels). If you want everything - be that greedy guy in the $35k BMW, you get the $19 a month (or $200 a year) all inclusive plan. It saves you $29 a year versus the monthly plan and you get the whole kit and caboodle - to the point you can stream online. You also get over 175 channels. Who needs that?! I'm lucky if I can listen to 10 minutes of normal radio in my car.

Excuse me while I retake the test

...and go back to a four year college, study hard, and raise my GPA.

I'm always looking for new work. Especially after a mishap yesterday, leaving my hand looking like I got attacked by an angry clawed animal. It's not as bad as you think. It's just five shallow cuts on my fingers. Could have been worse; I could have cut my fingers right off.

But I didn't, and I'm still looking for a way out.

This morning, I get the recruitment emails - job links for sales execs, production managers, administrative assistants. One desk job caught my eye and I went to see what was needed. Yeah, let me apply when I become smarter. This particular company is looking for someone to not only be their office manager, they want someone who's toeing the Mensa line.

Job Requirement:
* MUST have a Bachelor degree (with minimum College GPA of 3.5 (or higher)
* MUST have at least a 600 out of 800 on SAT's

Seriously? This is a desk jockey position. Sure, you're on the front line; meeting and greeting people, ordering supplies, but it's not rocket science. Especially if "Finance experience is not required" and "Candidates from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply". Forget about racial discrimination (requiring one to be bilingual to apply / work for the company), this place of business is creating a profile for educational discrimination.

Playing devil's advocate, let's say a person in their 60's wants to apply. They may have gone to and finished college forty years ago, received a bachelor degree in something, but walked away with a GPA of 2.9. Not a complete dummy, but not as bright as this job wants them. What if they don't have a record or remember what they got on their standardized test? They can't apply? Surely forty years of experience can trump a poor SAT score...

Seems like we're becoming a culture where certain "must haves" are becoming the norm and any type of experience or knowledge is taking a back seat.

Sickness enthralled

It seems like it's that time of year - everyone's sick. No matter where you live, it's winter. Out come the germies. With most of the United States under severe cold (even Florida is suffering), the germ warfare is out to get us.

I'm ready though: I've been feeling a little icky lately, so I've stocked up. Between the Emergen-C packets (although I must admit, the Acai Berry is pretty tasty), a bag of Ricola, Zephyrhills water for the Emergen-C and a box of Cold-Eeze... I'm ready to make the cough and cold go away!

Plenty of tea helps too... my favorites: Celestial Seasonings Herb Tea, Bengal Spice, Celestial Seasonings African Tea, Madagascar Vanilla Red (see here for a neat recipe), Twinings Earl Grey Tea (the K Cup version has a bit of a lemon after taste... which is nice) and Twinings English Breakfast Tea (classic).

I'm sure a little sun won't hurt, but when it's 53 degrees out and the wind making it feel 45, you just don't want to do anything. I feel bad for my friends up north, where it's minus something, and they've got feet of snow out side. I guess the view I've got isn't half bad?

Take care, be well, and get warm!

Cheers;