Thursday, September 27, 2007
8 signs it's time to change jobs

It's best to move on before you get fired, lose your sanity, or both. Fortune's Anne Fisher offers eight ways to tell if your job is in jeopardy.

1. You don't fit in. Your values don't match the company's. If your colleagues are "dishonest and focused on getting ahead regardless of legal or moral barriers," Bayer says, it's time to quit before an Enron-style scandal sinks the ship.

2. Your boss doesn't like you and you don't like him or her. If your boss never asks your opinion, and never wants to chat or have lunch with you, and if you disagree with her agenda and dislike her style, your days are numbered. Adds Bayer: "If you've ever done something that undermined your boss, you might as well get out now."

3. Your peers don't like you. Feeling isolated, gossiped about, and excluded from the inner workings of the organization is a very bad sign, as is feeling that you're not part of the team and wouldn't socialize with your colleagues even if they asked you.

4. You don't get assignments that demonstrate the full range of your abilities. "Watching all the good assignments go to others, while you're given the ones that play to your weaknesses or are beneath your professional level, should tell you something," says Bayer. Likewise, if it seems the boss doesn't trust your judgment, you're in trouble.

5. You always get called upon to do the "grunt work." Everybody has to take on a dull or routine task now and then, but if you are constantly being singled out to do the work no one else wants, alarm bells should ring.

6. You are excluded from meetings your peers are invited to. Sound familiar? If it's painfully clear that your ideas aren't valued, why stick around?

7. Everyone on your level has an office. You have a cubicle in the hallway. Bayer notes that, whatever your title, your digs can speak volumes about your real status in the organization. If your peers have offices with windows and you're asked to move into a broom closet - no matter what the official explanation - start cleaning out your desk.

8. You dread going to work and feel like you're developing an ulcer. Ah, here's yet another of your symptoms, and a particularly nasty one at that.

"If the idea of going to the office makes you anxious or physically sick, and you're counting the hours from the time you arrive until the second you can leave, it's time to move on," says Bayer. Do it before you do serious damage to your health, or get so demoralized that you can't be upbeat in job interviews, or both. Once things have deteriorated to this point, being perceived as a job hopper should be the least of your worries. Get out while you still can.

 
posted by Onedec at 9:44 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
MySpace set to go mobile
The social networking Web site MySpace is launching a free, advertising-supported cell phone version Monday as part of a wider bid by parent News Corp. to attract advertising for mobile Web sites.

Fox Interactive Media, which oversees News Corp.'s (Charts, Fortune 500) Internet properties, said it also plans to roll out versions of FoxSports.com, the gaming site IGN, AskMen and its local TV affiliates in the coming months that will work on cell phones that can access the Internet.

The company said it also plans to offer a mobile version of its Photobucket picture sharing site in coming months.

Where MySpace and Facebook are headed

The company already offers premium, subscription-based versions of MySpace through AT&T Inc. (Charts, Fortune 500) and Helio wireless services. Those versions include special features integrated into specific handsets, such as uploading cell phone photos directly to a user's profile page.

The new version set to launch Monday will work on all U.S. carriers and will allow users to send and receive messages and friend requests, comment on pictures, post bulletins, update blogs, and find and search for friends.

The company said advertisers have become more interested as the quality of the mobile Web experience has improved.

"Accessing the Internet from your mobile phone will soon be as common as text messaging and voice calling," said John Smelzer, senior vice president of mobile at Fox Interactive.

Initially, advertising will take the form of sponsorships and banner ads that can be clicked on.

Eventually, Fox Interactive will seek to sell more targeted advertising, using registration data from cell phone carriers. The company also hopes to send local ads based on a user's location using GPS data sent by the phones.

"Over time, the most targeted ads will be on mobile," Smelzer said.

MySpace recently announced plans to sell targeted ads using personal information culled from each user's profile and blogs.

The new mobile sites will be tailored to the small screen on most handsets, Smelzer said.

FoxSports, for instance, will allow users to check scores and perform other core tasks, but will not have the video and photo offerings of the subscription version.

Smart phones with larger screens can already access full versions of Fox's Web sites.
 
posted by Onedec at 9:40 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Kids who slept through fire alarm tone awoke to mom's voice

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Children in deep sleep awoke to recordings of their mothers' voices -- calling them by name and ordering them out of their bedrooms -- even if they slept through the beeping sound a smoke alarm makes, according to a small study.

The study reaffirms previous research that shows what works for adults doesn't always work for children, said Dr. Gary Smith, one of the co-authors.

"Clearly, the strategy that has been tried and true and used for years ... fails miserably for children," said Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Columbus Children's Hospital.

The study of 24 children ages 6 to 12 found that 23 awoke to the recorded voice of their mother saying "(Child's first name)! (Child's first name)! Wake up! Get out of bed! Leave the room!" Fourteen of the children also awoke to the traditional tone alarm. One child didn't wake up to either.

The children who woke up to the voice did so at a median time of 20 seconds, compared with three minutes for those who woke up to the tone, according to the study by Columbus Children's Hospital researchers being released Monday in Pediatrics.

Both alarms were created using a large speaker and sounds measuring 100 decibels, about four times louder than levels used in standard home alarms, Smith said.

The next step, he said, is to determine why children responded to the voice alarm differently, whether they were responding to their names, their mothers' voices or the frequency at which the sound was delivered, which was lower than the frequency of a beeping alarm.

Nancy Baron of Columbus said her daughter Maddie, who was 8 at the time of the study, awoke to the voice alarm in 15 to 20 seconds but slept through the tone alarm, while neither alarm woke her son Rhys, who was 7.

"I was totally shocked," Baron said. "It was actually a little frightening to think what would happen if this was real."

Funding for the study came from a grant from the Ohio Department of Public Safety's Division of Emergency Medical Services and the Ohio Emergency Medical Services Board.

A safety expert said the study was a start.

"We have a piece of the puzzle now and we're really happy someone has taken up this research and we hope it moves forward," said John Drengenberg, manager of consumer affairs for Underwriters Laboratories Inc., an independent organization that certifies safety for consumer products.

The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that 3,300 fatal fires killed 3,380 people (not including firefighters) in 2005, with 14 percent of victims younger than 10. Smoke alarms were not present in 42 percent of residential fatal fires; alarms did not operate in 21 percent.

Drengenberg said statistics show that no children have died because they didn't wake up to a smoke alarm.

"What we do know is parents instinctively ... will go to a child's room and grab a child out of the crib or out of the bed," he said.

 
posted by Onedec at 9:27 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Monday, September 24, 2007
Union calls strike against GM
Members of the United Auto Workers declared a strike against General Motors Corp. effective 10 a.m. Monday after failing to agree on a new contract.

Among the facilities affected by the strike are GM's Fairfax Assembly plant, which has approximately 2,700 employees. The plant, which ranks No. 13 on the Kansas City Business Journal's most recent listing of private-sector employers, produces the Chevy Malibu and Saturn Aura.

The strike comes after the union and automaker were unable to come to an agreement on a new contract. In negotiations that began in late July, the company has sought concessions from the union in order to make it more competitive.

In a release announcing the strike deadline, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said he was "shocked and disappointed" that GM hasn't appreciated the contribution of union members during the past four years. He said the union has worked to find reasonable solutions when faced with a corporate restructuring, an attrition plan, the bankruptcy of the Delphi unit and a 2005 health care agreement.

In its release, the UAW pointed out that it agreed to remain at the bargaining table nine days past the expiration of the previous contract.

In a short statement on its Web site, General Motors said it was disappointed in the strike call. The company said it remains fully committed to working with the UAW to address competitive challenges facing the company.

 
posted by Onedec at 4:11 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Get Away from Pizza

Pizza used to be very good, nutritious, filling and healthy. Not true today. One of the worst and unhealthy food to eat now-a-days is commercial pizza. You know why? Over time that has changed and especially here in America where every corner of any major cities are filled with pizza chains. These chains put most of these pizza shops out of business. Fresh ingredients were replaced with preservatives, cheap and fatty ingredients that could be mass-produced, frozen and shipped across the country.

What a pity that most Americans have never eaten pizza and confuse it for the junk food advertised on television. In Italy there are laws defining pizza, which set allowances on the type of flour, tomato, mozzarella, olive oil, basil and oregano. Pizza is inherently nutritious and filling. Street corner pizza shops in Philadelphia , New York and other large cities kept close to the original idea of simple, fresh ingredients. Then came the pizza chains, which put most local shops out of business. Fresh ingredients were replaced with preservative-laden, cheap and fatty ingredients that could be mass-produced, frozen and shipped across the country. Commercial pizza is now a high-calorie, high-fat, high-sodium, low-nutrient food.

 
posted by Onedec at 12:27 AM | Permalink | 0 comments
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
A Dilemma To Better Opportunity

I had just relocated to a new State as requested by my company. I agreed to move with company expense but a couple of months later I had just been offered a job opportunity by a different company. I was surprised when the company called me out of the blue and asked me to be part to one of their newly awarded programs from a big OEM. When I asked them for the money I wanted for the job they had no hesitation of giving it to me they even made it higher. The new job has been a long awaited opportunity to me. Concerned that my current employer is going to have some problems with this I talked to my boss and his manager about the opportunity. I had some charges to pay due to my recent relocation paid by my current employer. I didn't want to pay but they said I can't get away with these charges since I agreed to be move with their request and I signed a relocation agreement to stay 1year. They are charging me nearly 20,000 US dollars for the relocation, nearly break even to the salary increase the new employer is giving me for the new job. Not to mention that I had been working for a great boss for nearly 12years and he has been very nice to me and the opportunities for professional and personal development has been great over the years. Bottom line I decided to pay the charges and went off to my new job. Sometimes you just got to take the risk.
 
posted by Onedec at 5:32 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Dont pull US troops out of Iraq

Americans and even US soldiers want to pull the US troops out of Iraq as soon as possible. I say it is a really bad idea. What good is there to pull the US troops out of Iraq? I hear most people say that okay US didn't find any weapons of mass destruction, US brought down Saddam's regime and helped them built a new democratic system of government, so pull them out now because the job is done. But that is not enough. Most people would think that everything should be as normal as possible now. Rebellion in Iraq has doubled and growing. US troops policing the outskirts of every major cities is not even enough how much more by just letting the Iraqi troops take care of it.

Al Qaeda, Hamas and Islamic Jihad are heading the Islam rebellion in Iraq and all over the world and the last time I checked it is still heroism, martyrdom and most of all holy to kill somebody through suicide bombing.

Until such rebellion which is affecting the world is fixed or at least controlled I think asking the US troops to police Iraq is an understatement.
 
posted by Onedec at 1:17 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Remembering 9/11

I remember when this terrible incident happened. I was in Tokyo, Japan when all of the world stopped and watched how America is being attacked in her own land.

I was on my way home from a 16-hour work that day, I stopped by a 7/11 convenient store to grab a bite of dinner when I noticed people mostly students were gathering around the TV inside the store. I was curious what was going on, so I rushed home to watch it in english, in less than 5minutes I was in my living room flipping the channels for CNN. I couldn't believe my eyes what I was looking at was really happening but sadly it was. I immediately paused and prayed for everyone's safety, I was asking for a miracle to happen.

Now looking back I am glad I did what I did. In someway though far I did something to help my brothers and sisters that died on September 11. I prayed.
 
posted by Onedec at 11:36 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Joseph "Erap" Estrada Guilty

The Sandiganbayan has now released their decision and Joseph "Erap" Estrada the former Philippine President has been found guilty of Plunder beyond reasonable doubt and has been acquitted of Perjury. He has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

At the same time, the anti-graft court ordered the freezing of Estrada’s accounts estimated at $87 million. The funds, including protection money from illegal gambling operators, embezzled tobacco taxes, and commissions from insider trading, will be "forfeited," the anti-graft court ruled.


But Estrada son, Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, and lawyer Eduardo Serapio, were acquitted by the anti-graft court in its ruling issued Wednesday that capped a six-year trial for the former leader who was ousted in a popular revolt in 2001.


The court said it would allow Estrada to stay at his resthouse in Tanay, Rizal “until further orders.”
 
posted by Onedec at 9:43 AM | Permalink | 0 comments
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Waving Goodbye to Luciano Pavarotti

I was saddened and shocked when I heard over the radio that Pavarotti the icon of opera singing and one of my favorite singers died. To me he was as big as Elvis and as popular as the Beatles of the Opera world. The world has lost another great talent. Luciano Pavarotti (October 12, 1935 – September 6, 2007) died of cancer.


He was a celebrated Italian tenor and one of the most popular vocal performers in the world of opera and across multiple musical genres. Known for his televised concerts, media appearances, and as one of The Three Tenors, Pavarotti was also noted for his award-winning charity work, raising money on behalf of refugees, the Red Cross and other worthy causes.
Pavarotti began his career as a tenor uneventfully.


He sang opera in obscurity throughout Europe, but broke out after a performance with soprano Joan Sutherland, who invited the young tenor to join her in touring internationally. By the 1970s, Pavarotti had become known worldwide, famed for the brilliance and beauty of his tone especially into the upper register.[1] His "high C" would be one of his trademarks.


Pavarotti was launched into popular culture after a performance of Nessun Dorma for the opening ceremony of the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. The first of the famed The Three Tenors concerts was held on the eve of the final match of the tournament in which Pavarotti performed together with fellow star tenors Plácido Domingo and José Carreras. Through these performances, Pavarotti brought hits previously confined to the opera world to a much wider audience; Pavarotti further spread his influence with appearances in advertisements and concerts with pop stars. Unlike many crossover artists, Pavarotti always maintained his identity as an opera star.
 
posted by Onedec at 6:14 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Monday, September 3, 2007
How to do an Abdominal Crunch


Tired of that spare tire around your waist? Are even your "love handles" too big to hold on to? Trim down by eating well, exercising regularly and working your abdominal muscles - starting with a crunch.

Step One
Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor in front of you. Lie on an exercise mat rather than a hard floor to prevent back strain.

Step Two

Position your feet as wide as your hips.

Step Three
Place your hands behind your head so that your thumbs are tucked behind your ears.

Step Four

Hold your elbows slightly out to the sides and keep your chin pointing upward.

Step Five
Curl up and forward so that your head, neck and shoulder blades lift off the floor. Make sure you're not pulling your head forward with your hands. If your chin is making contact with your chest, the abdominal muscles aren't being used in the exercise.

Step Six

Pause for a moment. Lift your head up enough so that your middle and lower back stay on the floor. Squeeze your abdominals as you pause.

Step Seven
Slowly lower your head, neck and shoulder blades to starting position.

Step Eight
Keep your knees bent, your feet in the same position and your back straight throughout the entire exercise.
 
posted by Onedec at 6:39 PM | Permalink | 1 comments
Ridiculous Rule: Wearing white only between Memorial Day to Labor Day
I was listening to the radio and I was just entertained about how many people were calling in the radio asking listeners not to wear white outside Memorial Day and Labor day. I dont understand why this rule is being discussed in the first place. It was just ridiculous. I'd rather changed the station I was listening to but I was just having fun while I was driving.
 
posted by Onedec at 6:11 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Sunday, September 2, 2007
How to $ave your Gas Money

With gas prices soaring, drivers everywhere are feeling the pinch at the pump. Let's face it -- your gas dollars aren't going nearly as far as they used to. However, there are a number of things you can do to help improve your car's fuel efficiency.
Consider these six tips from the car care experts at 3M to maximize your car's performance:

-- Check your tire pressure. Improperly inflated tires can greatly reduce your fuel economy, so make sure your tires are inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure level. The right tire pressure will provide you with a safer ride and help reduce wear on the tires.
-- Maintain your vehicle. Replacing a dirty, clogged air filter will go a long way in improving your car's fuel efficiency. According to the federal government, your car's gas mileage could improve by as much as 10 percent with a clean air filter. In addition to the fuel savings, the new filter will help protect your engine as well.
-- Clean your fuel system. Carbon and resin-buildup in your car's fuel system stifles your engine's ability to breathe and reduces fuel efficiency. Flush out your fuel system, including the fuel injector, intake valve and combustion chamber with a specialized tank additive, such as 3M(TM) Fuel System Cleaner. Better yet, have your fuel system professionally cleaned by shops that use the complete 3M Fuel Injector Cleaning System. By keeping your fuel system clean, you'll improve your vehicle's fuel economy.
-- Take it easy and slow down. Driving your car at high speed, "jack-rabbit starts" and aggressive driving in traffic can greatly reduce fuel efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy says "As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas." And every time you "hit the gas" you get closer to your next refill.
-- Remove excessive weight. Remove any unnecessary objects in your vehicle, especially heavy items. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce fuel efficiency by as much as two percent. Lighten up and your mileage will go up!
-- Use your air conditioning sparingly. Don't just run your air conditioner out of habit in the summer. If it's not too hot out, try using the fan setting alone. This will help you get more miles to the gallon.

These tips will not only help you improve your car's performance and save money, but will help you save time as well, because you won't be running to the gas station to fill-up quite as often as before.
(by Autochannel)
 
posted by Onedec at 8:03 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Another trip to Windy City
Here I go again, packing my bags and have another four and a half hours drive to Chicago. For almost every weekend since I was relocated to Michigan last May this year I have been going back and forth to Chicago and Michigan. It is hard not to look back at the beautiful and great Windy City of Chicago. This time I will be spending my labor day weekend in Chicago and coming back to Michigan on Wednesday. I will be going to some BBQ and Pool parties Sunday and Monday respectively and hit downtown nightclub which is hard to miss. It is quite a drive but it will definitely be fun.
 
posted by Onedec at 9:01 PM | Permalink | 0 comments