I know... right?!

RIP WFNX

I am beyond sad today.  

The only radio station I have faithfully listened to for the last 20+ years will soon be no more. My beloved WFNX will be sold to ClearChannel and has already taken all but a few bare bones off the air.  It's so weird not hearing a familiar voice intro a song. I don't like it.

My mornings won't be the same without the legendary Henry Santoro giving me all the news I need to know... lunch without Julie Kramer's Leftover Lunch... don't even want to think about it... and afternoons without Adam 12. Sure, some of the line-up has changed over the years (a lot, actually) but with Henry and Julie always at the helm, it was home.

Boston radio certainly won't be the same. WFNX was the last independent, alternative radio broadcasting in the area.  My heart is heavy for many reasons.  

I must say thank you to WFNX for introducing me to such amazing music, much of which was not available on mainstream radio until it was premiered on FNX, if at all.  

Thank you for delivering everything I needed in a radio station in a package that felt like home. 

Best of luck to you all.  Hope to hear you again soon!

en français?

OUI!

So homework this week is interesting... we have to blog... in French!  Thankfully it is only on paper and really probably just consisting of an "about me" page, but it really threw me.  

I know that after 5 weeks of class, I probably know more than I give myself credit for, but not nearly enough to actually BLOG with.  I'm so glad to have a friend taking the classes with me.  It makes a huge difference being able to have someone to ask questions and bounce thoughts off of.  It's also nice to have her to tell me if I'm wrong and where/why my thinking is incorrect so I can grasp how to fix it.

We are meeting up on Tuesday night to study and go over the homework.  I'm getting the feeling that I'm going to be studying a lot before next week's class.  I'm also thinking that those reference books I picked up at  B&N are going to start coming in pretty handy the next few weeks.

Souhaitez moi bonne chance! (Wish me luck!)

Fingers Crossed

I've been very diligently searching for a new job.  I've been looking on job sites, company web sites, LinkedIn, even ebay. Yes... ebay has job listings.  Seriously... I had no idea about this until yesterday when I came across an interesting listing on CareerBuilder.com that linked to a posting on ebay.  There aren't a lot of jobs out there that are local to me (i.e. allow me not to have to drive into Boston or take public transportation to get to) and if I happen to come across one, the salary is geared to an entry level candidate rather than one with a dozen years of experience.

I did come across an interesting posting yesterday for a company with its corporate headquarters on the South Shore.  I filled out the lengthy on-line application as directed and waited for my email confirmation.  I didn't get it.  No confirmation.  What?  What if this is THE job for me?  What am I supposed to do now?  Well... it didn't take me long (more like a literal minute) to jump on LinkedIn and search for the profile of the contact listed on the posting.  Once I found them, I sent them a message about my application and interest in the position they have open.

Jump ahead to this morning... phone rings and it's the contact person!  We set up a phone interview for this afternoon, which has already happened, and I now have my fingers crossed for a 1:1 interview.  I'm still very interested in the position.  It's diverse and a bit different than the job I had with Talbots for the last decade.  It also sounds like it's something I could grow with.  The company is growing and adding new positions as it expands.  There are possibilities.  I find that very exciting. 

We left the conversation with the interviewer telling me that they are going to speak with the HR Director and hopefully set up that coveted in person interview.  I've sent my thank you email (thanks again to LinkedIn) and feel pretty confident that I will be meeting with them sometime soon.

At least I hope so.

 

It's Study Night!

My friend, Michelle, and I are taking the beginner fundamentals course at the French Cultural Center in Boston.  

We have 3 of the 10 classes under our belts and that can mean only one thing... it's time for a quiz!  Our first quiz is this Saturday, so tonight... we study.  I'm a little nervous about this quiz... I haven't taken a quiz in more years than I care to admit.  I've done all the lessons and all the homework, so I'm hopeful I can get through the quiz without too much trouble.

I'm thinking a little lunch in the city will be a much needed reward for our efforts.  Now the only question is... where?  In the last 3 weeks we've dined at The Parish Café, Tapeo and Sel de la Terre.  All soooo good.  Maybe we should continue last week's French theme and hit up Brasserie Jo?  Or maybe switch it up all together and go to Sweet Cheeks Q?  I haven't been to Brassere Jo in YEARS and I've never been to Sweet Cheeks Q... ever.  Oh the choices!!

Do you... Klout?

If you haven't heard about Klout, you should check it out.

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My first perk is 50 free business cards from MOO! I adore MOO. I used them the last time I needed business cards and was very impressed. Quality is excellent and the designs are fabulous. You can create your own design or choose from the vast selection currently available. Either way, fantastic!

So... go check out Klout and see who you influence, and maybe snag  yourself some Klout Perks while you're at it!

It's a new day / week / month!

April is here!

Starting off the first day of the new month in a good place, despite the fact that I still haven't been able to find myself a new job.  I don't have to serve Jury Duty this week... YEAH!  I sent my resume in for what I think could be a GREAT job opportunity... fingers crossed!  I get to have some FUN today with some friends... WOOHOO!

We are going to head to The Company Theatre today to see 'The Wedding Singer' and then share some laughs over dinner and drinks at a yet to be determined location.

I'm really looking forward to this.  I love when a plan comes together and the pieces fall into place seamlessly.  

 

I cannot tell you how relieved I am not to have to go to Federal Jury Duty this week. Lola has an appointment with the vet on Wednesday afternoon and I can't change it since it was the ONLY time her fabulous doctor had open this week.  (We are VERY big fans of Dr. Kimball over at Old Derby Animal Hospital... he's so great with my little scaredycat pup!)

 

And on Friday it's back to BWH for another follow-up for Boo... on her birthday. Lovely. Poor Boo.  She is definitely getting the short end of the stick in this deal.  Thinking there will have to be some fabulous lunch or dinner involved. 

I'm super-excited to start French classes on Saturday!  My fabulous friend Michelle and I are heading into the French Cultural Center in Boston to learn us some French!  I cannot wait to be in the city on Saturdays for the next few months, and I can't wait to spend some time with such an amazing friend too. Perfect time of year to be in the city and the location is central to so much.

Je suis tellement excitée! Formidable!

Good start, right?!

What a difference a week makes...

Last Friday it was 41º, overcast and breezy.  Today, it's GORGEOUS!  Yesterday (March 22nd) reached 85º... 85!!!  I'd even go so far as to say it was a bit too warm for me.  Today, it's a perfect 73º and bright and sunny.  So beautiful. 

Another change?  I've started using Wii Active.  It was time to do something... anything... for me.  So with the promise of having fun while working out, I dove in.... and it's been GREAT!  It really is fun!  Shocking, I know.  I decided to follow the 30 day challenge and haven't missed a single workout. 

I feel so much better (albeit sore) when I finish working out those muscles I didn't know I had.  The second and third days were a bit tough, but when the pain passed it was euphoric.  I'm a teeny tiny bit addicted to this new routine.  I get up, have one cup of coffee and then dive into my Wii Active.  The exercises in the 30 day challenge are varied so boredom isn't an issue.  Do I like them all?  No.  Do I do them all?  Yup... I really do.  I'm pretty proud of myself for sticking with it, even though it's only been a week... because I intend to CONTINUE well beyond the 30 days.

I even splurged and bought myself proper apparel for the task at hand. 

Yes, I know it's a cycling shirt, but I like it and it works for me.  My trainers (a/k/a sneakers) are newer, but not doing the trick.  When I get a job I'm going to go to Marathon Sports and get me a pair of these...

Yup... over my budget, which is currently ZERO, but when I get a job they will be mine!

I also stocked up on my favorite water to treat myself after working out.  I really wish a local store would have them on sale, because this stuff's not cheap... but it is delicious and free of calories, sugar and sodium which makes it well worth the price for me.

 

I didn't have to serve Federal Jury Duty this week, but still have two weeks to go.  I have to call the automated number tonight after 5pm to see if I have to serve next week.  Fingers crossed that I once again don't have to go. 

It’s a blustery 41º today, which is just about spot-on for March 16^th.  It’s kind of a slap in the face since it was 70º just a few days ago.  But I fear not… those late spring-like temperatures will be back in a matter of days and according to the ever accurate meteorologist on my local newscast, they are going to be sticking around for the upcoming week!

My only concern is that I am on-call for Federal Jury Duty for the next three weeks.  THREE WEEKS!  Seriously?  It’s not bad enough that I’m unemployed and spending my days searching for a job and sending out resumes... now I may have to spend the next three weeks sitting in a federal courthouse in Boston?  Not my idea of a good time.  Yes, serving on a jury is my duty as a citizen of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and in this case of the United States of America.  Normally I don’t mind too much spending a day or even a week exercising that duty, but being unemployed throws a wrench in the deal.  I’m thinking it will be a little difficult interviewing for a new job when I’m stuck in court, and I’m pretty sure the state of Massachusetts would prefer to have me on a payroll other than theirs.

 

Upside is the courthouse is located on Fan Pier in the Seaport District of Boston.  It’s a gorgeous building and considered “new” in terms of Boston’s courthouses.  It has a gallery, public waterfront park and an amazing view of the city. 

If I have to be stuck in a courthouse while the weather is absolutely gorgeous, I guess this one isn’t so bad!

Doesn't feel like March...

Feels like MAY!

To say that this winter has been uncharatcistic to Boston is a complete understatement.  I find myself looking at the calendar today and finding it hard to believe that it's March 12th.  It's bright and sunny with barely a cloud in the sky.  Check it out...

 

It's so beautiful!

And because it's so beautiful, I've taken my Monday job searching outside!  The dogs and I have spent several hours out on the back deck... the dogs have been going over every inch of the backyard and I've been combing through monster.com, indeed.com, jobs.com, careerbuilder.com, Mass.gov and craigslist looking for my next job.  As daunting as this search has been, I can't say I'm disappointed to be home today... but I do hope that I'm not home for that many more!

I'm putting it out there.  I know I will find the job I'm meant to be at... all in due time.

Until then, I'm counting my blessing and staying focused on the task at hand.

Oh, and enjoying each and every minute of this beautiful day!

 

slightly obsessed...

Once again, I am becoming obsessed with craft and art supplies.  My latest obsession has been growing for a couple of years now.  Just what is this obsession?... washi tape!

Yup... lots of colors and patterns to fit any need.  Found a super cute on one a UK website...

So cute!

MUST get my hands on this one.  Love orange... love scalloped... love the open dots!