Fourth of July Lunch at Lincoln Restaurant

I pay the $37.12 for Lincoln’s all-you-can-eat lunch and am not disappointed!  I’ve eaten beef brisket, hamburger, hot dog, potato salad, baked macaroni and cheese, a peach cobbler.  The food was so tasty that I only snapped photos of the brisket, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, and watermelon!

Unum

            I decided to go to Unum for a change of pace instead of Bourbon Steak (Opentable not having a 7pm Bourbon Steak reservation was a contributing factor). The restaurant turned out to be very good. I ate the burger and had the beignets with blueberry sauce for dessert. The atmosphere was welcoming and so was the bill: $5 cheaper than the Four Seasons across the street.

Adventures in Little Rock

            Now don’t get me wrong, I love Little Rock even with the 90+ degree heat and humidity.  I hate my work experience.   

Oh my goodness!  It was horrible!  I flew into Little Rock during the afternoon to avoid going to the work site; yet, I got conned into arriving there over dinner.  On top of that, I had to sit across from the center director’s husband who 1) went on tangents; 2) interrupted me and 3) had to equate everything to Brooklyn.  What an asshole!  Making matters worse was on Thursday after working 11 hours straight, I was forced to stand up and fix my own plate at a restaurant.  Freaking witch!  That’s not the worse part.  She leans next to me asking ‘Do I hear yummies?’ Don’t get slapped broad!  Though I thought everything bad was behind me, I arrived at Atlanta airport where Delta cancelled dozens of Eastern seaboard flights.  My 5:10pm plane to DC turned into a 8pm flight.  The man at the counter said that I missed my flight which was a lie because the 4:10pm flight was delayed until 6:30pm! Combining my 1:25pm Little Rock departure and 9:45pm DC arrival, I spent 8 hours in transit when I shouldn’t have! Not a good look!  Next time I visit Little Rock, I’m doing it for pleasure. I’ve missed Central High and President Clinton’s library.

Recommitting Myself to Project Management

           After returning from El Paso, I’ve recommitted myself to studying project management.  I’ve written down all 42 processes and all of the project management subsidiary plans. Not even two unscheduled meetings popping into my Outlook email can completely zap my energy.  All I’ve done is napped, regained my strength, and soldiered on because earning my PMP and PMI-ACP certifications are on my summer priority list.  Tomorrow I will rejoin PMI saving me money.  I’m ready and back in the saddle to ride again!

El Paso Chronicles

            I started my journey to El Paso by awaking at 5am EDT in Washington, DC. I left my apartment at 6:20am boarding the blue line for national airport.  I boarded United at 7:59am for Houston International.  This is the first of two flights. I arrived at 10:16am CDT laying over for an hour.  I walked to Terminal B but no one told me that B84 was in the basement! I nearly missed my flight fighting with a mobile wireless company over service that wasn’t working only in Terminal B.  Seeing the downward arrow, I unplugged my laptop running downstairs to the commuter plane awaiting me.  The plane flew at 11:28am CDT arriving in El Paso at 12:25 MDT, 2 hours behind Eastern. Peaking out the window, I saw a truck shoveling dust on the road, a sight I never seen in my entire life.  It hit me that this was the desert! There were more surprises to come.  Once I touched down, I saw an army of border patrolmen.  I concluded it was Texas and the state was near the border. Then I saw the mountains and Mexico from across the highway.  I realized that the city was literally on the US-Mexico border.  The whole 7-hour adventure made me thankful that I grew up in Cleveland, a top 40 airport because I could get a direct flight anywhere!

Overall I had a pretty good 3 days here in El Paso.  The atmosphere photos came from right outside my hotel.  I snapped photos of Mexico. You can see the marked prosperity difference between the two countries. When the team returned from Cattleman’s steakhouse at night, the differences were illuminated.  The Mexican side was the dark; whereas, the American was alit in electricity.  Only the green stoplights at the border crossing lit up the Mexican sky.  Speaking of Cattleman’s steakhouse, it housed a zoo replete with a baby buffalo calf. Here are the other photos:

On the Eve of My First Business Trip

            I am happy about preparing for this El Paso trip.  It’s my first professional one.  I’ve only be here for 6 weeks and out of the blue, the director asks me to join him, the Deputy Director and another employee.  The request is so fast that even with the GSA travel training and credit screening, I have to pay for my own room because it comes less than 10 days needed to process my stuff.  I will be reimbursed as soon as I touch down in DC. The only bad thing is that it’ll be 99 degrees everyday in El Paso versus 75 degrees in DC. 

This is my chance to prove my mettle by showcasing my statistical prowess.  While reviewing my total quality applications lessons, all of the advanced statistics knowledge starts returning.  I mean every tidbit: t-distribution, F-distribution, z-score, null hypothesis.  Everything which is the reason why I call all of the local bookstores seeing if they carry Statistics Essentials for Dummies.  None of them do forcing me to use Google Play.  I will still order the physical copy that I can hold, highlight and write notes in via Amazon that’ll await me upon my return. It lets me flesh out everything that I’ve read during the trip. 

Honored

            A colleague of mine emails me his stepdaughter’s CV today.  She’s a political science PhD.  Though I have a Master’s degree, the fact that he has thought of me, is an honor!  This being a presidential election year, she should have no problem snagging a job!  It also makes me consider returning to school for my doctoral degree. I refuse to let one bad experience hinder me from receiving mine!

Bourbon Steak Saves the Day!

I truly need this Friday off because this week has been a wreck!  There’s a bad salon experience, monsoon weather and work snafus galore.  This morning all of these things have been rectified.  I’ve dropped off five white dresses for dry cleaning, gotten my hair re-pressed and celebrated these two events at Bourbon Steak.  During the last week of National Burger Month the restaurant is highlighting the Forager burger containing an egg, relish, dried aged beef and onions.  I remove the egg because it causes the burger to slide.  The burger is immense mandating that I use utensils to cut it in half.  The medium well-done burger’s juices ooze out of the patty.  I savor every morsel even using my fork and knife to scrap the sweet relish from the plate.  I finish my meal with a West Indian Limeade.  This lunch has given my day new life reinvigorating me.  If I weren’t so full, I’d have seconds!

Now that PMP Exam Class is Over

I have skipped that last (make-up) PMP exam prep course because I am not feeling it and have another exemplary Project Management Professional (PMP) book helping me a lot. Last Saturday, I bought PMP Practice Makes Perfect and it exposes my knowledge gaps. The book highlights concepts that I haven’t thought about but must now. Friday I will answer Practice test A. Every day I will do a new test. There are four practice tests. I will decide by Memorial Day whether or not I am ready to take the PMP exam. In addition, I complete reading my Rita Mulachy study guide chapters 4-6 and 9. Clearing this study guide enables me to focus on the second one and taking the five other practice PMP exams. I will complete all of the practice exams before taking the PMP exam because I must have as many looks as possible.

Writing My Ticket to the Top!

Today while perusing the Ed2Go site, I see Introduction to Screenwriting course.  Two weeks ago I asked the company if it would offer one since I took Sitcom TV Writing.  I paid the money, printed the past three assignments and thank Ed2Go.  The Writer Center isn’t offering anything decent until June.  By then I will be on the 10^th out of 12 lessons.  The upstart cable channel that I dream of writing for will start airing in June, less than one week from now.  I really need a kick in the rear.  Though I have written 12 outlines, I haven’t written an episode. Enrolling in the Introduction to Screenwriting accomplishes this.  The class instructor is the author of Writing the Pilot book that I bought off of Amazon.  I will read this in tandem with the class asking questions.  Besides taking Introduction to Screenwriting, I am taking five more courses before the Writer Center class .  First is the Artomatic’s workshop.  Second is the BlueCat Screenplay workshop.  I’m auditing this class. Third is the second Artomatic evening workshop.  Fourth is the Hill Center DC Food Writing Master Class.  As soon as I saw this I had to enroll because I am contending for the restaurant writer job.  I must upgrade my skills and prepare for the opportunity.  Finally, is third Artomatic workshop.  I am taking all of these three classes because I possess Women in Film & Video membership.  It has given me carte blanche into all of the media-related events.  Come the Writer Center class, I will be ready.

            Writer Center will offer How to Produce a Play.  I email the organization about applying my outstanding credit. I need to know how to stage a TV show and evaluate the fluidity of my episodes.  By the class, I will have written three episodes.  The organization says that I owe only $52.10 due to my credit which is a bargain.  Also I will check out Capital Fringe Festival to see how plays are done.  I might be able to write one myself.  The biggest thing that I will do is network because I might have to start writing plays to get noticed, but, I’m ready to put forth the effort.  I will keep you informed regarding my progress and if the network calls.

Passport DC

            Passport DC is the annual open house for all embassies.  Though I come out late for the festivities, I still manage to get my Cultural DC pamphlet stamp with four countries’ passports.  Even though I live right across the circle from the Australian embassy, that round-the-corner line deters me annually.  I opt for Mozambique Embassy off of New Hampshire avenue.  Later I cross DuPont Circle continuing down Massachusetts Avenue to the Bahamas Embassy where I take a photo of a man in carnival costume. Walking up Florida Avenue to Connecticut Avenue, I cut back to New Hampshire for Rwanda Embassy scoring a pamphlet.  I return back to Massachusetts Avenue. Seeing that the Trinidad and Tobago Embassy’s line has dwindled, I enter the building. After getting the stamp, I take a photo of the steel band and fellow Trinidadians. Then I bypass a man in a carnival insect costume crosses 17^th street. Taking his photo, I go withdraw money to purchase Peruvian food.  Ordering pollo and causa rellena for $10, I return home satisfied that I have a ball at Passport DC!

Perfect Chemistry

Yippee!  Ed2Go has an Introduction to Chemistry course!  Even with total quality applications and managing customer service, I will enroll in this because I’ve always wanted to take chemistry.  I made the mistake of skipping it to take physics in high school because I wanted to sit my senior class instead of juniors.  I ended up failing physics miserably.  However, since then I have taken linear algebra and three calculus classes adequately preparing me for chemistry.  I will supplement the online class with Chemistry Essentials for Dummies and reviewing all of the course’s links because I will absorb everything like a sponge!  The Dummies series have a lot of chemistry books which I will pour over.  I don’t want to simply learn the basics.  I want to be able to return to UDC and take a couple of courses.  Right now I want to expand my career opportunities.  Science and technology offer a wide array of quality jobs.  Besides, with the high start-up businesses, mastering science gives me a working knowledge of their products.  I am very big on conducting due diligence and knowing that I can proficiently read the science materials will help the agency.  However, I will not stop at chemistry but continue onto physics and statistics.

I might even weave in some physics because it is closely connected to calculus and statistics.  I think that taking the online chemistry serves as the launching pad towards returning to physics because I am in science.  This entire year I’ve been thinking about jumping back into science because I’ve been away too long.  2010 was the last time that I took a math class; and, since, I am working in quality metrics so beefing up my math and science are necessary.  Thus far, I’ve enrolled in total quality fundamentals to relearn statistical tools.  This new analyst job is fertile ground to delve deeper into these two disciplines.  These science classes will not compete with my filmmaking and project management because science intersects with these two fields.  I know that it is nerdy to be giddy over an introductory chemistry class but hey I love learning more. 

           

Wishing Derrick Rose Well

            Though I am sadden by Derrick Rose tearing his ACL during game 1 of the NBA playoffs, I agree with a blogger that David Stern and the greedy owners creating this abbreviated schedule are at fault!  First, no one knows whether it is a partial or a whole ACL tear.  Second, many NBA players had torn ACL and rebounded.  Dirk tore his in 2009 and three years later won the championship with Dallas! Finally, Derrick will listen to his doctors, fully healing from both his ACL.  Instead of returning to the NBA in January 2013, Rose should go to the developmental league for the remainder of the 2012-2013 season.  This move lets me regain his contact play.  Chicago and the Bench Mob can get the Bulls back into the playoffs.  Derrick must care about himself and his future.  Though it is hard to take ego out of the situation, Derrick must do this for survival else meet Brandon Roy’s fate.  Roy suffered an injury, returned too soon, won a playoff game for the Portland Trailblazers but was forced to retire because of said injury.  Rose is far too smart for that.  Playing in the D-League from January to April will get him back into game shape.  It isn’t as if the Bulls or Adidas will say no.  

In It for the Long Haul

Yippee!  I have finished PMBOK chapter 4 and after watching the 76ers versus the Bulls, I will solve RMC chapter 4 then continue onto PMBOK chapter 5.  I do feel that I will be finished with chapter 5 leaving me with RMC and PMBOK chapters 7 and 8 tomorrow.

 

More yippee!  I’ve finished outlining PMBOK chapter 5.  Sunday morning I will complete RMC chapters 4 and 5.  At least I don’t have to outline them.  Later next afternoon I will outline PMBOK chapter 7.  It is shorter than 4 and 5.  I might even squeeze in RMC chapter 7.  I am happy to keep my schedule because I will have PMBOK chapters 8 and 9 read by Thursday.  That’s ¾ done with PMBOK. I know that it is realistic outlining one chapter per day allowing me to completely outline the manual 2 weeks ahead of schedule!  I will reread the PMBOK again to review anything that I’ve overlooked this time.  In addition, I will solve the 460-problem handout, RMC study guide, PMP prep study guide and other practice exams that my instructor has given me.  Even though I have the money, I don’t see myself purchasing the $299 1400-question data set when there are cheaper alternatives.  I would literally have to fail in order to consider this item!  And, I refuse to go there knowing that failure isn’t an option! 

Mentality Change

Talking to former officemate is the best thing to happen to my day because she has gotten the job and I get to process my legal situation.  Originally, I am disappointed that it’ll take more than $8000 to get a down payment; however, I realize that SBA has increased my salary substantially.  I will save this amount in one year with a whole lot remaining.  I just want to leave here before of all the crap that has happened.  Also I must pay the lawyer and a settlement (maybe!).  I am just getting my feet underneath me by starting at SBA and this black cloud still hovers over me.  Yuck!  I hate this; plus, I still need to square away money for bills and starting my business.  I will build my company one brick at a time.  The hardest thing is completing the summary, therefore, I will pay $109 to enroll in the Writers Store screenwriting punctuation course starting May 21^st.  I might also buy the Screenwriter’s Bible for cheap because it is $90 cheaper than $109.  I have done just that because 1) it is cheaper and 2) I will finish reading it way before May 21^st. Doing this I no longer feel trapped and stuck and like a victim of circumtances.  Now I'm empowered to submit my TV script to the channel I want it aired.

Finalnically, purchasing this book  has saved $90 which is nearly equal to the $99 Ed2Go total quality fundamentals course which will advance my career.  This extra $90 amount will go towards total quality applications because this will improve my job performance.  I cannot wait to receive the book and start my class because it empowers me focus my personal and professional lives.  I cannot wait until I see my officemate again because I know that I will have more progress to relay to her and more money in my pocket.

Start

Start: (verb) 1) to begin or set out, as on a journey or activity.

            Today I start my first day in my newly-promoted position.  I am happy to defend myself against telework.  My work and personal lives don’t intersect.  Moreover, I’m not spending my money to purchase office supplies and use my computer and Internet to do my employer’s job; when I can go to the work site and my employer pays for all of this? Hey, if I’m spending my own money then I’m starting my own business!  Plain and simple.  I’m glad that I possess an economist’s mentality because the opportunity cost is too high to take a self-inflicted pay cut to ‘improve my efficiency and flexibility.’ This doesn’t make any sense!

            On a much happier note, I’ve created my own personal schedule where I will take at least 5 quality management Ed2Go courses, ace my quarterly review and pass my PMP exam by August.

My final day at the old place

The only constant is change and my life is freer because I’ve accepted it.  I remembered being okay with passing the CAPM because it meant the very real possibility or not being here at my (now) former employer.  Well, today’s the day.  Monday morning I will work at the new agency, armed with my CAPM and working towards my PMP. I’m taking the same approach towards PMP.  I am very much okay with the reality that I will qualify for Lead Management Analyst next April.  My job is to keep pushing forward capturing all available opportunities. Since I’m starting at the new agency and view myself one year in advance, I do see myself getting my TV show aired by the Aspire TV by next April. Currently, I am taking classes, joined an organization and am writing my TV summaries (plus participating in ScriptFrenzy). I just know that I’ll be farther along.  That’s embracing change; and, really isn’t this what life is truly about?

Four Seasons Washington Send Off

            At the Four Seasons Washington, I tell Flora that I have received my promotion and will start working at another agency, she commissions the chef to bake me celebratory chocolate cake.  In one week, I will be finished working as an Economist and start working as a Program Analyst position.  I am so happy that I am that I will get to use my project management certification because it has been two years in the making.  When I felt that I was stuck, I asked my other friend, she said that she detailed as a Management Analyst during the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act project.  I took online project management courses through the community college since UDC doesn’t have any ones.  In 2011 I enrolled in the Graduate School PMP exam preparation.  I passed the Certificate in Associate Project Management (CAPM) on August 23^rd.  Eight months later I will start working as a Program Analyst exactly 8 months later. 

Change and Transition

Change: 1a) to make different in some particular; alter; 1b) to make radically different; 1c) to give a different position, course, or direction to

            When I studied for my CAPM certification, I accepted that my life would change and been okay with it.  Well, in two weeks I will start working at my new job directly resulting in a promotion.  Now that I’ll reenroll in my PMP exam prep class, I am open towards receiving a step increase accelerating my promotion.  This promotion puts me in the stratosphere.  The added bonus is that I am doing what I love.  I’m using SAS and working in project management.  What better combination? I get to grow personally and professionally in my new position.

Personal Enrichment Is a Must

            Watching these student videos make me want to hand them a copy of Story  by Robert McKee!  Their pictures would be so much better!  Oftentimes, you read on the required textbooks instead of those on the strongly recommended list.  I admit when I was a student I only read from the former. Now as an adult, I understand the personal enrichment concept.  Though I attend Writer Center workshops, I read as many books from the recommended list as possible to learn more tips.  I’ve learned more from these books than the lectures.  I like Story because even though it was written 15 years ago in 1997, it is eye-opening. 

            After I complete Story, I’ll start reading The Screenwriter’s Bible.  Forget the fact that the USDA Graduate School has cancelled its screenwriting class, I’m still reading its assigned textbook.  As I age, I’ve claimed responsibility for my own education.  Monday, I’ll call USDA asking about the class’ status. Still I’ll order the book to prepare me for ScriptFrenzy and April’s volunteer film role.  I must know what I’m talking about.  Moreover, the Writer Center won’t offer filmmaking until mid-May.  That 1 ½ months later.  Besides, I’m on my personal timetable where I must write no less than three 20-minute TV episodes during ScriptFrenzy in order to pitch my concept to Aspire TV.  I have been looking into learning about filming and cinematography.  I am adamant about creating my own sizzle reel to accompany my TV pitch.  Of course, I’ll have all of my newly acquired film friends.  I have the money so I’ll attend in April as many workshops as possible to absorb as much knowledge.  Remember, this is a business and possessing working knowledge of cinematography helps me establish expectations.

            My business mentality has helped me find creative opportunities.  Combine this with my MBA, project management certification and professional film membership, and I’ll blow up the industry!  I am ready to hit the ground running.  I’ve just joined the film organization today and will research area film schools for workshops because I will become the full package.  I haven’t ignored my online Ed2Go courses that hold me over whenever the Writer Center or UDC doesn’t offer the classes that I need.  I’ve just scored 86% on my Breaking into Sitcom TV writing final and scored 100% on Descriptive Settings quizzes 1 and 2.  This week I might pay $99 to enroll in Ed2Go’s Pleasures of Poetry because I must expand my creativity and vocabulary.  In addition, I might rollover my $87 to attend the Writer Center’s Syntax seminar to improve my wordplay.  These classes are personal investment ensuring that I keep learn and honing my craft to get picked up by the network.

Lights, Camera, Business! Day One at the Hill Center's Workshop

             As a Writer Center member, I subscribe to the Hill Center’s newsletter.  On Wednesday I saw An Insider’s Guide to the Business of Media class.  Immediately I wanted to attend.  I emailed the staff about receiving a Writer Center discount.  The staff responded that it was independent of the Hill Center.  I paid the money because learning about the business was what was needed to get my TV pilot launched. 

            This is the best money I’ve ever spent thus far on a class!  As soon as the first seminar starts, I learn something new. This film workshop makes me proud to have an MBA, because I understand the bottom line. It’s amazing how creativity types don’t value LinkedIn. It’s only the go-to business networking site! I know that even MGM, Miramax and Warner Brothers have LinkedIn profiles. Remember, it’s a business. I’m glad the professional at our table drives home this point. ‘You want something working for you when you are asleep!’ He also stresses 1-page resumes because it shows your editing skills.  As a science/business type with a 2-pager, this is news to me.  I’ll get on that immediately!  Also joining TV professional organizations help expand your network enabling you to get jobs.  Furthermore, during the break, I meet with a lady who sits on an organizational board that interests me.  I’m unclear about which membership category I fit since I’m not in the industry.  When I mention professional, she concurs.  I get to save $20 off because I’ve attended today’s workshop.  That’s money in the bank!  This is proof positive that even with the plethora of Skype, online chats and instant messaging, face-to-face still dominates.  There’s no pretense.  You get the answer ASAP!

My business background has aided me during the afternoon session.  When attendees ask about how much creative control they have when pitching their show ideas, I wholeheartedly understand one of the executive’s responses that she has a budget and viewership metrics to meet.  I think that so many of the students and other participants are so busy creating, they aren’t quantifying.  Everything costs money.  Afterward, we exchange business cards and I head home knowing that I have so work to do because I want to feedback on my TV pilot show.  Better get it tomorrow during the pitch session. 

This first day has given me so many ideas and goals to set allowing me to build my resume.  The announcement has a resume workshop flummoxing me because I am in the industry.  Throughout this first day, I learn that I can volunteer and network to create one.  This motivates me to join the women’s professional organization and look to joining some more.  In addition, there are an abundance of project management jobs.  The fact that I have project management certification and writing experience, I know that I can get jobs in film.  Today and tomorrow I will evaluate my transferable skills to land me a film job. 

Creating Win-Win Situations

            Friday I had the hiring agency’s HR lady tell me that I didn’t qualify for the position.  I was disappointed because I was also nursing a nasty cold taking a ½ day off to recuperate.  I truly didn’t need that dismal news upon returning home.  She then asked me for my agency’s contact.  I told her that mine was out until Monday.  Crazed I called my mentor who advised me to reach out to the hiring official.  He might had some pull to hire me.  My officemate told me that my federal status was the sole thing holding me back.  If I wasn’t working for the feds, the hiring agency would had approved me.  Her words calmed me bringing my blood pressure down for the entire weekend.

            Fast forward to Monday.  My agency’s HR responds to my email.  I answer that it has gotten a whole lot more complicated since Thursday night.  Making a follow-up call to see if she’s in her office.  When she confirms, I walk to the second floor telling her everything.  I have taken my finger prints and eQip 85.  Also how originally the site says that I am not selected.  I ask the interviewer this before getting started.  He tells me that the certificate is still good.  Agency HR is astounded that I’ve gotten through the entire process undetected.  In disbelief, I mention that I have the announcement.  She tells me to get them.  Returning to my office, I am disappointed that the higher grade announcement has merit attached.  Printing the USAJOBS account, the lower grade one is for everyone.  I go back down to HR’s office armed with both.  Seeing these two, my HR is flabbergasted.  I guess HR has picked me for the wrong announcement.  I ask her if it is possible to switch me from the higher grade to the lower grade.  This saves me time and HR money.  No one loses face for a paper mistake.  Mine agrees telling me that she anticipates a call from the other HR to smooth it over for me.  Creating a win-win situation speaks of personal maturity.  Why make someone look stupid?

Sharing the Load

Today I walk out realizing the reason why I have so many options is because I am putting in the work.  Many people wait for God to do the work when in fact He’s telling you that you must share some of the load.  I’ve seen this today at landlord and tenant court with people falling on the mercy of the court.  That’s why I’ve filed all of the necessary paperwork, and spoken with the necessary people .  Now I am in a position to be stable through this spring through my CSU 10^th year reunion.  I’m doing all that I can so now God will help me out. 

Yippee!  Later this evening I received an email for a very important position.  Immediately I completed the form because I wanted to get this job.  It was in project management and that was the direction I wanted to go.  I obtained my CAPM certification last year for that very reason.  Now the seeds had been sown, it is only a matter of time because I reap the harvest!  Wish me luck!

This Week

This week will be awesome! I’m sure of it because the sun is shining and so am I! Nothing will get in my way! There are so many wonderful things that will happen that I must keep them top secret!

Getting to Happy

Though I’m disappointed that no one at the charity organization tells me about the buzz in procedures for tonight’s leadership volunteer training session, I am happy that it is $2 Taco night at El Centro D.F.  I might go after the hectic day I’ve had.  If not, I will sit pretty watching all of the interesting Discovery channel programming and read The Start-up of You.  This book has helped me crystallize the skills I must acquire in order to get to the next level. 

I'm a Three for Three in White House Tweetups!

Yippee!  The White House has selected me to attend the March 14, 2012 Tweetup where the President and the First Lady will greet UK Prime Minister Cameron and his wife for their first visit since the British elections.  This is the third time that I have been picked!  Next month’s event is right up my alley because I have a BA in International Economics degree and traveled to London, England ten years ago during Queen Elizabeth’s jubilee.  Immediately I complete and send my Excel spreadsheet with all vital information because I will be front and center. 

Get Recruited! Book Review

            Ever wonder why you land many interviews but never a job offer? You haven’t seen the process from the recruiter’s perspective.  There’s a difference between job searching and recruiting.  The former is uploading your resume on Monster, CareerBuilder and Indeed.  The latter means cultivating relationships and developing a brand.  Get Recruited! supplies superior insight to increasing your visibility by tapping into the recruiter’s world, a hidden job market of unlisted positions. This book goes beyond burnishing your resume, by helping you network with recruiters, like-minded professionals, create a career advisory board, media kits, business cards and find mentors and sponsors. Mentors and sponsors are meaningful because you’ll need them at every career stage.  When change jobs or receive promotion, you must find new ones.  Graham also says that media kits, business cards and branding specialists aren’t only for Fortune 500 firms. Use them to create your own branding strategy to find the job that you want. Finally, the author shows you how to use various networking levels (friends and family, volunteering, social media, past jobs and organizational memberships) to expand your current network.  Ultimately, Get Recruited! succeeds where other texts don’t by getting you unstuck.  What more can you ask for in a career management book?

Saturday Night at Policy

            The reason why I decided to eat Policy was because that screenwriting instructor advised to ‘get a life and go outside when all of your characters sounded alike.’  I was truly against surrounding myself with broke hipsters who used to live off of DuPont Circle but since the Great Recession now lived off of U Street, I made the trek up 14^th and T streets NW at 10pm and it was a madhouse!  There were people lined outside of the door!  Luckily, I had a reservation or so I thought.  I told the male host about mine and he disappeared for 10 minutes.  The people kept coming crowding the small waiting area.  The security guard asked me for ID which was extremely ghetto.  I could dine at Palm or Bourbon Steak without showing ID and they are five-star restaurants!  I had to chase down the female hostess and snag the booth.  My tables wasn’t bussed because the staff was spread thin.  At least I got a sheet. I asked my waitress for recommendation and she mentioned that the chicken wasn’t small plates but everything else was.  Then I inquired about the olive and she said that was a good choice.  Now I loved olives but not the full bushel of them!  I sat there thinking there was no way Policy could make a profit giving three pounds at $1.99 a piece!  Sheesh!  Next was the chicken with mashed potatoes were excellent.  What wasn’t excellent were all of the wannabe people there.  They were my age but unlike me didn’t have the disposable income.  See, I was a professional; whereas, they were support.  The men walked around in Men’s Warehouse shirts and the women paraded around in Limited dresses.  These items you typically didn’t see in my neighborhood!  My meal was actually so I considered desserts but after waiting 15 minutes for my waitress, I declined asking for my check!  I paid and returned back to my humble abode.  Next time, I will simply go for lunch and save myself to Cititrends drama or people posing without any real income!

Last Night at El Centro D.F.

            I am back at El Centro DF because I craved Mexican food and familiarity.  Though Opentable.com had Policy reservation, I refused to sit amongst all of those broke hipsters.  I knew that I made more money than they did.  Just ordered my Jalisco shrimp and crab dinner and ate in peace!  I walked up to the restaurant where the hostess initially assigned me to ‘the downstairs dungeon.’  I barfed telling her that I preferred sitting on the ground floor.  The downstairs wouldn’t be bad if the steps were wider.  If someone was going in the opposite direction, you must stop.  That was hard when you were on an incline.  I ain’t breaking my ankle over no food!  Okay so the lady seated me right across from the men’s bathroom.  Whenever it was in use, the bright light hit me.  I felt like a pre-midnight Gremlin, I claimed victory by not being seated in purgatory!         

            When the waitress brought me my Jalisco meal with the plantains and cilantro rice, my eyes expanded liked one of those cartoon characters.  I was in disbelief that I would get all of that food for $15!  It was bigger than the family-sized HungryMan TV dinner.  It was yummy, too!  Also it’s so colorful, I should had brought my camera!  This reminded me to buy the USB cable chord from Amazon ASAP!  Though I could not eat the whole thing, I made a major dent into the plate.  I finished off one soft taco, ½ the plantains and ¾ of the cilantro rice!  I prided myself of consuming that much food!  Major gastronomical feat!  I should had taken a bow of over it!  I had the waitress box the rest of my meal because plantains would be wonderful for tomorrow’s breakfast.  Exiting El Centro D.F. fat and happy and carefree from today’s world wind day. 

No, You Can't Pick My Brain: It Costs Too Much Book Review

            The global workforce is in flux.  Workers, used to staying at one job for 30 years, is vaporizing.  They need flexibility and portable because this is a knowledge based economy.  Brain not brawn is the order of today.  Workers must acquire the skills that’ll help them stay afloat in choppy career waters where the sharks circle them.  Adrienne Graham’s No You Can’t Pick My Brain serves as the blueprint for maneuvering in this new paradigm for retaining your knowledge for your benefit.

The Week That Was

Attending the White House Tour and covering the White House’s State of the Union Tweetup made for an eventful week. The tourists aligned outside of Hamilton Place behind the Treasury Department; however, unlike the Christmas tour neither camera nor purses were allowed. A man brought his camera and a lady brought her purse. I recommended to both of them to walk across the street to the W Hotel asking customer service to hold it for them until the tour concluded. The nearby hotels housed tourists so they understood. I met with fellow bloggers and others in the line. Walking into the White House, it felt different without the lights and trees. The residence looked naked. I remembered all of the adornment. My group did get the funniest tour guide that I ever had. He admitted that he was a Secret Service man (Who knew? I originally thought, but, then it made since they were responsible for protecting the President. That would be the best Secret Service job in the world!). The group also had a toddler who though made noises, didn’t cry. He was very well-behaved for 45 minutes.

Once the tour concluded, I walked home to drop off some of my White House memorabilia then scheduled lunch at the downtown DC Morton’s Steakhouse. Lunch was divine but more importantly the hostess remembered my name and seating preference over one year later. That customer service made me seriously reconsider the restaurant given that my favorite didn’t accept reservations for 1 anymore. I ate shrimp and scallops plus people-watch. The atmosphere resembled the Palm and every other high-end steakhouse. I returned home getting ready for my second Tweetup. 

This was my second time at the White House and was ecstatic that the Eisenhower Executive Office Building has wi-fi allowing me to carry my laptop there. The security procedure was late so the guards were scrambling. I sat four rows behind because of the rush making my photos blurry. Mind you I never used my wi-fi connection so I was very happy for assistance. Finally, I got the Internet connection and started asking my Twitter followers for more State of the Union questions. Once President Obama started there was so much Internet traffic I was forced to use Apple Safari over Internet Explorer. I tweeted so much that I thought Twitter would put me in Twitter jail. There were so many people retweeting my posts it amazed me that I could paraphrase President Obama’s speech. After the speech ended, administration officials spoke to the bloggers. I didn’t exit until 11:15pm. The 17th street McDonalds closed forcing me to huff all the way to 19th & M streets which stayed opened until 1am. I bought dinner returning home around 12 midnight. 

I was happy that I took Wednesday off to recuperate because I was up since 7am. Usually I worked from 7am to 4:30pm but the White House schedule stretched until early Wednesday morning. When I came back to work at Thursday I was so giddy knowing that I was registered for the Agency’s International Accounts training program. This course expanded my network letting me exploit opportunities in another directorate. I felt that I accomplished so much in my current position and though I loved my Agency, I needed new challenges. The training program exposed me to new stuff. Since it was down time, I also got to reexamine my personal interests. I decided to switch my science interests from physics to biology because I had more classes underneath my belt with the latter. In high school I took biology, botany and anatomy & physiology. NASA’s Astronaut program mandating pure science degrees over social science degrees (I have an economics one.), motivates me to pursue it. While enrolled in UDC and taking calculus III, I learned that the physics majors only had to take calculus II. If I had that kind of math proficiency certainly I could master biology or physics. Most of my math credits covered the UDC’s biology major leaving me only the science part. I ordered Biology Essentials for Dummies and was glad that I had because if I purchased Biology for Dummies it would had whooped my butt. That was too much information and biology required a lot of memorization!

Friday was the Commerce Department Combined Leaders Development program graduation. I volunteered as the floater/usher taking Deputy Secretary to her seat. How cool was that? I wanted to give back because the leadership development program helped me in my career. Tonight it helped me understand that I was frustrated not getting the proper management opportunities on my job so I registered for ServeDC and Greater DC Cares. I possessed project management certification so I was qualified to do the work. After completing the online orientation, I would RSVP for February leadership volunteer program. I would volunteer my way towards becoming a manager or a director. I owed that clarity to the Department’s program. It was very rare that every single day was eventful but this week was the exception.

The Best Time to Blog

This is a very good ReadWriteWeb article entitled about the Best Time to Blog. Enjoy!

Dinner at Lost Society

I ate at Lost Society off of U Street tonight because next Saturday the restaurant is the destination after the Young Guru Gilt City DC event. I mistakenly RSVPed for tomorrow because the hostess honored my reservation allowing me to dine there. I was happy that Lost Society still offered Restaurant Week one week afterward. I ordered the lobster quinoa, Parpardelle pasta and chocolate and butterscotch cookies with gelato. I loved all three dishes and immediately after finishing up my meal, I found the manager asking about the Gilt City DC details. I made a RSVP guaranteeing a smooth transition from the studio to the restaurant. The deal mentioned only light hors d'oeuvre I covered myself by placing a dinner reservation. Overall, I thought that Lost Society’s ambiance would complement Gilt City’s event. I cannot wait!

Masa 14 Dinner Restaurant Week Review

I went to Masa 14 for my final Restaurant Week meal because I saw the Kung Fu Chicken. Anything named that was worthy of a try. Since it was on 14th street instead of either downtown, DuPont Circle or Georgetown, I didn’t think that I needed to reserve on Opentable a day before; but, I was wrong. I called the restaurant for 8pm. I wore my black Neiman Marcus cashmere sweater, black Armani Exchange jeans and black Nine West booties there because I wanted to stand out against all of those low-rent hipsters. I was right. I looked way more polished than these peons. Well, I started ordering and first up with the Masa chicken salad which I loved because it had more chicken than salad. Second was the okra and chilies which was okay but the dish contained more chilies than okra disappointing me. Third, was the Kung Fu Chicken, the reason why I dined there. It was very good not tasting like generic Chinese food with MSG. The dish tasted like an actual chef created it. Finally, there was the banana cake dessert. It was moist and delicious! I would return to Masa because unlike other small plate restaurant, I left full which was wonderful because I had no desire to cook after returning home.

Thoroughly Enjoying the Brief January Warm-Up

The nice 65-degree weather (I don’t care what anyone says about global warming. I need this after that bone chilling cold weather earlier this week!) has made me put on my salmon pink Ann Taylor dress and Stuart Weitzman Mykonos sandals running all the way to McCormick & Schmicks off of F street for salmon rigatoni! I need this and an earlier nap to refresh my legs! I think because I have run so fast that the blood in my brain couldn’t get any oxygen forcing me to take aspirin. However, it is very rare to have a mid-60 day in January. Tomorrow it’ll be colder so enjoy it now!

2011: Notes at the End of the Year

This has been a very crazy but productive 2011! Here’s what I have learned this year: • Change is the only constant • Regardless of income always have an emergency fund • Become more financially literate by knowing what’s in my retirement • I am more resilient than I give myself credit • Holding grudges are counterproductive for my health and happiness 2012 will be a very good year because I have finally realized what I am doing and am ready to take it to the next level. I will live my life to the fullest by becoming more creative. I will also resolve my living situation, remove any and all grudges and increase my productivity by earning my PMP and SAS certifications and start my own business.

Celebrating New Year's Eve 2011

I ate at McCormick & Schmicks this evening. I have a lot to celebrate this year. Regardless of my personal life, I have managed to earn my CAPM certification in the middle of an earthquake! If I can achieve this distinction during a natural disaster, certainly nothing can stop me in 2012! Cheers!

Wishing Everyone a Very Merry Christmas!

I am wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Financially Speaking

Finishing the analysis and valuation for stocks final has taught me a new set of finance skills. I am better equipped to decide my future including retirement. I am developing investment strategy which’ll provide me with more income. Since next year, I’ll deal with more intellectual property with songwriting, magazine articles and TV pilot. Moreover, I can read financial statements, calculate ratios and uncover deals. I will do these checks on firms that interest. Next year I’ll celebrate my 10th year MBA reunion and even with marriage and child rearing I’ll be sitting on a Fortune 500 board by my 20th year MBA reunion. Tomorrow I will open a regular savings at PNC. I’ll deposit what I can into it. Right now I want to create a habit. The statement savings requires $200 floor and my life isn’t stable enough for this account. Once it does then I will upgrade accounts. Right now I want to create a savings habit. In addition, I want to reconcile then close my HSCB account because I am no longer using it. Furthermore, I will read my retirement statements and reassess my diversification because it will start working for me in 2012. I’ll fax the HQ office for more 2012 investment information because I make my retirement decisions over the Christmas holiday break. Thanks to the two finance courses, I will be more astute next year. I have taken analysis and valuation of stocks to decipher venture capital deals and become an angel investor. I possess sufficient business knowledge to advise new start-ups. Acquainting myself with the value side will help grow businesses. I am also big on microfinance because I know that offering small businesses these small amounts stimulate the economy pulling America out of the recession. Next year, I will focus on realizing all of my business goals.

Good News

I have a multitude of good news. First, my George Patton Memorial Scholarship check is in the mail and I should receive it by Tuesday. I have pestered HQ for nearly one month over $200. Still it is a scholarship and I have earned the money. In even bigger news, I have won a personal victory which I cannot comment on only to say that I am very proud of its results. I can breathe and enjoy Christmas, New Year's Eve, MLK Day, Presidents' Day and the Cherry Blossom Festival. Most importantly, I can be still listening to intuition. Tomorrow I will restart my project management studies by purchasing another notebook, buying PMP Certification for Dummies and Headfirst.com PMP Certification books, rereading PMBOK and start reading PMI Scheduling practice guide. I have three months giving me more than enough time to focus on obtaining my PMP certification. Attaining the PMP separates me from everyone else; and, that's exactly what I want. In addition, I will pay the SAS' base SAS certification e-course tomorrow because I know that I can master the material WAAAY before March 2012 when Rockville holds its base SAS certification class. I want to do more than stand out! I must be ahead of the curve! Come spring, I will possess two certifications. My future has become brighter and there is no limit towards achieving the life I want to live.

White House Tweetup Photos

Here are the Monday, December 5, 2011 White House Tweetup photos

Eisenhower Executive Office Building

Eisenhower Lobby Christmas Tree

Brad Cooper

Macon Phillips

White House Holiday Open House and Christmas Tree Tour

White House Holiday Open House and Christmas Tree Tour
I follow the White House on Twitter and when it posts the Tweetup link, I click on it registering for the event. I am thinking ‘What the heck?’. The last week of November I received an email saying to respond by noon; however, my boss and I were so busy with the deadline that I didn’t see the email until 12:15pm. I feverishly completed the registration form praying that the White House would had penalize me for my tardiness. When I received the confirmation, I jumped for joy running out to buy a new digital camera specifically for this event.

The instructions told us to meet at 17th and State Place NW to pass security before entering the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. After going through the turnstiles and obtaining our passes, we walked through a maze from the Eisenhower building to the South building where lo and behold there was no wi-fi for the Tweetup. Luckily, I had my small notebook where I jotted down notes and photographed all of the White House staffers: Tina Tchen, the First Lady’s chief of staff; Brad Cooper, Executive Director of Joining Forces non-profit; Jon Carson, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Public Engagement; Aneesh Chopra, Assistant to the President for Technology and US Chief Technology Officer; Macon Phillips, Special Assistant to the President and Director of Digital Strategy; Laura Dowling, White House Florist; and, Bill Yossess, White House Pasty chef. I asked Jon Carson about if the Administration considered nationalization the $50 billion infrastructure program to reduce unemployment like FDR did with the New Deal and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Carson thanked me for mentioning the American Jobs Act provision then explained that FDR didn’t solely rely on the federal government to create jobs. He partnered with private companies to hire workers when unemployment was 25%. He also mentioned that President Obama was trying to broker the same deal with the American Jobs Act.

The Tweetup ended with all of the participants leaving the South building for lunch and upload photos and post tweets. I ate at Café Soleil right down the street off of 17th street NW. Afterward I walked through Executive Park to 15th and Alexander Hamilton Place for the Christmas Tour. Receiving this invitation was awesome because normally you must contact your elected official to obtain approval for a White House tour. I was on the grounds with the other Tweetup participants and several others. After going through three checkpoints, we entered the White House. Every single room contained Bo, the Obamas’ pet dog. The Florist and Pastry Chef said that Bo was a big factor in the Christmas designs. There was Bo made of recycled material and another one constructed from marshmallows and licorice. Finally, the high school choir sang Christmas carols in the foyer next to the White House front entrance.

This Tweetup and Christmas tree tour were more than just goodwill promotions appeasing people. They were informative granting us access to key White House personnel. The Christmas Tree tour embodied the season presenting ebullient decorations throughout the House. I loved both events and couldn’t wait to register for another Tweetup!