Dream Alive, Chin Up, Claws Out.

Remember when you were little and the teacher would ask you; “Jonny, what do you want to be when you grow up”? Can you remember the very first answer that came out of your mouth? An answer that didn’t require heavy adult thoughts such as; how will I pay for college?, will there be a job market in 20 years?, will my career choice provide medical benefits? or will this job fulfill my life’s purpose? Awww, such a time of childhood innocence---- a fairy tale land, where no one and nothing would pop your fantasy bubble. Bounce into 20 years later--- you livin’ that dream? For most of us, we are not. Not because the passion had vanished, but because the road of opportunity has been worn down to a pebble pathway, simply not allowing much traffic.

It’s becoming more challenging to make a living, doing what truly makes you happy. Every industry has been hit with the current economic state of our nation. Those dream jobs are harder to achieve and the competition is severely fierce. I’m not saying the hope it gone--- it’s just now solely up to YOU, to make it happen. No more easy in’s and certainly the job will NOT find you.

A couple of thoughts, if you’ve found yourself miserable in your job, or currently on the job market.

You are replaceable. Even though we’d like to think, “They can’t do this without me”…guess what, they can and they will. Business is business and at the end of the day it’s not about your feelings, it’s about the bottom line. Be the best you—offer them something that sets you apart. Like a nice butt… kidding.

There is no such thing as a free lunch. This goes for landing that job. It takes A LOT of effort, rejection and continuously hanging tough. Be aggressive. Follow up with the resume you sent, if you haven’t heard back. You have every right to know the status of your application. Send hand-written thank you notes to recruiters and interviewers… they WILL remember you for that. And be creative about it. Tell them why they need to hire you, don’t be generic.

You will not get your dream job thought the internet. Network. Find out who knows someone—even if it’s the janitor. Your resume will be one out of hundreds, so don’t let yours be at the bottom of the pile. If you resume get’s passed/hand delivered, you have now increased your chance for an interview by 80%.... seriously.

Secure your online reputation. Be sure future employers cannot access your personal photos, wall posts etc. Do you really want them to know you’re a wino and have been known to dance on tables? No. It’s not their business and so, you need to be sure you don’t make it theres. Also make sure your online professional info is current and relates to the positions you are applying for.

Stand out. If there is opportunity to mail your resume packet in- do it. Also send in a digital copy. Create a package that is unique, relevant to the position, creative, memorable and will impress. At the end of the day, they will base their decisions on your experience and if they like you. If they think it would be fun to work with you. Even if you’re not fun, make them think you are. Here is an example of a resume packet I created:

May I wish you the very best of luck. Creating a life that you adore and one that is fulfilling. Don’t give up. The more you put out in the universe, the more you get back. Being tenacious will get you what you want.

Don’t stop believin’

Dear Lonely Hearts & Hallmark Sucker,

February 14^th may leave your pockets or heart empty. Today may be the day when shadows past are remembered or a night full of unexpected romances. Valentine’s Day may just be a typical day, full of morning commutes and microwave dinners. Whomever you are, remember this: Love is displayed in many forms, and is most defiantly not always leather & lace. Enjoying a home cooked meal around the dinner table as a family; being on the wait list at the Olive Garden for two hours; Grabbing martinis & manis with your best girlfriends; a simple Facebook message or 12 dozen roses, and a box of chocolate.

All of these circumstances share a common theme--- Love, love, love. May this Valentine’s Day you find unconditional love in yourself, and in return have more love to give. Also, remember to treat each other as they are your everyday Valentine—1: 365 is just not a ratio anyone should really be willing to work with. Be nice often. Love now.

Couple more side notes:

Vday haters get over yourself-- your alone and your envious that all your buddies have hot girlfriends and will most likely have a long night of whoopie..... and PDA couples--- please refrain from humping each other in the booth. It makes me stare at you and I think would make you feel awkward. And my most favorite, Valentine-less winey women---- who cares about this day. It would be nice to get some flowers and have a nice dinner today, but your not. Your alone this year; its ok-- If you can do lonely on Valentines Day good, you WILL do non-lonely even better. So just keep your hopes up, he will come around. He will certainly come around if your not feeling sorry for yourself.

In commemoration of Valentine’s Day, take a look at how others are celebrating:

Weird and Wonderful Valentine Celebrations

Peace & Love

Sucked, Melted, Tucked, Lifted, Implanted, and Pinned

Not sure if you’ve noticed, but we as a culture have become obsessed with youth & beauty. However, through history women have always found beauty regiments that enhance physical features---corsets date back to the 15^th century, which were known for uncomfortable cinching, and the occasional pass out. Or the cold cream your grandma used for 50 years. These are all normal concepts to me. Not a huge investment, nor life-threatening, and doesn’t require using a fat donor to make your ass look plump.

You heard it. A fat donor. I’m specifically speaking about the latest beauty trend, The Brazilian Butt Lift—“The procedure removes fat from selected areas of your body, purifies the fat, then reinjects selected donor fat cells into your buttocks. The process of fat reinjection involves scores or hundreds of injections. The procedure is designed to fill the upper quadrant of your buttocks so that the butt appears lifted and perky. The resulting effect is that the woman appears more attractive and sensuous.”

Why would I want fat from someone else? So incredibly eerie. In effort to enhance the figure, one must allow HUNDREDS of incisions/injections, permission to remove the very matter of who you are and be willing to accept fat from someone else. Would you eat candy from a stranger, then why would you inject stranger fat? Just get over that your ass is flat, maybe it’s from sitting on the couch for too long, or you inherited it from your mother. Love yourself and not Kim Kardashian. Kim’s got a rockin bod, but it’s because of all the medical work she has had. Who knows in 20 years what the sucking and tucking will look like…..

Another procedure that is beyond me is Monopolar Radiofrequency, AKA Fat Melting—“ Treating spot fat has never been easier - even if you go to the gym on a regular basis and eat a healthy diet, you may have pockets of fat that are stubborn and resistant to remove., Uses monopolar radio frequency (RF) to "melt fat." The Exilis (machine) allows multiple levels of penetration into the skin to deliver different results, even delving deep enough to affect the subcutaneous fat layer - that troublesome fat just under the skin. No surgery needed”.

So what you’re telling me is that I’ll pump high-levels of radio waves into my body, to rid troublesome belly fat --- to in return get cancer in 10 years, from involuntary absorbing radio waves. WTF?! This makes no sense….come on people; we don’t know what these procedures will do to our health. When did looking flawless take priority of evading chemo? Radiation and chemo should get that dress size down—ask someone who’s been through it. Awful.

Ladies (and some obsessed men), you were not born physically perfect, nor will you ever be. Everything ages. And most aging is done beautifully. Let time age you. It’s how it was meant to be--- the natural progression of aging…and dying. Think before you do certain things to your body. The law of physics, “Every action is accompanied by a reaction of equal magnitude but opposite direction”

Don’t be a Joan Rivers.

Super Bowl Commercials: And the Award goes to....

So the Super Bowl hype has simmered, and the Packers have most likely already enjoyed their vaca to Disneyland. Super Bowls act in many forms--- as a childhood pastime, a drunken Sunday afternoon, a cheating day to stuff your face with cheesy bean dip and mini wieners or if your extra lucky, experiencing the win of your beloved team.

This year my Super Bowl memory was spent with close friends, a couple of pitchers of PBR and two Washington Apple shots (the next day I was reminded, I’m simply too old for this). As part of watching a game none of us really cared about, we kept a log of our favorite commercials. Yeah, yeah The Today Show’s got their list, and then every other media outlet just copies one another. These are the ones we found most appealing for various reasons. I give it a good year for Super Bowl ads--- overall creative, thoughtful and witty. Shit, for what you pay for the ad, you better get at the very least a giggle or fake laugh.

Most Anticipated Movie

Marvel’s Thor

Miss. It of the year, Natalie Portman rockin side-kick to a super hero. Hot. Up and coming aussie Chris Hemsworth… even hotter. Have you seen this man? He’ll be huge by this time next year. This movie will be a hit… one should plan on checking it out on the big screen and not wait for Netflix to send it to you.

http://thor.marvel.com

Pirates of the Caribbean 4

Number 4…I wonder how Johnny Depp feels about making a 4th movie. The Pirate thing can only be done so many times--- I’m sure the special effects, Jack Sparrow’s quirky character and hopefully a wrap up to a Disney classic will be worth checking out.

Most expensive AND best script

Chrysler Eminem Super Bowl Commercial - Imported From Detroit

One of the longest commercials in Super Bowl history about 2 minutes, reportedly cost a little under 9 million. Phew! We felt the spot was highly original and full of rich, crisp spoken words. Much props to the peeps of Detroit, may you stay on the right side of those tracks.

Almost peed myself

Bridgestone—Reply to All

This one was hilarious and was not given the attention it deserved. We’ve all experienced the feeling of utter panic in a situation like this. Makes your stomach jump up into your heart just thinking about the Reply all Button. There should be a “Are you sure you want to send” window before it sends. Windows, Apple, are you listening?

Doritos—Creepy Cheesy Lover

Sick, creepy, weird—love it. I would have to agree with the man--- sucking on cheesy fingers can really brighten your day.

Best Animation

Brisk— Eminem ,Shut Up and Drink it.
Because I was born, raised, from, lived, and currently living in nerd-ville, one would have to appreciate the masterful art form of stop-motion animation. This commercial was created by manipulating pieces of clay or a puppet, frame by frame….. motion by motion…which is all then synced up in to one 30 second long picture. A 30 second spot can take up to 3 months to produce…talk about patience.

And just because the WORLD loves it….. Enjoy!

VW: Darth Vader and this car

Click Here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55e-uHQna0