Link August 29, 2014 August 30, 2014 Monet From Monet, Oregon, People, Place	browne's addition, creative writing, graduate school, higher education, loneliness, motel, Mr. Rodgers, neighbors, people, Residence Life, Spokane Washigton, Would you be my neighbor?	
Today is the seventeenth day. I didn’t mean to begin counting but after the tenth day, I couldn’t help but notice. It’s been seventeen days since I saw any of my neighbors. In theory, there should be five humans, one for each of the five doors besides ours in this building on the second floor, but of course, it could be more. It might not seem all the strange to you, that I haven’t seen a single soul in the hallway outside of our apartment for seventeen days, but as an unemployed person who spends most of her days going in and out, it’s becoming more and more bizarre. When we first moved in, I saw the man across the hall at least once a day as he was taking his small dog for a walk. He always spoke, or least nodded, and he seemed like a good omen.
August 27, 2014 August 26, 2014 Monet Culture, From Monet, Oregon, People	Neighborhoods, Pacific Northwest, Portland, summer	
I don’t know how many more mornings I’ll wake up surprised to be where I am: 28 years old, unmarried, jobless, in Portland, Oregon. Young, able, stupid in love, wise and unwise, and in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
I didn’t know that winter could loom like a cartoon villain drawn in black lines — a hulking presence behind me while I sweat in the summer heat. Conflicting reports don’t help my fears. “It’s not so bad.” vs. “Did you notice all the soup shops? Winters wet like ours require comfort.” Continue reading →
August 15, 2014 August 15, 2014 Monet From Monet, Oregon	Anime, Apartments, Bleach, Ichigo Kurosaki, Lofts, Moving, Portland	
2. Sitting in the garage with a beer, I was counting the bug bites on my legs, and talking to Adam’s girlfriend, Misty.
3. When we arrived at our new apartment & had picked up our keys, we began the never-ending task of unloading our stuff. One U-haul, one car and one truck full of stuff.
I am the type of person that can sometimes put great pressure on himself. My job at LAL ended about two days ago, and I miss the experience tremendously. I met some fantastic people, and the Fordham University campus was so very beautiful to wake up to; however, like all things in life, my job has come to an end.
After sitting at my grandparent’s house for just a day, I have already grown restless. After having done SOMETHING every day for the past month, to be sitting on my ass for even one day does not seem right. Yesterday, I let the restlessness get to me while looking on job search websites and applying to the ones that I found to suit me. Today, though, I took some time to think, and here is what hit me.
On the second morning of a two-day trek to our new hometown of Portland, Oregon, we were up early and waiting to eat breakfast at place called Ardella’s — a quaint little restaurant in the picturesque town of Willits, California. Two young men working at the gas station had enthusiastically recommended the place. I could tell it was small-town northern California when the regulars showed up exactly 7 am, as a waitress was unlocking the doors and flipping the Closed sign to Open. We left with full bellies and lots of local gossip. TJ took the lead as we took scenic route 99 — a mountainous road that made my coffee slosh in my stomach. The only thing between me and the Kalmath River, sometimes fifty feet below, was my own skill as a driver. When we finally reached I-5, the major highway that would take us the rest of the way to Portland, my shoulders were so tight they were at my ears. We got in much later than we expected, hungry and sick of the road. It was a relief to have no trouble finding the house with the room we’d leased for a few days until we found an apartment. I’d used AirBnb, my first time, to save money for a hotel, and I wanted to actually feel what it was like to live in one of the many neighborhoods in Southeast Portland. The whole AirBnb experience could be its own post and probably will be, but not today. Our hostess, a woman named Karen, asked us each morning, how we were fairing — in general and on our apartment search. On the first morning, we were able to tell her that we’d found a place and by the second morning, we’d signed a lease. She said we were people who “Get Shit Done” —
The big idea: What people really think or feel about something, whether it’s an advertising message or a manager’s announcement, is often different from what they say. Facial coding, which is the interpretation of expressions in our faces, is the better way of understanding emotions and intentions.
What’s good: The author applies this science of facial coding into the world of business, specifically in marketing products and services as well as managing people, so there are plenty of actionable lessons from the book. The use of case studies and graphics brings the concept to life.
What’s bad: There’s a fair amount of self-promotion for the author’s consulting business throughout the book, and after the initial aha moment, things start to get repetitive.
The big idea: Former Worth publisher spins off a magazine article into a full-blown book, surveying the richest person in 100 US cities and towns and interviewing many of them to find their common denominator. The result is what he calls the Twelve Commandments of Wealth, which includes: find your passion, be your own boss, say yes to sales, work through obstacles, and never retire.
What’s good: Plenty of anecdotes and quotations from most of the so-called RMIT (Richest Man in Town), including those not as well-known as Bill Gates, giving readers access to their insights and experiences.
What’s bad: Most of the commandments of wealth are things you already know and have read in countless books and magazine articles.
The big idea: Already considered a classic, with over two million copies worldwide, Michael Gerber’s book busts the main myth about entrepreneurship: that it’s not about working in your business but working on it. That means using the franchise model in setting up turnkey systems that let anyone run each aspect of your business with as little discretion and training as possible.
What’s good: The book’s popularity obviously meant the concept has struck a nerve among the burnt-out self-employed who really are nothing more than technicians producing products rather than entrepreneurs building the business itself to basically run on its own. The key is to balance the three roles of technician, manager, and entrepreneur. If you’re in the habit of collecting business bestsellers, it wouldn’t be embarrassing to have this on your bookshelf.
What’s bad: The story-telling approach is a tad annoying. The concept is solid and there’s an attempt to offer specific steps, but the book remains short in details (hence the author’s consulting business and ancillary products).
The big idea: For small business, there are many ways of selling your products and services that cost little or nothing at all. All it takes is a little creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.
What’s good: This is a quick read with quite a number of helpful tips, particularly in the savvy use of PR. The authors are also generous with real-world examples of creative marketing from famous and not-so-famous business owners.
What’s bad: Many of the ideas – fancy business cards, speaking engagements – are trite (if you’ve already read Jay Conrad Levinson’s Guerilla Marketing, there’s nothing really fresh in this book) and not exactly off-the-wall edgy (except the part called Madcap Marketing). Recommendation: Skip it
The big idea: To make the transition from cubicle-trapped employee to flexible entrepreneur, you need to overcome what’s been stopping you, make a solid plan, and use pilot tests and prototypes to get your business off the ground.
What’s good: As a life coach and blogger, the author writes in just the right empathic, encouraging, and earnest tone that makes the book quite engaging to read. It helps that the book is well-organized, comprehensive, and practical without the dull and dizzying information overload found among less talented authors.
What’s bad: The first few chapters are a little touchy-feely, but the author hits her stride right after.
The big idea: Understanding how the brain really works can help us deal with other people better whatever the situation. Some examples: the brain can focus on one thing at a time, so it’s useless to multi-task. It can pay attention for only 10 minutes before it needs to reset. The brain responds to visual input best. It needs to rest and exercise increases its power. It loses cells over time but it can grow new connections so we can continue to learn new things even in old age.
What’s good: Neuroscience is the new pop economics, at least as far as topics for non-fiction best-sellers are concerned. And this book definitely lives up to its promise. It’s a fun and engaging read.
What’s bad: Perhaps a few more applications in business and family life would have added actionable steps. But this is just a quibble – get your brain working!
The big idea: There’s more to concrete than dull pavements, walls, and floors. The book shows the flexibility of the material through innovative projects at home.
What’s good: Lots of contemporary design ideas and step-by-step instructions for floor tiles, furniture, countertops, sinks, pathways, etc. If you’re looking for original and affordable ideas to decorate your home inside and out, you’ll find plenty of projects here.
The big idea: Decorating your home takes little cost but lots of creativity. This team of interior designers takes readers to each part of the home, breaking design into the basic components like color and storage, and then offering style options such as Contemporary, Country, Retro, and Family-friendly
What’s bad: Good for an overview of interior design but not very helpful if you already have a specific style in mind.
`Scrooge and Marley’s, I believe,’ said one of the gentlemen, referring to his list. `Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge, or Mr. Marley?’
`Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years,’ Scrooge replied. `He died seven years ago, this very night.’
`We have no doubt his liberality is well represented by his surviving partner,’ said the gentleman, presenting his credentials.
It certainly was; for they had been two kindred spirits. At the ominous word `liberality,’ Scrooge frowned, and shook his head, and handed the credentials back.
`At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,’ said the gentleman, taking up a pen, `it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and Destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.’
`Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,’ said Scrooge. `I’m very glad to hear it.’
`Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude,’ returned the gentleman, `a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink. and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?’
`I wish to be left alone,’ said Scrooge. `Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned — they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there.’
`If they would rather die,’ said Scrooge, `they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides — excuse me — I don’t know that.’
`It’s not my business,’ Scrooge returned. `It’s enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people’s. Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!’
Meanwhile the fog and darkness thickened so, that people ran about with flaring links, proffering their services to go before horses in carriages, and conduct them on their way. The ancient tower of a church, whose gruff old bell was always peeping slily down at Scrooge out of a Gothic window in the wall, became invisible, and struck the hours and quarters in the clouds, with tremulous vibrations afterwards as if its teeth were chattering in its frozen head up there. The cold became intense. In the main street at the corner of the court, some labourers were repairing the gas-pipes, and had lighted a great fire in a brazier, round which a party of ragged men and boys were gathered: warming their hands and winking their eyes before the blaze in rapture. The water-plug being left in solitude, its overflowing sullenly congealed, and turned to misanthropic ice. The brightness of the shops where holly sprigs and berries crackled in the lamp heat of the windows, made pale faces ruddy as they passed. Poulterers’ and grocers’ trades became a splendid joke; a glorious pageant, with which it was next to impossible to believe that such dull principles as bargain and sale had anything to do. The Lord Mayor, in the stronghold of the mighty Mansion House, gave orders to his fifty cooks and butlers to keep Christmas as a Lord Mayor’s household should; and even the little tailor, whom he had fined five shillings on the previous Monday for being drunk and bloodthirsty in the streets, stirred up to-morrow’s pudding in his garret, while his lean wife and the baby sallied out to buy the beef.
Foggier yet, and colder! Piercing, searching, biting cold. If the good Saint Dunstan had but nipped the Evil Spirit’s nose with a touch of such weather as that, instead of using his familiar weapons, then indeed he would have roared to lusty purpose. The owner of one scant young nose, gnawed and mumbled by the hungry cold as bones are gnawed by dogs, stooped down at Scrooge’s keyhole to regale him with a Christmas carol: but at the first sound of