...fly away on my zephyr...

The New Job: 6 Weeks In and Loving It!

Thu Dec 22, 2011 9:02 PM EST

Well, it has been 6 weeks since my fateful interview that lasted all of 10 minutes and ended with an on-the-spot offer. Hard to believe it's only been 6 weeks, to be honest. The 10 months out of work, applying and waiting, worrying and hoping, seem distant, from anoth …

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business, unemployment, working, lucky, bosses, new-job, paychecks

San Francisco's Minimum Wage: More Than A Hamilton In 2012: SFist

Seeded on Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:14 PM EST ()

Starting January 1st, 2012 wage earners in San Francisco will be making a minimum of $10.24 per hour.

business, minimum-wage, 10-23, highest-minimum-wage-in-usa

Woman Gets Jail For Food-Stamp Fraud; Wall Street Fraudsters Get Bailouts | Matt Taibbi | Rolling Stone

Seeded on Sun Nov 20, 2011 5:46 PM EST (Rolling Stone)

Since McLemore had four drug convictions in her past, she was ineligible to receive food stamps, so she lied about her past in order to feed her two children. The total "cost" of her fraud was $4,367. She has paid the money back.

politics, fraud, welfare, bailouts

Retail backlash over Thanksgiving night openings

Seeded on Sat Nov 19, 2011 4:16 PM EST (The San Francisco Chronicle)

Target, Best Buy, Kohl's, Gap, Walmart, Toys R Us and Macy's are among the major retailers that plan to fling open their doors early this season. Some stores plan to open at 8 or 9 p.m.

business, retail, shopping, black-friday, employees

First Two Days in a Start-Up

Sat Nov 19, 2011 3:25 PM EST

What a whirlwind two days. Tuesday, I was hired at a start-up focusing on software for mobile retail applications, after a ten-minute interview. Wednesday was my official day to relax, to not need to look for a job. Took a long walk, cuddled with the kitties. Th …

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business, unemployment, job, employment, start-up, hired

At Long Last, Employment!

Tue Nov 15, 2011 8:37 PM EST

Finally. After 11 months of searching, worrying, personalizing cover letters, re-writing resumes, donning a suit for interviews, it is over, I have landed a job. With a small software company, in San Francisco, making what I made at my last position. It's a smal …

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job, employment, working, hooray

Tom Coburn: $30 Billion In Millionaires Aid Is 'Sheer Washington Stupidity'

Seeded on Mon Nov 14, 2011 3:19 PM EST (The Huffington Post)

WASHINGTON -- Millionaires are receiving billions in taxpayer-funded support every year that helps them pay for everything from child care to bad debts to boats and vacation homes, according to a report released Monday by Sen.

politics, rich, taxpayers, tom-coburn, million-dollars, welfare-for-rich

Natalie Hegedus, Mom, Kicked Out Of Courtroom For Breastfeeding

Seeded on Mon Nov 14, 2011 3:14 PM EST (The Huffington Post)

Writing on the community forum, BabyCenter, after the incident, Hegedus said she only brought her son to court in the first place because he had an ear infection. As they were waiting to be called, he got hungry -- and so naturally, she decided to feed him.

health, breast-feeding, breast-feeding-in-public

San Francisco Mayoral Race Uses Complex Rank Choice System

Seeded on Tue Nov 8, 2011 2:02 PM EST (The Huffington Post)

Yet Lee must have 50 percent-plus-one vote to take command of the city's spectacular beaux-arts seat of power. If he doesn't, the ranked-choice system kicks in. Voters are allowed to select up to three candidates for a single office.

politics, election, san-francisco, voting, run-off, mayoral-election, ranked-choice-voting, rcv

Michele Bachmann wants the unemployed to stop eating

Seeded on Mon Nov 7, 2011 3:36 PM EST (Examiner)

In a recent speech, Bachmann blamed the government for helping people and suggest that if you don't have a job, you should stop doing other things, like eating. Bachmann: “Our nation needs to stop doing for people what they can and should do for themselves,” ...Sel …

politics, food, unemployment, bachmann, no-eating

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Daylight Saving 2011: How Time Change Affects Our Health

Seeded on Mon Nov 7, 2011 12:27 PM EST (The Huffington Post)

Rosenberg said this is the "good news story" of daylight saving time -- the welcome counterpart to the hour of sleep we lose at the beginning of spring, which can take up to a week to adjust to and send those who are already sleep deprived over the threshold of "crashing and bu …

health, winter, sleep, fall, sunlight, sleep-deprivation, daylight-savings-time, standard-time

Sandwich Arrest At Safeway Stirs Debate: Is It OK to Eat Food in Store Before Paying?

Seeded on Mon Nov 7, 2011 11:13 AM EST (The Huffington Post)

The highly-publicized story of a pregnant Honolulu mom who was arrested last week with her husband after she ate a sandwich in a Safeway store and forgot to pay, leading to the couple's 2-year-old daughter being taken away by Child Welfare Services, has sparked a national debat …

business, theft, safeway, grocery-shopping, eating-before-buying

Deadbeat Dad Joe Walsh Receives 'Family Values' Recognition | Addicting Info

Seeded on Fri Nov 4, 2011 1:22 PM EDT ()

“We thank Cong. Walsh who has voted consistently to defend faith, family and freedom,” said FRCA President Tony Perkins. “Cong.

politics, child-support, family-values, family-research-council, joe-walsh, frca

Joe Arpaio, Arizona Sheriff, Calls On Obama To Release Birth Certificate Microfiche

Seeded on Thu Nov 3, 2011 11:58 AM EDT (The Huffington Post)

Despite that evidence, Arpaio wants to see the microfiche of Obama's birth certificate. He claims that the birth of a pair of twins one day after Obama in the same hospital can be seen on microfiche filed with the Hawaii Department of Health.

politics, obama, birthers, birth-certificate, arpaio, microfiche

Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Charges: Third Ex-Employee Comes Forward About Candidate's Behavior

Seeded on Wed Nov 2, 2011 6:20 PM EDT (The Huffington Post)

Separately, Chris Wilson, a former NRA staffer, told Oklahoma radio station KTOK that he witnessed Cain sexually harassing a woman at Virginia restaurant in the late 90s.

politics

Rand Paul On Cain Scandal: It's Getting To Where You Can't Joke With Women Anymore | Election 2012

Seeded on Tue Nov 1, 2011 7:20 PM EDT (Talking Points Memo)

“There are people now who hesitate to tell a joke to a woman in the workplace, any kind of joke, because it could be interpreted incorrectly,” he told the National Review. “I don’t.

politics, herman-cain, rand-paul, harassment

Exclusive: Two women accused Herman Cain of inappropriate behavior -

Seeded on Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:45 PM EDT (Politico)

During Herman Cain’s tenure as the head of the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s, at least two female employees complained to colleagues and senior association officials about inappropriate behavior by Cain, ultimately leaving their jobs at the trade group, mul …

politics

Joe The Plumber: Fan Of Herman Cain, Not Of 'Anarchists' And 'Communists' In Occupy Movement

Seeded on Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:05 PM EDT (The Huffington Post)

In his interview, Wurzelbacher was asked his pick of the GOP primary litter. "I like Herman right now," he responded. Wurzelbacher also gave a very cautious assessment of Occupy Wall Street, saying that he understood the frustrations of some of the demonstrators, but that he …

politics

A guide to Obama's student loan plan

Seeded on Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:01 PM EDT (The Boston Globe)

: Obama will accelerate a law passed by Congress last year that lowers the maximum required payment on student loans from 15 percent of discretionary income annually to 10 percent for eligible borrowers. It goes into effect next year, instead of 2014.

politics, obama, college, debt, student-loan

Ron Paul Wants To Abolish Federal Student Loans

Seeded on Sun Oct 23, 2011 4:21 PM EDT ()

The problem with Paul’s argument is that the only reason why the federal government offers student loans in the first place is because private loans are more expensive to pay back in the long run because interest rates are usually higher.

Clay principal's memo says First Amendment meant only for Christians

Seeded on Sat Oct 22, 2011 2:13 PM EDT (The Jacksonville Times-Union)

“Pastor Steven Andrew states: 'Our children need God back in schools,’ and he is calling Christians nationwide to bring back the Holy Bible and Christian prayer to schools,” the memo said.

politics, christianity, first-amendment, equality, prayer-in-schools

Jan Brewer's Lawsuit Against Obama Administration Over Border Policies Dismissed By Judge

Seeded on Fri Oct 21, 2011 7:51 PM EDT (The Huffington Post)

Bolton said Brewer's claim that Washington has failed to protect Arizona from an "invasion" of illegal immigrants was a political question that isn't appropriate for the court to decide. The judge also barred some of Brewer's claims because the issues were dealt with in a 1994 …

politics, immigration, lawsuit, arizona, obama-administration, jan-brewer

Marco Rubio's Parents Were Just Normal, Boring Immigrants

Seeded on Fri Oct 21, 2011 12:45 PM EDT (New York Magazine)

But a review of documents — including naturalization papers and other official records — reveals that Rubio’s dramatic account of his family saga embellishes the facts.

politics, cuba, immigrants, castro, marco-rubio

49% Of Republicans Don't Know What The Abbreviation GOP Means

Seeded on Mon Oct 3, 2011 4:16 PM EDT ()

The latest Vanity Fair/CBS News poll asked Americans what the abbreviation GOP means, and 49% of Republicans got it wrong. The poll asked, what does the abbreviation GOP stand for? Only 45% of Americans correctly identified it as the Grand Old Party.

politics, republicans, gop, grand-old-party

Castro Street Controversy: What About the Children?! (POLL)

Fri Sep 30, 2011 4:09 PM EDT

I've been following a shop on Castro Street in San Francisco though Facebook. It's a place I enjoy shopping for gifts, silly little things. I don't live near (near being rather relative in such a compact city) the Castro, so I don't get out to the neighborhood often. …

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travel, children, san-francisco, castro, offensive, outrageous, castro-street

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Comments & Feedback

Just stopped by to say hi... Haven't seen you for a while... Hope all is going well. :)
— McSpocky

jonesgirl. im a moderate but sorry im looking more at the republican field at this time. obama is not what i thought he would be personally i really believe he doesnt know what hes doing and to tell you the truth i havent seen a good politician since reagan my 1st presidential vote at 18 . i have visisted san francisco beautiful city my cousin michael and hes partner ken lived their they most recently moved back to boston going to visit in the back bay this saturday cant wait oh u have two cats thats awesome love animals have two dogs of my own lab and coon hound which just recently saved from being killed in georgia they had him shipped up here to us most loving dog i ever had and a couch potato at that well u have a great day will talk to u later u seem like a pretty nice person someone with common sense.
— fatnat-2056502

I was right... your awesome.
— Hallen94

It's great watching you "hand someone their hat", while asking "what's their hurry" Excellent commenting. Twice this week I have seen you reduce posters to single word comebacks and fade off the thread. great Job! Very entertaining.
— mochabeans

I hope you don't think me too forward or inappropriate as it is not my intent to suggest who you choose to write comments to, but I wanted to share something my grandma use to say and I find it really works...if you really want to make someone angry...ignore their existence. When they learn you do not find them worthy of a response, it removes all validation of their credibility. There are a lot of people here who really need to be silenced. Just a thought, ;-)
— JEN-357892

holy crow.. the lionel richie flyer picture is flippin hilarious!
— Hallen94

Hi, I don't shop at ASDA (Walmart in UK) either. Lke your style too. hope you accept FR.
Jojo.
— Jo.ex royal.navy

You put some very interesting comments out! I am new, and might need a friend. Hope you accept my request for friendship.
— Roy Brown

Thank you for accepting the FR. I hope we will be good friends.
— Si Barden

I really like what you put up. I have asked for a FR. I hope you will accept.
— Si Barden

Er, sorry. I thought my comments would show up next to the other Velveeta posts....
— Shannoscubie

If you put chunks of Velveeta in a bowl with unscrambled eggs overnight it dissolves about halfway. I wasn't sure what either the remaining solid OR liquefied parts were but I mixed it with the eggs, cooked and ate them anyway. Is that still bad if a) I'm not the one who brought the Velveeta into the house in the first place and I only used it to avoid the sin of throwing food ("food"?) away and if b) I promise never to allow it into my house again?
— Shannoscubie

Your points are always poignant, clever, and devastatingly crass. I dig that.
— Joseph.

A Happy Progressive New Year!!
http://illuminate.newsvine.com/_news/2010/12/28/5726230-twas-the-night-before-congress
— McSpocky

I don't see your comments very often any more. :(
— McSpocky

I just wanted to thank you for all the commenting on my extended unemployment benefits thread. You are awesome, I wish there were more like you.
— McSpocky

You have insight and courage to stand up for your opinions.
— chasencash

TJG,
I Love your BP pic!!! It is so right on with what is going on right now!
— USA4Him

Your comments... great.
Your seeds... great.
This comment "annoy a conservative--THINK and use your brain"
PRICELESS! LOL
— McSpocky

Great comments and seeds... I just love some of your comments!
I started two new groups that I would like to invite you to join, if you are interested,
http://antidiscrimination.newsvine.com/
http://begreener.newsvine.com/
Take care!
— McSpocky

Hi Jonesgirl

I've just written and article and I think it's pretty good. I'm trying to get some support to get it publicized onto Newsvine. I would like your comments as well.

Title: Say what you want, Obama is a fighter

Thank you in advance for any comments (Oh, and please take the poll)
— B.L. Frazer (NYC)

Show your solidarity with Eric! Join this Group:

http://vivalaalbert.newsvine.com/
— Adrian Thorn

Wanted to tell you how well you defended yourself with the "veterans". Friend request?
— Lola-Ohio

Thanks for making it entertaining here. You're sharp!
— amalthra

Thanks for the support in the CD 23 seed..and my response to Bill Harrison...
I went to his page..all I can say is WOW.

Thanks for the sanity..
— Sassy79

/www.forextv.com/Forex/News/ShowStory.jsp?seq=1116308&category=Political+News

Owens wins. Palin and teabaggers repudiated! Thanks for the additional House seat in what should have been an easy GOP win. Extremists screwed the GOP, hahahahahaha!
>

I read your post late last night (11/3/09) and it made me laugh. Keep up the good posts. I was having a very stressful day and you brought a smile to my face.
— Left Coast

Hello I want to make sure you to know that I did like your response to my my article about McCain. I don't know how my response to I am America attached to your response to my blog.
— KEEPING IT REAL!

You have a great sense of humor and style. Please keep up the great work.
— Spectator99

Do to fire wall and anti-virus I can't post to the vine during the day. I would like to respond to your comment "By that token, we shouldn't have trusted Bush because of his admin's labeling of dissenters as unpatriotic and the like."

BINGO!

Nor should you trust the next president who's supporters label dissenters as unpatriotic etc...
— Bill K. NY