So, in conclusion, be inspired, take life by the... well, whatever you prefer and step it up a notch. Or take it to a whole new, exciting level! No one can hold you back but yourself. Don't be your own arch Nemesis! I leave you with the quote written on the shoe pictured above, "If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one."
Make This a Chapter in My Book...
Growing up, everytime I had a good, philosphical thought, I'd shout "Make this a chapter in my book!" Well, it certainly is not a book, but it's close enough.
I've decided to document via blog all the random concepts I've come up with over the years. Having turned 21 not more than two weeks ago, I'm pretty much ready to take on the world - blog style. I really tried to fit in to the "my boyfriend dumped me, and I got a great deal on this plus I just sewed an entire wardrobe" world of blogging, but that didn't go over too well.
These posts are loaded with random (sometimes useless) facts that you can hopefully gather inspiration from! ...or atleast, a conversation starter or two. Give it a read, so that you won't be tempted to judge the "proverbial" book by its cover... or in this case, the "proverbial" blog by its URL.
So, in conclusion, be inspired, take life by the... well, whatever you prefer and step it up a notch. Or take it to a whole new, exciting level! No one can hold you back but yourself. Don't be your own arch Nemesis! I leave you with the quote written on the shoe pictured above, "If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one."
- I would much rather go home and watch "Cake Boss" and "Say Yes to the Dress" than go out on a date.
- My most favorite food ever in the whole wide world is Gushers fruit snacks.
- I have absolutely no desire to get married... and don't see that changing in the near future.
- I can't remember a weekend that I didnt go to the mall at least once.
- The thought of having children makes my skin crawl.
- I am not a party girl.
- Whenever I change something about my appearance, it's almost always to get back at an ex.
- I screen every phone call.
- I'm obsessed with keeping my hands clean.... it's weird.
- Driving my car makes me legitimately happy.
Guess it goes to show you can't judge a book by it's movie! What are some random things about you??? Cummon' now, I know we all aren't 100% face value :) mysteries keep life interesting ;)
All I really wanted for Christmas was a set of rims for my 350Z. For non-car people, it's nothing more then the wheels AND the tires.
Now in order to pick out wheels that look best on your car you have to consider a few different things:
- The look you are going for. (don't compromise... it's your car and you'll be the one stuck looking at it)
- The size. (Most manufacturers make wheel between 16" - 20" .... we are talking sports cars, not hummers and escalades)
- The color/what they are made of. (three main colors include: Flat black, Chrome, and Brushed Silver... you may find wheels that are a mix of any two above)
- The offset. (I don't know much about this, but a good offset will leave the tires right in line with the chassis... it looks sharp.)
- The Manufacturer. There are good manufacturers whose wheels have great reuptations just as there are not so good manufacturers. Best bet is to check reviews and blogs to see which is which.
- The price. Oh dear... the price is what gets ya every time. Good looking wheels = not cheap.
What I want:
- The look I'm going for: Streamline Spokes (preferrably 7 or more)
- The size: 19"
- The color/what they are made of: Chrome or Gunmetal Alloy
- The offset: Yeah, I've got no clue. But that's what friends are for!
- The Manufacturer: HRE, Axis, Volk, Racing Hart.... the list is endless.
- The price: 2K or less including tires and shipping. (yeah, I have a feeling I'll exceed this)
So, after nearly weeks of searching, I think I've finally found the ones. (Why do I feel like I'm on a warped version of "Say Yes To the Dress"??)
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/8172/rcjiminez19obphotout1.jpg
BUT... i haven't bought them yet.... i know, I'm like that annoying girlfriend who won't commit. SO before i take the plunge into the proverbial "marriage" of my car and these wheels, what are your thoughts? Even if you know nothing about car/wheels/rims/offsets... lol your personal opinion on the look would mean much to me!!!
That's it! Off to nom on some more cupcakes!!!
My mom, bless her fad-loving soul, has come across those shoes that give you tighter buns, longer legs, and also cook your Christmas turkey while you wear them. Ok ok, I'm exaggerating about that last point, but still. I remain unconvinced when items advertise themselves as being the "cure-all" to every weight problem known to man. Not to mention, these beasts are U-GLAY... and by ugly I mean "give-crocs-some-competition" ugly. Yes, I said it.
So, I bought her a pair of.... those. The shoe lover inside me died a little bit that day. Also bought her a 10 mega pixel camera since hers was only 5.0 mega pixels.... yeah, 5.0. Pretty sure I wasn't born yet.
Next, daddy dearest. I really REALLY try hard to out-do the typical "tie" or "gift card" gift that people typically buy their fathers, but I defaulted to the gift card. *sighs* He is just one HARD person to buy for! Great gift idea - FAIL. Don't worry though, I ordered some cologne and aftershave from Banana Republic... may he never know the great deal I got on it from EBAY.
The older sister - Ash. This is her first Christmas as a newly wed, and, as a newly wed, apparently she didn't' get the "budget" memo. So now her hubs has put her on a very strict cash-only buying budget. Since we share the same shoe loving gene, I decided to buy her a gorgeous pair of BCBG heels with an adorable flower on top. Perfect, right? The day after I bought the shoes, in she walks.... with the SAME pair of shoes I'd just bought her, but in black. I'm pretty sure there needs to be a "No buying yourself gifts for the month of December" clause.... I'll take it up with Hallmark later.
Older sister's Hubs - Jer. Now if you remember my post from Chapter 6 you'll totally understand the reason behind this gift: The Bro Code.
The younger sister - Sum. She is S.P.O.I.L.E.D. but for some reason, I just can't help but to buy her more! The one thing she wanted this year? Juicy Couture bracelet. Now, the idea behind this bracelet isn't the bracelet itself, but the Couture charms you put on it. Adorable, yes. Expensive, yes times 2.
Grandmother. She loves this Susan Boyle chick. Apparently she's some off-beat British singer who has literally taken America by storm. I can see it now- the ultimate sing-off: Lady Gaga versus Susan Boyle. A fight to the death.... well, not literally, but Lady Gaga would probably take it literally now that I think about it.
I think that basically wraps up my Christmas gift list (pun totally intended). I'd say I pulled it off quite nicely this year, no? I guess tomorrow will be judgment day.
In conclusion (haha this is how I end every college paper I've ever written), I'd like to present (sheesh! I've got it going on with the puns today!) you with the idea that Christmas is actually all about the gifts. The joy of giving them, I mean ;) Have the most WONDERFUL Christmas and I'm looking forward to 2010!!!
Now to be fair, I must put a disclaimer on this post ***disclaimer: I came (past tense on purpose) from a very strict home....***
So, it all started long before the date it all took place. Confused? Me too. My evil twin sister... which I will refer to endearingly as "e.t.s." (evil twin sister)... and I had been off at a college in South Carolina. I truly studied my ass off there and managed to pull a 3.7 GPA. She, however, had spent most of her time making an account on a website called "hotornot.com" ... yeah, you read that right - hot or not.
The idea behind Hot or Not.com is this: you upload 1-3 pics of yourself and thousands of people rate you on a scale of 1-10 (1 being puke-faced ugly and 10 being extraordinary gifted with photoshop). Another aspect of the site was their "Meet Me" tab in which you could start up conversations with the dudes/chicks you thought were... well, hot. It's pretty much E-Harmony's whore-ish cousin no one ever invites to the family reunions.
So here I am studying to death and there the e.t.s. is... chatting with men online. Either way, apparently she'd found one she liked. When we got back to VA, they started secretly redevousing. Sketch-beyond-all-reasons. This secretive love affair continued on for about 3 more months. I told her I wanted no part in it but I did keep tabs on the situation - sisters look after their own, ya know.
Then one day I get a phone call. Dad asking me what I would do if I ran away.... "Um... dad. Really?"
Dad: "Yeah, well, your sister took a car and disappeared.... I wondered if you would know where she went?"
*My face drops*
Me: "Um. Ok, there's something I need to tell you."
And there I was, telling my father that the kid he'd given the world to had just stolen a car, drained her savings account, and run off to the middle-of-nowhere to marry a bum she met online.
Yeah, we got the police involved, but since she was 19 at the time, there was nothing anyone could do. I watched my parent crying and begging her to come back... they said they'd do anything. And yet, no. No, she didn't want them. She wanted what she wanted and could care less about everyone or anything else ... this is the part that bothered me the most.
That all took place in August of '07.
...Flash forward to present day. The e.t.s. is expecting a child in February and can't make her rent payment this month. She and her husband had to co-sign for each other's brand new cars because the bank wouldn't loan them the money due to his terrible credit history. They live in second rate housing and make little income between the two of them, but both refuse to get rid of their expensive animals which add an extra $300 to the rental fee along with their dish tv - another $300.
From what I hear, they regularly hit up my relatives for money and gifts... and it just so happens that right now, as I type, she's having her "christmas" with my parents less then 5 minutes away from my office. Ugh.
/end rant. I'm going for a long drive.
I PROMISE I'll post something more cheerful tomorrow!!! LOL Sorry guys :)
Have you ever heard of the 6 Degrees of Separation? Let me explain: someone has determined that through a string of six different people, we are all connected to everyone. Confused yet? Think of it as the epitome of "I know a friend who knows a guy who knows Bradd Pitt."
Here's the jist of it... "Six degrees of separation (also referred to as the "Human Web") refers to the idea that, if a person is one step away from each person they know and two steps away from each person who is known by one of the people they know, then everyone is at most six steps away from any other person on Earth." It was adapted from an idea presented in a play:
John Guare's Six Degrees of Separation...
Main articles: Six Degrees of Separation (play) and Six Degrees of Separation (film)
American playwright, John Guare, wrote a play in 1990, and later released a film in 1993 that popularized it. It is Guare's most widely-known work.
The play ruminates upon the idea that any two individuals are connected by at most five others. As one of the characters states,
"I read somewhere that everybody on this planet is separated by only six other people. Six degrees of separation between us and everyone else on this planet. The President of the United States, a gondolier in Venice, just fill in the names. I find it A) extremely comforting that we're so close, and B) like
So in essence, it's all about making the right connections! Here's an example that affects you, my self proclaimed "blog friends" :D
.... and that, blog friends, is my food for thought!
How in the world did picking out a profile picture get so freaking intense?! I feel like my entire future depends on this little tiny facebook pic. Pressure, right?! I was all into these 'artsy fartsy' profile pictures until my sisters acted like I had the plague. Ugh. And since I'm not the epitome of photogenetic... it get's harder and harder to post up that McCheesy smile!
Ok, so I'll have to confess that I've probably been on one or more dates with guys I've met over facebook (not as sketchy as it sounds... I knew a friend who knew them who introduced us via the social networking site).... so yeah, maybe your profile picture is somewhat important after all?
BUT, don't even get me started on the old people on facebook these days! I'm having to "unfriend" old men who were friends with my father back in the day - HOW WEIRD! If you didnt' know, Facebook's highest percentage of users range between the ages of 35-54. Um, 54? Really?
I leave you with some statistics.... and yes, I've totally gotten off my "profile pic" topic, but guys... seriously... stats taken from strategylabs. I've inserted my own thoughts in orange...
- The 35-54 year old demo is growing fastest, with a 276.4% growth rate in over the approximate 6 months since we last produced this report. OMG MOM AND DAD... get OFF facebook!
- The 55+ demo is not far behind with a 194.3% growth rate Grandma and Granpda.... that means you too
- The 25-34 year population on Facebook is doubling every 6 months Facebook has officially ruined the "high school reunion"
- For those interested in advertising on Facebook, there are 27,912,480 users 21+, representing 66.3% of all users Not a bad marketing strategy however....
- Miami is the fastest growing metropolitan area (88.5%) and Atlanta (6.4%) is the slowest Lol... random fact. Country vs. City maybe?
- There are more females (55.7%) than males (42.2%) on Facebook – 2.2% are of unknown gender. The odds are never in my favor...
- The largest demographic concentration remains the college crowd of 18-24 year olds (40.8%) which is down from (53.8%) six months ago. Twitter.... where all the cool kids are.
Take away? Parents (and herein lies the problem) and professionals are rapidly adopting Facebook. Should a marketer be concerned about this shift if they’re focused on youth marketing?"
It started early last week when some man in an oversize truck started waving at me, then proceeded to tail me, and followed-up with attempting to motion for me to follow him.
Um. How about no.
Fortunately, I've got 300 ponies under the hood of a sports car weighing less than a Smart_Car (ok not really... but you get the idea) so it wasn't hard to evade the creeper.
This isn't the first time a band of creepy older men have approached me in some way/shape/form either... benefits of living right outside the Capital of the USA, I suppose. So I made up my mind...
Got my conceal carry permit for the state of Virginia last week. Now now, I know what you're thinking - "Heather, violence is not the answer." And I'd agree with you! But I seriously doubt that potentially creepy man lurking by my car in the parking lot follows our same train of thought...
So sometime over the winter break, I plan to get a pistol or semi-automatic and just have it around for safe keeping. No worries about not knowing how to use it either, because I've gotten numerous offers from people willing to take me out to the local range for some target practice.
Scary? Yes. Necessary? I think so at least. Would hate to be that article in the newspaper that causes all the people reading it to just *sigh* and say "Well, it was too bad she didn't have some way to protect herself from him..."
Women and men both, I think it's a great idea... when used the right way for the right reasons. Like they always say, "It's not guns that kill people, it's people that kill people."
Weird post, I know... must be 'cause it's humpday. :P meh.
Of course, you got those ebay "low-ballers" who offer you $10 dollars for the purse if you take away shipping and handling.... Um, how 'bout no?
As the bidding came to an end, I look to see the total selling price (including shipping) and you all will not believe it...
$89.00!!
Yes, this officially makes me queen of the internets. Like is said before, you guys. Ebay is a gold mine just waiting to be bidded on! My challenge to you: Take something that's worth meh... not much to you, list it, and see what you get for it. Then, post up the difference between what you thought it was worth and what it actually sold for... (Example: $25 (what i thought it was worth) - $89 (what it sold for) = $64 (profit gained))
PROFIT people, think PROFIT!
SO to put off the inevitable (studying German), I decided to see just how many stiletto/wedge high heels I actually had. Oh boy. It's bad, i tell you... BAD.
***For what you are about to see, please... PLEASE to do think of me as any less of a person. Or as a freak for that matter.***
I posted way back in the single digit Chapters about relationships, and how, once they end, you should attempt to learn as much as you can from the dissolved relationship instead of holding a grudge. Thereby, you turn a lose-lose situation into a win-lose situation. You win because you are now better off than before, and the partner loses because... well, he just does.
But... it is some kinda' hard to not hold a grudge!
Example 1:
- About a year ago (this week, in fact) I'd been set up with a guy. I know what you're thinking... set-up's usually turn out horribly, but to my surprise, this guy was actually really attractive, funny, and a marine. We hung out for a solid two months or so.... he always saying those "We could make this work" and "I like you soo much" phrases that i typically don't care for. Then BAM, dude outright disappears. Never called or texted or nothing. I'd invited him to my christmas party too... and he totally left me stag.... not without a few kurt text messages on my part however ;)
Example 2:
- I have an uncontrollable love for cars... i just can't help myself. about 6 months ago I pull into Starbucks. I'm walking to the door and this old man calls me over to "his" lamborghini. Of course, i couldn't resist and I asked for a look inside. Out of nowhere, the actual owner of the car, a young attractive persian guy, opens the door and lets me take a look-see. SHWEET HOTNESS... anyways, I say a few words then leave. 2 months later, I run into lamborghini guy at a traffic light... blah blah blah... invited him to a car show... and we kinda started "talking" and by that I mean seeing each other 1-2 times a week for a movie or dinner or coffee... etc. .... he always saying those "We could make this work" and "I like you soo much" phrases that i typically don't care for. Great, right? WRONG... dude had a business trip that was to last for 3 weeks... he drops out of sight for a solid 2 months. Never even wishes me happy birthday!
Back to my main point. This weekend I hit up a local car show, and won't you guess who was there? LAMBO guy in all his glory. "Oh Heather! It's been so long! We reeeally need to catch up! Hey, this week? Let's go shooting (yeah... I'll post about this "shooting" stuff soon)! Dinner maybe? Oh blah blah blah..."
On Sunday at church... I walk out of the bathroom (looking chic per usual) and there stands the MARINE in all his glory?! WTF... is this like "awkward-encounter weekend" and I missed the memo?? He smiles and squeaks out a "Hey... Heather." to wish I responded with an over-the-shoulder surprised "Um. Hey."
My question: Why won't these guys just LEAVE all the way? What's with this returning crap??! I am not a fan. Ugh
/rant.
"BREAKING NEWS: This just in...
In the wee hours of the morning on December 11, 2009, a young college student, H Miracle, was seen walking from her 350Z parked in the best parking spot on the fourth floor of her college's outside parking garage.
Witnesses say that the last time they saw Heather was while she was entering the elevator from fourth floor to first... but. she. never. made. it.
*camera switches to video clip of said elevator*
Heather accounted later on that the door to the elevator had closed abruptly leaving a lingering thought of panic in the back of her mind. This panic was soon heightened to a whole new level when the elevator came to a sudden halt suspending the cab and its contents between the first and second floors where it refused to move from that point.
Reporters at the sceen (ok... not really, but I'm being dramatic, rememebr?) reported that the college student had tried pressing every available button until the last alternative was the emergency call button to 911. Emergency services immediately contacted the local police department who, 15 agonizingly cold minutes later, finally managed to get the doors to unleash their hold of terror on their young stylish prisoner.
In a later police report (again... dramatic effect), it was said that upon exiting the tin coffin of death, Heather turned to the police men, smiled, and said "I think I'll take the stairs." ...
Stay tuned for our next report: Tiger Woods - 20 mistresses and counting!"
BAHAHAHA CAN YOU BELIEVE I GOT TRAPPED IN A FREAKING ELEVATOR!? I thought that stuff only happened in the movies!! Yeah, so I might've made it just a wee bit more dramatic than reality... but only a little. ;)
Moral of the Story: If you get stuck in elevators, request the emergency services send McGorgeous police men to your rescue.
As I'm driving down the road about a month ago, I notice a BMW Z4... meh, it's a pretty sexy car... for a girl or an older man who thought it was "hip" to drive. Sprawled all over the back is some "Fitness Trainer" ad... now, I'm certainly not a fan of defacing any car... let alone a sports car... even if it is an advertisement.
Traffic here in the 'burbs of the District is comparable to a mall's parking lot at Christmas time, so needless to say... we were probably cruising along at a speed of 5 - 10 miles per hour. Making great time, I know. The Z4 passes me, just as I looked over only to notice the. most. gorgeous. man. ever. Yeah, Elise, you certianly caught on to something with these "meathead" types.
Anyways... we play a quick game of "who can get farther along in traffic than the other person"... i really don't think I've come so close to hitting a car in my life.... McGorgeous drives like an idiot. And... as quickly as it had begun, it ended. I took my exit never to see McGorgeous again.... until today.
*que background music*
There he was, in all his glory, in my rear view. He pulls along side looking as sexy as ever! I laughed... because, I mean, he is just that good looking. And he laughed... probably because he thought I was 12. Darn it.
And once again as fate would have it, I ran the yellow light and he didn't make it through. FATE, why must you be so cruel?! .... I really should stop running yellow lights too.
But, this time I looked him up... and by "look him up" i mean, I could probably tell you more about this guy than his own mother. Amazing what the power of the internets is capable of these days!
I will leave you (girls) with this... a photo I stole off of one of his many social networking profiles. I know what you're going to think... "Yeah sure Heather, I can google 'sexy gorgeous men' and post up random-ass pics too!" But I do not lie... this pic is ACTUALLY him... my future husband. *coughs*
Yes, an e-mail detailing the dress-code for the Christmas party as business casual. Now, at most companies in the Washington D.C. area, this wouldn't be too traumatizing. People would just tone down their christmas party ball gowns to something a little more appropriate... ie, my adorable, pink, cocktail dress. But it just so happens, I work at the world's OLDEST government contracting firm where the old people wear their old Christmas sweaters... you know, the one's that have the 12 days of Christmas knitted across them completed with a light-up christmas tree and the 12 reign deer?? Yeah. Those ones.
Still upset by this recent turn of events. Who is this "bah-humbug" scrooge who changed the dress code this year any ways!? I'll tell you who... it's that old women with the 24 yr-old running collection of knitted Christmas sweaters, that's who!
Alas, since I may not be wearing the adorable dress with lacey tights and patent leather black stilettos and matching clutch, I might as well count the number of over-sized ugly Christmas sweaters I see running around the party. *sighs* Who knows, maybe I'll even be able to snap a few creeper pics for your enjoyment... it's the least I can do!
How Much Money You'd Save By Skipping Christmas
Katie Adams, 12.07.09, 04:17 PM EST
Skipping holidays could help shore up finances.
"...
Gifts
The single biggest category of Christmas spending is gifts. This year the
National Retail Federation projects that spending on gifts will drop only slightly, after a dramatic decrease of over 30% during the 2008 holiday season. Last year the average American spent the following:- Family members: $431
- Themselves: $119.82
- Friends: $94.52
- Miscellaneous: $43.50
- Co-workers: $26.70
- [Gifts] Total: $750.68
According to the annual Gallup poll on holiday spending, last year's spending on gifts was down from a high of $862 in 2005. So if you choose to forgo all the gift-giving, you'll pocket, on average, approximately $750.68.
Christmas Tree
Entrepreneurs began selling the ubiquitous Christmas tree commercially in the U.S. in 1850. Today, whether you choose to venture into one of the nation's 12,000 cut-your-own Christmas tree farms or pick up a pre-cut one at your local hardware store, a real tree will set you back approximately $41.50.
Cards and Postage
Despite the advent of eCards, sending handwritten cards by snail mail is a long-standing tradition that is not going to die quickly. The average American family spent $32.43 on cards and postage to mail Christmas notes in 2008.
Flowers
While spending on Christmas flowers doesn't come close to
Valentine's Day or Mother's Day, families still spend an average of $22.61 on holiday floral arrangements, poinsettias, etc.
Food and Candy
Christmas is a celebration, and celebrating in America requires food. However, the National Retail Federation found that Americans only cited spending $95.04 specifically on holiday food and candy in 2008. If that number sounds low to you, maybe the Information Resource Inc. holiday poll results reflect your spending--they reported that 94% of survey respondents plan on limiting their holiday food budget to $500 and 90% are planning on spending no more than $200 on holiday beer, wine and spirits.
Decorations
Decking the halls isn't free. On top of your Christmas tree cost, if you're like the average American, you're looking at spending in the neighborhood of $51.43 on tinsel, lights and ornaments.
Travel
Traveling to be with family and friends over the holidays can easily become the largest budget item for a family's holiday spending. According to a 2008 Maritz poll surveying Americans about their holiday travel plans and spending, respondents earning between $35,000–250,000 who chose to travel spent an average of $960.50.
Adding It Up
Choosing to pass on Christmas could save your family a pretty penny--just about $1,000 (if you weren't planning to travel) and nearly $2,000 if you normally travel but choose to stay at home this year.
Now that you've saved nearly $1,000, it's time to put that money to work. Here are some ideas for what you can do with your new savings:
--Open a high-yield checking account. Royal Bank of Missouri is offering new account holders a high-yield checking account paying an attractive 4.30% APY. Invest your $993.69 and if you meet their terms, including 10 point of sale debit transactions and at least one monthly automatic payment, you could wind up with $1,036.42--if you keep at least that initial amount invested.
--Invest in a CD. If you invested that money in a 12-month CD paying 2.10% APY through
--Start a high-yield savings account. By depositing that money in a savings account offering 2.25% APY with SFGI Direct, the online division of Summit Community Bank, you would have $1,016.05 this time next year.
--Pay down high-interest rate credit card debt. If you're not paying off your credit card balance in full each month using that $993.69 (or $1954.19) to at least pay it down--or preferably pay it off completely--will save you money on interest and be viewed favorably by your credit card company.
Katie Adams is a freelance writer for Investopedia."
... hahaha! Maybe Scrooge had it right all along? Just kidding! Enjoy the Holidays, don't mind the budget or the diet, and have yourselves a Merry little Christmas :)
Sold:
- I had this collection of old/new coach purses that I for sure wasn't going to use. Small purses just don't have enough room to accomodate all the randomness I keep in my bag. (Which begs the question... what do i keep in my bag?!). SO, I started auctioning them off on ebay. This is just a ball-parked estimate, but 7 purses later and I'm pretty sure I pulled in around $500! FOR STUFF I WASN'T GOING TO USE!
Bought:
- I recently purchased a 350Z silverstone with rare OEM chrome rims... (I bought the actual car from cars.com) Not only a weird color, but also weird rims. Anyways, I have this fetish of buying little versions of my cars, so I set off to find a mini Z to put on my office desk. EBAY to the RESCUE. And, not more than a foot from where I sit now, lies the exact replica of my Z, chrome rims and all... for a mere $18 bucks.
Sold:
- I've recently gotten swept up into the smart phone craze... so I convinced myself my life would no longer be complete without a blackberry. I had the LG Dare which had zero scratches on it (I'm a protector of all things electronic) so i threw that bad boy up on ebay. Total sales? $280 BUCKS! Which made me brake even for the purchase of my new BB Tour. And yeah, I'm cool now.
Bought:
- I've never told my ex-boyfriend this... but here goes. He bought be a really pricey $300 bulova watch (it was NOT cute... FML) so I figured I should return the favor. NOW, before i go off sounding like a cheap tight-wad, I usually paid for most dates since I was the only one with an actual job :P... So i wasn't about to spend another $300 bucks on a freaking watch! Where to turn?! EBAY... and i'll swear it's authentic... but an Emporio Armani Watch for $80 bucks?! Ok, so maybe it isn't authentic, but the Ex never figured that out ;) (PS... i'm planning to auction off that ugly watch he bought me too! whahaha)
I've actually bought/sold a ton on ebay! And just today, I've listed two more coach purses! I'll update you all in 7 days from now when the auction ends.... It's a GREAT IDEA for some extra christmas money!
Ebayers UNITE!
What has social networking done to us.... lol!
After almost two solid years of bleached blonde hair and five years of hair coloring experiments, I've finally returned to my natural brunette roots. OMG to say the least.
Can I just say "OMG Discount Retailers"!? It's like stealing name brand candy from a cheap baby! Pardon my sucky analogy...
The company Christmas party is coming up shortly and since I'm not even joking when I say I'll be the youngest one there, I must pull out all the stops.
I decided on this adorable silky deep-pink cocktail dress from the Limited. Pretty much should be every working girl's favorite store.
Because I'd rather not look like the company whore, I've decided to go with some sort of furry jacket with 3/4 sleeves. But problem is, I totally cannot wear that all night! Not to mention my legs are completely bare...
So i hit up marshalls... Bought some printed/fishnet tights for $5! ...as opposed to the typical $10. But hey, it's not like tights have expiration dates so hell yes i'll take that deal!
I also found these shoes (well, heels.... but is there really any other kind of shoe?!). Ok, so i cannot find a picture of "these shoes" but description: Lace on metallic orange-ish (?), peep toe, 3.5 in. Basically, i'm not sure if it's a match or if I'll just go with some plain black patent leather heels....
Finally, I'll need to find a wristlet that will hold more than a credit card. Common' people! We're women of the 21st century! We have BLACKBERRY'S we need to keep on us at all times!
Anyways, wish me luck :D
Regardless, here's the email correspondance including her ad that was somewhat misleading (I think.... but i could just be holding a grudge). Not to fear! Won't/haven't given up yet.... next is meeting with an agent friend of my father's who can hopefully point me in the right direction. Well, at least i hope he can point me in any direction, really.
- Craigslist Ad: (and for the record, yes... I think Craigslist is the epitome of sketchy) ... i added my own thoughts in [bold brackets] ;)
I am a commercial real estate agent who specializes in helping businesses find commercial space. I’m looking for a licensed assistant [just fyi, I'm about to sign up for classes] to work with my clients to lease and buy space, primarily in Alexandria and Arlington. You’ll get to impact commerce in these areas by helping to decide which new businesses will open. You'll be working with new businesses plus businesses that are expanding, opening new locations, or moving.
I'll provide all the clients and will teach you the ropes. You can work primarily from home, but we will meet clients in one of my offices (usually in Old Town or Arlington). This is a daytime position, so no evenings or weekends are required. If necessary, you can have Mondays off. Please note: this is a commission-based job, so it's crucial that you are able to pay your living expenses (or have a part-time job) while you're starting out. [Part time job - check. Living expenses - check.]
You must have a Virginia real estate license (or be getting it soon) [SEE! I saaaaid I'd be getting one soon!]. A D.C. real estate license is also nice but not required. Major real estate experience is not necessary, so newly licensed agents are welcome [coughs]. However, since the focus of my business is commercial, you must be willing to learn and specialize in commercial real estate. Image and excellent communication skills are key. You must present a sophisticated, modern, and put-together image while being able to relate to lots of different types of people. [not trying to brag, by I've gotten many-a-compliment on my appearance in my day...]
Either send me a resume or provide a description of your relevant skills, job history, and experience. Be sure to tell me about your interest in the retail industry and how you're active in local commerce. I look forward to hearing from you!"
- My Response:
I just finished reading your ad on craigslist with regards to an assistant position for a commercial real estate agent. The position described really interests me.
I am currently working part-time at G.D. in the IT/Finance department, but I would really like to focus more on commercial real estate. As stated in the ad, you would prefer someone with a part-time job so maybe this could work out nicely.
I currently do not have a real estates license, but I would certainly not be opposed to getting one as soon as possible. I am very willing to learn and would love to have an experienced someone to teach me the ropes.
Reply if you are interested in learning more about what I do, and maybe we could see where it goes from there.
Thanks for your time,
H Miracle"
...hey, I thought it coulda been a scam. Give me a break.
- Her Response to My Response:
Thanks for your email about the licensed commercial real estate assistant position. I am interested in finding out a little more about your background and interests.
Have you looked into any real estate licensing courses? For your Virginia license, you would be required to complete a 60-hour course then pass the state exam. How quickly would you be willing to do this?
Do you have any interest and/or experience in the retail sector?
How well do you know Arlington and Alexandria? How much time would you say you spend there, and do you keep up with new stores, restaurants, and general retail development in these areas?
Are you involved at all in local small business organizations, economic development groups, or chambers of commerce? This is a major source of my clients, so it would be very beneficial to have someone else on my team who can network with some of these groups (particularly in or near Arlington and Alexandria).
Let me know about the above items. Hopefully we can talk more this week or after Thanksgiving weekend.
Take care, and happy Thanksgiving!
Anne"
Holy - crap - load - of - questions! Anyways, here's my attempted response..... meh...
- My Attempt at a Response:
"Anne,
So sorry for the delay! It is great to hear back from you.
Now to answer some of your questions - Yes, I have looked into real estate licensing courses through Allied online educational classes. I’ve contacted a representative and the only remaining step it to pay for the actual course. To be honest, I am not very familiar with commercial real estate or how extensive the course may be, but I am a quick learner and I doubt a 60-hour class would take long to complete.
I am actually planning to meet with an agent who is a friend of my father either this week or next so that I can gather as much information as possible before signing up for the class. The meeting will hopefully better prepare me for the classes.
With regards to the retail sector, I have actually not had experience in things such as retail sales if that is what you are referring to. I am, however, always interested in that market.
I spend most of my time in Fairfax and McLean between classes and the part-time job at GDIT. My father actually owns a high-end Kitchen and Bath remodeling company and they have recently purchased a building in the Falls Church/Alexandria area. I occasionally help out with marketing for his company so I will definitely be spending more time out in those areas and as a result I hope to frequent many of the near-by venues.
Aside from connections via my father, I do not think I participate in any of the organizations listed; however, I enjoy any chance to network and attempt to do so as often as possible.
I hope I was able to answer as much of your questions as possible. I would certainly like to hear your feedback!
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving break!"
Hey, I thought it wasn't too bad!
- And Here's Anne's Response - lettin' me down nice 'n easy *sigh*
"Hi Heather,
I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for getting back to me about my questions. It sounds like you have a lot of interesting things going on and are quite busy!
I have been talking with a few people in the past week and am meeting with 2 candidates this week. They would be a better fit for my business right now because they have been active in the real estate market for a number of years. [Um.... so what happened to the "no experience required"!?] They are transitioning from the residential to the commercial sector but have had some experience with commercial transactions. They're looking to do real estate full-time and are already licensed in Virginia and the District, so they would be able to start doing licensed activities for my clients right away. While I am not at all opposed to training someone from the ground up, given the option of taking on an experienced agent, it would be more advantageous for me to work with someone who is licensed and more established in the field. [Bitch doesn't know what she's missin' ;) i kid, i kid.]
Do you want me to get back to you in case it doesn't work out with one of these candidates? [Um.] I know you're busy now and I don't want to waste your time, but I'm happy to keep in touch in case things change on my end. Let me know. [I thought she ended it well, and i'll more than likely keep in touch... who knows! I'm not one to burn bridges]
Thanks again for your email, and enjoy the rest of the week!
Anne"
So, I actually found this kind of embarrassing to post. I really do hate rejection, but I said I'd keep ya'll posted and here I am, keeping my word. I looked the chick up on Linkedin and take heart in knowing she's not even that cute.... lol. Let's hope this next guy has some enlightening information I may be able to pass on.
Either way, I really just need to sign up for the dumb real estate class! Daddy dearest is holding me back for whatever reason (reason probably has something to do with him wanted me to spend the rest of my life at the "great opportunity job" I do not enjoy). We shall see!
Goals:
- Meet with Commercial Agent.
- Sign up for Classes
- Take over World.
My Book
Why?
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Why you ask? Not sure. I've always wanted to write down the randomness I think of, and even more so I would love to see who agrees with me and the other alternatives to my ideas.
Because?
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Because you ask? Because I want to know what YOU think! Do you agree? Can you relate? Am I totally off the deep-end? Please, feel free to post your comments and opinions; and, who knows, maybe I'll feature them in the next blog post!
Past Thoughts
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2009
(30)
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December
(22)
- Chapter 29: "Ambitious"
- Chapter 28: You May Not Know
- Chapter 27: Wheels Wheels Wheels
- Chapter 26: We Wish You...
- Chapter 25: Gifts Check-list.... Check
- Chapter 24: The Evil Twin Sister
- Chapter 23: 6 Degrees of Separation
- Chapter 22: Let it Snow... um.
- Chapter 21: The Profile Picture Dilemma
- Chapter 20: "I've Got a Gun"
- Chapter 19: Ebay Makes Me Queen of the Internets
- Chapter 18: Shoe Fetish
- Chapter 17: The Art of Leaving
- Chapter 16: I Thought This Stuff Only Happened In ...
- Chapter 15: Creeper Confessions
- Chapter 14: Bah Humbug!
- Chapter 13: A Forbes Christmas
- Chapter 12: The Almighty Ebay
- Chapter 11: Why...
- Chapter 10: Back to my Roots
- Chapter 9: Discount Retailers - God's Gift to Man....
- Chapter 8: Meh...
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December
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