An Afternoon with John Dean

When John Dean steps to the podium for "An Afternoon with John Dean" hosted by the Escondido Democratic Club, he doesn't look like a California Democrat. His blazing orange tie and glowing complexion say Beverly Hills investment banker, not left coast liberal. Dean says he is an Independent, not Democrat or Republican. His books make clear, regardless of party affiliation, he is not among the Republican faithful.

Dean's most recent book Broken Government, How Republican Rule Destroyed the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches criticizes changes made to government's basic structure, changes that take power out of the hands of the people, instituting a reformed government controlled by the elite.

At the outset of his book, Dean gives readers this quote from Alexander Hamilton's Federalist No. 1:

It has frequently been remarked that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, by their conduct and example, to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force.

Americans' seeming acquiescence to the Republican power grab troubles Dean. He was incredulous at Democrats' failure to specifically address it during the 2004 presidential election. He even spoke with presidential campaign staff, asking why they didn't talk about it. The response was that people aren't interested in process issues.

"Process, while it may not be a very sexy word or thought, it is the name of the game in Washington," Dean tells the Escondido group. "If Democrats don't start raising process issues, we are in trouble."

The change Republicans have made is sweeping. "Cheney has swallowed the presidency, and he is accountable to nobody," he says.

In Chapter Two of Broken Government, "Second Branch, Broken and in Need of Repair," Dean elaborates on his concerns about Cheney, writing:

Dick Cheney's infatuation with Nixonian government has involved activities far more insidious than merely promoting unsound, inaccurate, and specious constitutional war powers arguments. He has also reinvigorated the efforts of conservative Republicans that began in the Reagan years to ignore, nullify, or simply violate the efforts by post-Watergate Congresses to check and balance the executive branch, and then to expand presidential powers far beyond those of even the imperial presidency.

Dean's concerns don't end with Republican efforts to make the presidency the predominant instrument of federal government. He emphasizes the erosion of our system of checks and balances through continued efforts to appoint fundamentalist judges.

"They have taken the non-political branch and made it political," Dean says. "The most activist courts we have had have been conservative courts."

In Chapter Three, "Third Branch: Toward the Breaking Point," he writes:

Republicans are not satisfied with a conservative [italics included] federal judiciary; they want a fundamentalist one, and they are frighteningly close to achieving that goal. The question raised in this chapter, as in the earlier chapters, is what should or should not be done, what will and will not work, and does anyone really care that Republicans are insisting on operating each of the three branches outside the precepts of the Constitution?

Dean doesn't abandon readers at an apocalyptic proposition of continued Republican rule. Instead, in Chapter Four, "Repairing Government: Restoring the Proper Processes," he proposes a solution. While it is not an instant fix, the solution is fairly simple, and fairly well summarized by the chapter's introductory quote:

"Democracy is like sex -- it works best when you participate." -- Anonymous (sign in store on East Nineteenth Street, Manhattan)

Dean's faith in people continues to be tested, but he hasn't lost hope. At the end of his presentation, when an audience member asks what can be done, Dean responds, "If you give people the information, then they can understand and can respond correctly."

*John Dean's book, Broken Government, How Republican Rule Destroyed the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches, is available in book and CD format at Barnes and Noble online.

**For a peek at the motivation behind current efforts to reallocate California's electoral college votes for the 2008 presidential campaign, see Dean's references to Tom DeLay's Texas redistricting scheme and its impact on the balance of political power in the state. pp. 34 & 48

***To learn more about the Escondido Democratic Club click here.

Give a Hoot. Don't Pollute.

Woodsy Owl must have missed a few kids on Saturday mornings.

Preview -- Political Post Discussing the Latest from John Dean

Swiftly educated in the cut-throat center of the Watergate controversy, John Dean took away lifelong lessons that have paved his path to becoming an influential author and activist. Tune in later this week for the rest of this special post.

*Postponed from Monday morning post to later this week due to mommy overtime with sick baby.

OU Texas Weekend

from Sunday:

Go Sooners! We won.



from Friday:

With any luck, this should sum up my weekend perfectly:



Click here to learn more about the Red River Shootout.

Knee Bone Connected to the Nose Bone

As we relaxed on the floor together before nap time yesterday, the youngest of my 17-month-old twins pointed to her knee and said, "Knee." Encouraged by my response, she pointed to her sister's knee and said, "Knee." Realizing she was on a roll, she pointed to her mouth and said "Mouth." Excited by her sense of accomplishment, she then proudly stuck her finger up her nose and said, "Nose."

*A repeat performance post.

Negotiating Salary, Start to Finish

*A repeat performance post from another of my blogs, Firm Advice.

Ever wonder if you're making what you're worth? Well, if you're wondering, you probably aren't making what your worth. One of the most important things I learned as a recruiter was that salaries vary greatly for practically identical positions based not only on skill but also on knowledge of the market and ability to negotiate.

Knowledge is power. It can make a huge difference. I once interviewed two gentlemen employed in nearly identical positions at equivalent organizations. Much to my surprise, one was making approximately $50,000 a year less!

He must have been less qualified, you might think. Perhaps his educational background wasn't as impressive or his work experience was less extensive. Sadly, no. The only significant difference between these two candidates I was interviewing for the same position was that one knew his worth and knew how to negotiate and the other did not.

The man making less wasn't aware he was being underpaid and didn't know how to ask for what he was worth. In order to ask for what you are worth, you must first know your worth.

The advent of the Internet has made salary information much more accessible. Where companies formerly shielded salaries as a closely guarded secret, smart companies today are more open in salary negotiations, faced with better informed prospective employees. Negotiating is another part of the interview process. Someone who is well-informed and negotiates to a win-win solution adds value to her worth before even beginning the new position.

Researching the salary range for your position is much like familiarizing yourself with an area by looking at a map. You can begin by using salary sites like Salary.com, SalaryExpert.com and PayScale.com. These will give you a bird's eye view, but not the detailed information you will need to skillfully negotiate your way to your destination. Using these sites alone for your salary research would be like trying to find your way around Los Angeles using a map of the United States of America. For a better view, using more than one source and more than one type of source, will help ensure your research is balanced and accurate.

Very detailed information, including salaries for certain titles at named companies in certain cities, is available from Vault.com, a leader in the area of targeted salary research. Although you have to pay to see these reports, the information is worth the small fee, if you are considering working for a large firm or corporation. If you are considering a position with a small firm in a small town, the information is not as relevant. To balance your view, turn to industry organizations and sites such as NALP.org, Law.com, and FindLaw's Infirmation.com.

Once you have done your initial research online, reality check what you have found by talking with a professional counterpart you trust in your geographic market. If you don't yet know anyone you feel you can ask, you can use a message board such as the one found on GreedyAssociates.com.

While salary information is more readily available for large firms, you can get a reliable look at compensation at medium to small firms in your area by relying more heavily on the last part of the process described above. Regardless of the size of your market, staying connected with colleagues is great way to not only enjoy the camaraderie of people with similar interests, but also continue to learn about your market. Having a friend with whom you can discuss important professional decisions can put you far ahead in evaluating whether a position offers the right opportunity for you.

When considering the information you find, keep in mind the many factors that impact salary, including but not limited to: 1) your salary in your current and previous positions; 2) geographic location; 3) cost of living; 4) size of firm; 5) areas of law in which the firm practices; 6) locations of the firm's other offices, if any; 7) prestige/name recognition of the firm; 8) hiring history; and 9) salary in relation to billable and non-billable hour requirements.

Be sure to continue your research until you reach a firm conclusion on the minimum and maximum compensation amounts you consider fair. Consider this your "comfort zone." Once you have identified your comfort zone, stick to it.

If you receive an offer significantly outside of your comfort zone, in either direction, be very cautious about going to work with the extending firm. While reaching a compensation agreement most often includes some amount of negotiation, an offer either unreasonably low or high can be an early indicator of serious problems right from the beginning.

Negotiation can be challenging, but if you keep a few basics in mind, the process can be a much more enjoyable and informative experience. With that in mind, the following tips can serve as a guide as you travel the sometimes treacherous, yet often rewarding, path of salary negotiation:

BEGIN WITH A WINNING STRATEGY

Collaborative Approach
When negotiating salary, a collaborative approach is most often the appropriate tack to take. While you may be tempted to adopt a more adversarial approach, it is important to remember that this negotiation is the beginning of what will hopefully be a long and productive union.

A collaborative approach is characterized by working together toward a win-win solution, one in which both parties walk away feeling they have gotten a fair deal. It's not just the end agreement that results in both sides feeling they have won, it's also the tactics you use to get there.

Be wary of overblown advice. "Don't tell them your current salary. It's not about your past. It's about how much the work in this position is worth." Statements like this are just plain wrong. It's not only wrong. It's so far off base it can turn an interview that was going well into one that totally destroys your chances of getting hired.

It is standard for an employer or recruiter to ask what you are making in your current position and you should be prepared to discuss it openly when they ask. Failing to answer directly only makes you appear evasive.

If you feel you are currently being underpaid, explain why and back your belief with facts. Be prepared to discuss whether or not you have asked for a raise, why or why not, and any response you received to such a request.

Open Exchange

One of the keys to win-win negotiating is the open exchange of information. This may include discussing your salary research in detail, especially if you find there seems to be a major discrepancy between your expectations and theirs.

For example, if you find that relocation expenses are not included and are not negotiable, don't just assume they are cheap. Discuss with them the fact that your research indicates that other similar companies (preferably their competitors) cover relocation for employees at this level. If they want more information, be specific, include the name of the company, title of the equivalent position and type and amount of relocation expenses covered. It may simply be they were not aware, or there may be another explanation.

Be open to listening to their explanation. They may make up for not covering relocation by offering bigger signing bonuses, for example. It's fairly common for smaller companies to not invest the personnel and expense necessary to calculate moving expenses, negotiate with moving companies and deal with real estate or corporate housing rentals. In such a situation, you can calculate your estimated expenses and negotiate the appropriate signing bonus to ensure your expenses are covered.

Your Comfort Zone

Establish a comfort zone for yourself. Know the bottom number you are willing to accept and the top number. These numbers should be based on the market value for the position you are being offered, your past pay and performance and the future for advancement in the position offered. Any offer you accept should be within your comfort zone.

If you are presented with an initial offer far below your comfort zone, think seriously about whether or not to invest your time negotiating with this company. An inappropriately low offer can indicate some serious problems that may be difficult to correct.

For example, the company may be out of touch with the market. If this is the case, it is likely that it would not only be difficult to negotiate a fair salary initially, but also difficult to negotiate raises in the future.

An inappropriately low offer can also indicate you are overqualified for the position, a situation which, if you accepted, could result not only in you being underpaid, but also low job satisfaction and an overall slowing of your career progression.

Unfortunately, an inappropriately low offer can also mean that an inexperienced hiring manager is simply trying to get the best deal he can, no holds barred. While this may seem excusable at first glance, it should make you think twice about his management style.

If you are presented with an initial offer far above your comfort zone, be cautious about accepting. While it may seem like a dream come true, it may be an important red flag.

Step back and consider other motivating factors.

If the company extending the offer trying to hinder a competing company by hiring you away? They may be paying more for the opportunity to hurt their competitor than for your skills, a fact that won't be helpful when it's time for a raise.

Are they engaged in a bidding war for your services? This most often comes into play with counter offers from an employer you are leaving. You should almost never accept an offer that comes in response to your decision to leave. If salary is the main motivator for leaving, you should have addressed it and ask for a raise before deciding to leave. If they were unwilling to give you the raise before you had a competing offer, what has changed? Did your skills suddenly improve overnight? Unlikely. The difference is that now they are forced to either give you the raise or have you walk out the door while they have no replacement. The sad fact is that even if you accept their offer, they can simply keep you on board until they hire someone to replace you (for less money) and then fire you.

Know when to walk away

In order to have leverage in salary negotiations, you must be willing to walk away. If you can't reach an agreement that is within your comfort zone despite your proposed solutions and theirs, you should walk away from the negotiating table and feel good about it. Know that it was not a personal slight against you or them, simply a business negotiation in which you could not reach an agreement. In the end your interests just did not match closely enough.


EVALUATING THE OFFER


Evaluating the Total Package

Compensation is more than just salary. The more your career advances the more complicated compensation negotiation becomes, as it includes more and more negotiable parts, such as profit sharing, stock options, and executive perks. At some point, it may be wise for you to enlist the help of a professional in negotiating compensation. If you are not yet at that point, you should act as your own compensation analyst.

Even jobs that appear to have relatively few components in the pay package can have a suboptimal component that results in pay not adding up as well as you initially thought. Health insurance is a prime example. A difference in health insurance can easily make a $5,000 to $10,000 difference in your effective compensation. When evaluating insurance, remember it is not only the premium you pay, but also the deductible and expenses covered that should be considered.

To be sure you are considering the big picture, you can use a spreadsheet like the one shown here on CareerJournal.com, the Wall Street Journal's Executive Career Site. You can use this or a similar spreadsheet as a dynamic tool to compare your current position, an offered position and your comfort zone.

(For more information on finding your comfort zone, see last week's article Researching Salary: How and Where to Look.)


TALKING THE TALK


Brokering the Deal

Take your time in evaluating any offer extended, remember you are brokering a deal that will impact every step in your career from here forward, so asking for a couple of days to evaluate at least the initial offer is standard.

Once you have used your spreadsheet to compare your current position, the offered position and your comfort zone, you should have some idea of adjustments you would like to make to the offer. Make some notes to use during your conversation and schedule a time to talk with the person extending the offer. Be sure to have your notes and spreadsheet available each time you talk. If the person calls you unexpectedly and you do not have your notes available, let him or her know you are not able to talk at the moment and ask if you can call them back.

Asking for More

When you do talk with them remember that good negotiation is good conversation. Statements and inquiries should be constructed to invite a favorable response and keep both parties involved. Begin your conversations by repeating your interest in the opportunity, and make use of questions and open-ended statements to keep discussions going.

For example, let's say they offer $140,000 base and you won't be happy with less than $150,000. (This assumes your research backs you up and you haven't already told them that you would accept something in the $140,000 range during the interview process.)

Instead of responding with, "I can't take 140." and ending the conversation there, try, "Considering the market, I was really hoping for 155." Then wait for a response. The most likely response is, "Let me see what I can do, and I'll get back to you."

Another possible response is "That's the best we can do on salary, but we may be able to make some adjustments elsewhere." Still you keep the conversation going and have opened the door to compromise.

A flat "That's the best we can do." is unlikely but possible. If you've responded as suggested above, you haven't turned down the $140,000 on the table and you can move on to negotiating other pieces of the deal such as annual bonus, deferred compensation, and signing bonus where you have the opportunity to make up for the $10,000 additional you had hoped to see in base salary.

Solving for the Solution

Be open to solutions. As well as presenting your own alternatives, be open to hearing theirs. If the negotiation is going well, proposed solutions should be flowing back and forth.

Remember that a potential employer hopes you will join the team as an asset. Show your worth up front by suggesting solutions. For example, offer to forgo the signing bonus for more base pay (Although you may not be able to get a one for one trade for this because base salary is a recurring expense, where a signing bonus is a one-time expense.)

View the situation form the hiring manager's shoes. If the manager has a budget for her division, your compensation likely comes out of that budget. Although there may not be money there for relocation, there may be money available for travel, allowing you to negotiate use of a hotel or corporate housing for a few months. Suggest some alternatives, repeat your interest in the position and continue to work together.

SEALING THE DEAL

Before finalizing the deal and giving notice at your old job, get the deal in writing and make sure the agreement is clear. Make sure all the details are included and unambiguous. Be especially cognizant of items such as bonus eligibility, amounts, and pay out dates and when you are first eligible for a performance review and raise. These can make a significant difference in your pay.

Whether or not you accept the position, maintain positive communication throughout and even after the negotiation. Consistently reinforce what you like about the company and your interest in it even if you do not accept their offer. There may be another opportunity in the future that may be a better match, or someone you have met during the process may recommend you for another position with a different company.

Tripping the Light Slacktastic While Breathing Fire

The old blog is looking kind of empty these days, few posts and even fewer meaty articles. For this I apologize. The twins and I are sick, sick, sick with the I-could-breathe-fire-and-sleep-in-a-bucket-of-ice crud. This is aligned, of course, with the exact moment in time at which Hub-A-Dub needs to work round the clock on a big project with a looming deadline. AND I have managed to align this with the start of new volunteer responsibilities plus my start of a class on writing, yes writing, real world style.

So, gather round friends. Once we wrap up that deadline and stop breathing fire, there should be new and interesting stories posted here soon.

Wacky Wednesday -- Sometimes They Really Should Come With A Warning Label

You can buy this tee and more at Rocket Ranger Productions.

Recipe Flashback

This recipe goes into my Blogger greatest hits file. It has attracted more traffic than any other single post. So with a nod of thanks, I'm reposting. Enjoy!
This simple recipe offers a nice alternative to candied sweet potatoes or french fries.

Ingredients:
Sweet Potatoes, cut in slices; Olive Oil; Salt; Ground Allspice

Instructions:
Place sweet potato slices in large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and add salt and allspice to taste. Mix ingredients until slices are evenly coated in olive oil and spices.

Spread in a single layer on aluminum foil lined baking pan. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 25 minutes.

* For an even sweeter treat, add a little cinnamon and sugar to the mix.

Political Roundup, Things to Watch, An Ongoing Post

Is Obama In or Out of the Healthcare Webcasts?

From TheHill.com
Nine candidates set for webcast health forums
By Jeffrey Young
September 20, 2007
Former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) will be the first of at least nine presidential candidates to participate in a series of webcast forums on healthcare reform co-sponsored by a liberal advocacy group and a hospital lobbying organization.

Obama doesn't seem to be included in the long list of participating candidates, yet.


An Easy Grader and A Spintastic Soothsayer

from TheHill.com
Bush gives himself an ‘A’ on tax policy
By Klaus Marre
September 20, 2007
President Bush Thursday awarded himself the top grade on cutting taxes and warned that a recession could hit the country if Democrats had their way and raised taxes.

Ah yes, a recession would be the Democrats' fault. "Turn your eyes away from the lax restrictions on subprime lenders," says the spinning soothsayer.

Friday Fun -- Total Momsense

By Anita Renfroe

Special acknowledgment to Laurie's Reflections for finding this little gem.

Mrs. Chicken's Party

Mrs. Chicken's got a new roost, and she's throwing a housewarming party. Stop by and have a look around.

Wacky Wednesday: Avast Mateys! It's International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

September 19, 2007 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day

From "Tomorrow you'll pay a buccaneer for corn?" by By Paul Majendie on Reuters.com Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:54pm EDT

LONDON (Reuters) - Put a parrot on your shoulder, strap on a peg leg, hit the rum and start bellowing "Shiver me Timbers" -- Wednesday is International Talk Like A Pirate Day.
. . .
Pirate fans around the world have rallied round, showing that surreal silliness is alive and well.
. . .
A bar in Venice, Italy is holding an olive stone-spitting contest for would-be buccaneers.
. . .
A Brazilian fan even sent a letter of support in a bottle while one overjoyed Argentinian whose birthday falls on the same day said "It will be difficult to talk in Spanish like pirates but we will try."

Sign me up for the olive-stone spitting contest in Venice. I would like to request Orlando Bloom as my partner. What do you mean he's not a real pirate?

Find yer How to Talk Like a Pirate guide here. Audio clips available in German, Swedish and Mandarin Chinese.

Luxury Looks for Less

I like a little luxury. Who doesn't? But let's not get crazy. I don't need $9 scented dish soap or $16 dryer sheets infused with essential oils. But jewelry from Tiffany's, perfume from Saks, and luxury bed linens? Yes, yes and yes!

A little luxury in the right places goes a long way. Lovely jewelry can dress up a mundane mommy outfit, intoxicating perfume plays out its own scenario in your mind, and striking bed linens set the mood when you enter a room.

The price of luxury can be steep, so when something luxurious tickles my fancy, but seems just a bit too much at the time, I keep my eyes open for less expensive alternatives. The October issue of Family Circle brought me a welcome surprise. I was thrilled to find this line of linens from Martha Stewart Everyday.

Because I love the crisp tailored look and high-thread-count feel of fine hotel bed linens, I have been mulling over these similar collections from Restoration Hardware and like styles from Pottery Barn for some time. While I am not a regular Kmart shopper, these linens from Martha Stewart Everyday are just the sort of item that might make me walk through their doors.

Weekend Political Feature: In Their Words, Iraq War Blogs

A roundup of commentary from soldiers and their spouses and Iraqi citizens:


Dragonfly, the blog of a personal friend whose husband is currently serving in Iraq. This post is particularly insightful. I admire the grace and strength with which she approaches life while her husband is at war.

She Who Waits from the loving wife of a marine serving another tour of duty in Iraq.

Intel Dump from Phillip Carter who served in the Army's 101st Airborne Division as an adviser to the Iraqi police in 2005 and 2006.

Great Baghdad, the blog of Al-Rasheed, a 33-year-old man living and working in Baghdad. In "The Federal State of Iraq" he supplies an analysis of what some politicians and pundits positively spin as federalism in Iraq.

My War
"Endlessly surprising…delightfully profane… an unfiltered, often ferocious expression of his boots-on-the-ground point-of-view of the Iraq war."
- Arianna Huffington

An American Soldier, in Still Alive, January 15, 2007, Rob offers a first-hand account of Al Qaeda's strong presence in Iraq.

Baghdad Burning a young Iraqi woman tells of her plight and that of her country.

365 and a Wakeup from soldier who returned home in 2006. Excellent photos from a soldier's viewpoint. Albums accessible from the right column. Links to United States Central Command and Military.com sites.


(Blogs of current soldiers and military spouses are subject to regulation under military code and therefore may be subjected to heightened scrutiny.)

Wacky Wednesday: Just When You Think No One Appreciates A Good Tantrum

I found this article in SeaCoastOnline praising an anonymous mom a refreshing read. It was a nice insight into what people might be thinking while observing those "category 4" toddler meltdowns.

When Our House Is Run by Toddlers, Coming Soon

We shall dine upon cake and juice for breakfast. The juice shall be served over crushed ice, full strength, much to pediatricians' dismay. In the event cake is not available, pancakes may be substituted provided they are of the "silver dollar" variety and are officially referred to as "hotcakeys."

For lunch, we shall feast upon corn dogs, cookies, and soda pop, fully caffeinated and fully sugared. In the event corndogs are not available, pancakes may be substituted provided they are of the "silver dollar" variety and are officially referred to as "hotcakeys."

At nap time, well, there will be no nap time, but during the time that used to be nap time, we will braid the dog's fur and color the insides of his ears with washable marker, while watching "The Wiggles Magical Adventure."

At snack time, we will have hotcakeys. No substitutions please.

For dinner, we will eat cheese and ice cream, with our hands. Participants are encouraged to style their hair using an ice cream pomade.

Following dinner and before bath, we will see who can make the best sticky hand prints on the television while watching our bedtime relaxation video, "The Wiggles Magical Adventure."

Baths will last one hour, accompanied by no fewer than fifteen bathtub toys. We will exit the bath and dry ourselves only after all bath water has drained and we have lain with our faces on the tub floor and flopped like fish for at least one minute. We shall dry ourselves exclusively with bright yellow towels adorned with duck feet on the corners and hoods with bills on top. While drying we shall quack like ducks and waddle around the bathroom wearing only a diaper.

We shall never ever, ever, ever put on pajamas without first making an obligatory three laps around the bathroom while dancing and singing, "Nakey! Nakey! Nakey! Nakey! Nakey!" Rump shaking and hand jiving are mandatory.

The official bedtime ritual shall consist of no fewer than three story readings, eight hugs, ten kisses, and five tuckings in. Then we shall sleep like babies.

Abercrombie's Analysis of Petraeus' Testimony And The Hunt Oil Deal In Iraq

Click here for Rep. Abercrombie's analysis of Petraeus' testimony and the Hunt oil deal in Iraq. (Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii)) A Hilltube Video.

Does the Move On Ad Nicknaming General Petraeus "General Betray Us" Go Too Far?

I think so. Do you?

View the ad here.

I may disagree with Petraeus' opinion or the manner in which he presents it, but I do not believe he intends to betray the American people or his troops. While the ad may have valid points to make, using such a harsh and obviously inaccurate moniker turns off viewers at the start making them unreceptive to the ad's main message.

I think it is an unfortunate misstep by MoveOn.

Easier Than Apple Pie: Easy Apple Cinnamon Bake Recipe

The beginning of school and football always put me in an autumn frame of mind, ready for fall foliage and apple pie, regardless of the temperature outside. If it is still too hot where you live to get excited about firing up the oven, this Easy Apple Cinnamon Bake recipe offers a simple solution. It takes less than ten minutes start to finish and fills the house with a wonderful aroma.

Ingredients:

1 large apple (Red Delicious or Fuji are ideal)
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon sugar
1 dash nutmeg (Remember nutmeg comes from the same plant as mace. It can be overpowering, so proceed with caution. Omit if serving to small children.)

Directions:

Slice apple into quarters, peel, and slice again into 1/4 inch or smaller slices. Place in microwaveable soup or cereal bowl. Mix in 1 Tablespoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon sugar, and dash of nutmeg until apple slices are evenly coated. Cook in microwave on high for approximately 3 minutes.

Hints:

A little apple juice may be added prior to cooking, if you prefer softer, sweeter baked apples. For a more rustic result, and quicker prep, bake with apple peel on.

Oprah and Obama: What Will Be the Impact?

Late yesterday, Oprah Winfrey hosted a political fundraiser at her home in Santa Barbara home, raising some three million dollars for Barack Obama. Obama is the first political candidate to receive such public support from Ms. Winfrey despite her long history in the public eye.

Could Oprah's support of Obama significantly impact the Democratic Presidential Primary? It could, but the degree to which it will depends upon the degree to which Oprah is willing to tie her image to Obama's politics and the Democratic party.

Undoubtedly, Oprah has demonstrated the ability to influence American pop culture and buying patterns. With her book club and "Oprah's Favorite Things", she has demonstrated influence arguably unrivaled by any single television personality. For all the influence she wields though, she has to an obvious extent avoided publicly endorsing any political candidate, until Obama.

People are taking notice of her interest in Obama and that will serve him well. While hosting a three million dollar fundraiser at her Santa Barbara home brings big money and an intimate personal touch, both trademarks of Ms. Winfrey's business sense, it is likely not enough to sway a major voting block.

Could Oprah have the sort of impact required to change the outcome of a presidential primary? Yes, but it would come from involvement more akin to the type we saw with Michael J. Fox's very public endorsement of candidates supporting stem cell research in 2006. Oprah certainly has the skill, the funds, and the wherewithal to be significant influence in the Democratic Presidential Primary and the 2008 Presidential Election, but whether she will remains to be seen.

* A cross-post from Political Popsicle/Political Pollyanna.

The Disney Princess Machine, Has It Gone Haywire?

Princesses are in. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel. Odds are if you have daughters, you see plenty of ads for these princesses and others. The list goes on: Pocahontas, Mulan, Snow White, Jasmine, Belle, and debuting soon, Disney's first black princess, Maddy. Old movies are new again, and new movies are being made featuring old movie princesses -- Cinderella III; Disney Princess Enchanted Tales; The Little Mermaid Platinum Edition; Princess Party Volume Two: The Ultimate Pajama Jam!; Disney Princess Stories Volume Two: Tales of Friendship; and more.

It is troubling to see this amount of marketing effort applied to animated characters directed toward youngsters, but it doesn't end there. When attention is turned to real life Disney teen stars, we see a Disney pop princess machine that seems to have gone awry. From Hillary Duff, to the Cheetah Girls, to Hanah Montana, to Ashley Tisdale, to Vanessa Hudgens. It is not enough to have these teenage girls to be TV stars or movie stars, they are promoted as pop stars too. Their television shows and ads for their movies are followed by videos featuring their next hit single. It is nonstop marketing.

Too often, the image of the girl seems to take a back seat to the desire to create a saleable pop sensation. One of the Vanessa Hudgens videos, in particular, seems so inappropriate that I change the channel or turn off the television if it comes on. Of course Disney should back Ms. Hudgens following her recent error in judgment.

The bigger question is: Is Disney pushing girls too far too fast, or growing their careers to quickly, to turn them into the next pop princess sensation? Of course parents and child performers make their own decisions, but as an expert in the industry and key decision maker, what role does Disney play?

Think Pink

Okay, so I don't drink coffee from a pink cup. yet. Only because I don't have one. But I would so very gladly vacuum my house with a pink vacuum. And if I could help beat breast cancer by doing so? Well, that would just rock. Check out the new PINK Dyson debuting at Target and the giveaway going on at ModMom.

Wacky Wednesday -- A Rough Sketch

I have started creating some of my own clip art (See "Happy Labor Day" and "Calling for a Cease Fire".) An artist I am not, but imagine my husband's surprise when I showed him the initial rough sketch below. Finally, it dawned on me that I should explain I drew her arms and extra shoes separately because these are not my forte and if drawn separately I can edit and attach them later in Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Before the explanation I can only imagine what he must have thought.

Calling for a Cease Fire

My grandmother used to tell me, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." While I do think a certain amount of critical discourse is necessary to sort out life, love and politics, I think the rule my grandmother taught me is just perfect when it comes to judging other mothers' decisions about raising their children.

Others though, many others, seem to feel an incessant need to dole out unsolicited constructive criticism to mothers. (See "Mommy Wars Suck" at Pundit Mom.) Maybe they feel they have all the answers for raising perfect children, or at least know more than the moms they criticize. Maybe they think their advice is the only thing that provides a glimmer of hope for all of us against the otherwise certain destiny of being doomed to live in a world full of degenerate, tantrum-throwing, blankie-clutching, un-potty-trained adults still sucking their binkies. I don't know.

Frankly, I've got my hands full just trying to make decisions about how to raise my own children. I don't have time to make decisions about how to raise someone else's. So, while I won't venture to offer parenting advice, I would like to call for a cease fire. Let's put an end to the Mommy Wars.

Happy Labor Day

Happy Labor Day to hardworking moms everywhere. After all, who works harder?

The Senator Larry Craig Bathroom Sex Scandal: A Rush to Judgment or No?

I rarely have trouble making decisions. Ask anyone who knows me well, I usually have an opinion -- an opinion that I am happy to share. But when it comes to the Larry Craig bathroom sex scandal, I still have questions, on a couple of levels.

First, I'm not convinced that people would care as much if the scandal didn't revolve around accusations of homosexuality. At this point, it's significant that news conversations revolve as much, if not more, around Craig's sexual orientation as around sex of any kind in a public place, or even the fact that Craig is married, which is often mentioned only as an afterthought. Really, shouldn't the point be that the man was accused of soliciting sex in a public restroom?

Second, I find Craig's guilty plea perhaps persuasive, but not determinative of his guilt for anything other than legal purposes. As any lawyer, I am fully aware that it is sometimes in individuals' best interest to plead guilty to crimes which they did not commit. Sad, but true. Unfortunately, in this case, it was clearly not in Craig's best interest to plead guilty, but he did, and that cannot be undone.

Third, "You have to be guilty in order to plead guilty" which has become the mantra of CNN Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin, usually a quite well-reasoned commentator, is misleading at best. While, yes, that exact language may be printed on the plea form that Craig signed, it is basically meaningless. It is a standard convenience clause included in an attempt to preempt later challenges to guilty pleas. This is something I expect Toobin knows full-well, which leads me to my next and final point.

It is the reaction of Washington insiders coupled with Craig's willingness to plead guilty which I find most persuasive of his guilt, far more so in fact than his actual guilty plea. No one in Washington came to Craig's defense. When the story broke, it was immediately reported that Craig's sexuality had been a point of ongoing discussion for many years. While Craig and fellow "Family Values" Republicans argue against extending equal rights in many arenas to homosexual individuals and couples, they seem fully aware of closeted individuals who serve the party well and at the highest levels. This is something they seem to have little problem with until there is a scandal. The fact that no one came to Craig's defense, not even the staunchest Republicans, makes me believe the accusations against Craig and his guilty plea were something they found not only believable, but almost expected. If he did not actually commit the crime to which he pleaded guilty, it would require more cynicism than I can muster even for the Republican party.

More troubling than the scandal or its impact on politics, I find it deeply disturbing that we live in a society where many men find it more amenable to seek out anonymous sex in public restrooms than acknowledge an identity they are told is sinful and morally reprehensible. This only furthers deep and shameful secrecy that destroys the lives of these men and others.

Mortgage Market Woes Explained -- A Brief Explanation of the "Loan to Own" Approach of Lenders

If you have any financial decisions to make, other than just how to spend the interest income from your inexhaustible trust fund, it's important to understand the cause and impact of the current mortgage crisis. In this video, John Vogel, from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, gives a brief, easy to understand explanation of the "Loan to Own" theory that furthered the competitive mortgage lending frenzy.

I found it interesting and think you might too.

Video from Beet.TV

I May Not Be Too Cool For A Minivan After All

Upon taking a life inventory, I realize perhaps I am not too cool for a minivan after all.

Exhibit A

I badly, badly want a nifty apron just like this one, so much in fact that I bought this pattern to sew it myself. Total square.




Exhibit B

Given the opportunity, I would dress my dogs in equally appealing apparel. Square, square, square.




Exhibit C

All three of these items reside in my jewelry box. Hopelessly square.




Exhibit D

This book is my idea of a good Valentine's Day present. Totally square.




Exhibit E

Square from an early age type square.







Minivan, I think, might actually enhance my coolness factor.


*Note - This is not intended to insinuate that people who drive minivans are not cool, only that my level of coolness is, eh-ehm, not a consideration.

Minivan Envy

I've been eyeing minivans lately, lusting over all that roominess, the huge cargo space, the sliding doors. I bet they have nice cup holders too. Front seats handsome and well-equipped, interior space large enough to change a diaper in, what's not to want? I hear some can do four-wheel drive.

I proclaimed in high school that I would never, never, never drive a minivan. Is my resolve to my pledge beginning to crumble? Am I slowly succumbing to the temptation of its incredible vanness?

May-be. Slowly. SUV's have that big gap between the floor and ground that can be difficult for kids to navigate. Even a stately luxury sedan doesn't seem equipped to handle my needs, with double-stroller, diaper bag, groceries, and two babies in tow.

Still, there is something in me that just won't let go of the hope of a sporty ride in my life. You know, because Corvettes are so practical with toddlers.

But then again, could a minivan be sporty? Could it be like the steamy guy with glasses and a big brain who is totally hot but just doesn't flaunt it?

Maybe. Just maybe.

Two, The Age of Reason

"Are you putting pizza in your pants for later?"

"Yep."

All New Husband-Minder Robot

This headline from Reuters "iRobot revamps vacuums, plans more home robots" got me thinking, what should their next robot be? I vote for the all-new "Husband-Minder" model, personalized to each wife's needs, programmable for up to 5 specified tasks, more programmable tasks available for more dough, of course.

My Husband-Minder would:

1. Automatically dispose of garments and shoes as they develop holes from wear and tear so that he cannot continue to wear them.

2. Follow him around when he has a cold and zap snotty tissues as he lays them on the kitchen counter.

3. Download sports information to his brain while he sleeps.

4. Mow the lawn once a month, or at the very least, act as an intermediary when code enforcement shows up regarding the forest growing in our front yard.

5. Bake him home-made cookies, buy his clothes, do his laundry, put away his things, clean his room, and tell him how wonderful he is, because frankly I don't have time.

What would your Husband-Minder do?

Musical Meme -- Seven Songs I'm Singing

Okay, so the meme rules don't actually ask for songs you are singing, but if I'm into it, I'm singing it. Hence the post title.

The Meme Rules actually are:

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what they are. They must be songs you are presently enjoying. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to.

These are the tunes that thump my ride:

1. Gwen Stefani's "4 In The Morning" from The Sweet Escape, a more grown-up, sophisticated sound from Gwen in a song about the trade-offs we sometimes make for love. View the video by clicking here to go to the Gwen Stefani site.

2. Gwen Stefani's "Yummy" from The Sweet Escape, perfect for driving the mom-mobile and singing like you are the hottest thing ever, totally.

3. "Now That You Got It" from Gwen Stefani's The Sweet Escape. Something like the SoCal equivalent of saying, "Cowboy up."

4. "London Bridge" from The Dutchess by Fergie. What can I say? This one speaks for itself.

5. Joss Stone's "Headturner" from Introducing Joss Stone. Nothing beats live music, but few artists get as close to the vibe of live as Stone does in this CD. If you don't have the urge to groove along, check for a pulse.

6. "Girl They Won't Believe It" from Introducing Joss Stone. Although new to my collection, this CD is destined to be a long-time favorite. It's got staying power.

7. India Arie's "Video" from Acoustic Soul. This is one I will play for my daughters as they grow up. If you haven't heard it, you can check out the lyrics by clicking here.

*Special note -- I love indie, new artists, and live music, but haven't been able to enjoy nearly as much since taking on full-time mommy duties. In that realm, I have to mention some favorite artists or risk becoming a total sell-out.

Garrison Starr -- the perfect mix of LA and the deep south, if you can imagine that. Great in concert.

Guster -- mellow, but good. Good in concert, if you can avoid the contact high.

Johnny Lang -- Best of Class in Blues. No longer indie or new, but still super good. Rocks the house in concert.

For more meme, I tag DoubleDutyDiary, Mom-101, Dragonfly, Chicken and Cheese, Blog Con Queso, Laurie's Reflections, and Oh the Joys, assuming they have not already completed this meme and I just totally missed it, having been such a bad bloggie citizen. Cheers Ladies, I would love to know what you're listening to.

I've Been a Bad Blog Citizen

I have been derelict in my blog citizen duties. I completely missed a meme I was tagged for by PunditMom, long, long ago. PunditMom is one of my most favorite bloggers, so many apologies. I can only offer as an excuse that I have two two-year-olds who since spring have launched a non-stop competitive offensive aimed at taking mommy down by seeing who can stay awake the most hours in a row, who can scream, "POOooo! POOOooo!" at the most inopportune moments at the fanciest restaurants in LA, and who can throw the wildest, most hysterical arm-flailing tantrums in any given hour. Oh, and I don't have a nanny. Any takers?

Sorry, PunditMom. My next post is in response to your meme tag.

Introducing Political Popsicle

A refreshing taste of politics from my alter ego, Political Pollyanna. Drop by and leave a comment -- Political Popsicle.

My husband says it's really cool.

Bad Toys, Bad Toys, What Ya Gonna Do?

Sign the petition. At least that's what I did, plus dumping what seemed like dozens of toys in the trash.

Click here to to go to Senator Chris Dodd's petition page. You can learn more there, and sign the petition if you wish.

And Now for A Commercial

Debating the Democratic Debate

Watching today's Democratic Debate, you might have thought Barack Obama was the front-runner and other candidates were desperate to bring him down. You might have thought that until you noticed Hillary Clinton's responses were largely unimpassioned and low-risk. Then you might have thought the nomination was hers to lose and the other candidates, in large part, would rather attempt to make themselves look better by stepping on Obama instead of sparring with the front-runner.

Biden, Richardson, and even Edwards (Say it isn't so!), nitpicked Obama's answers, while avoiding direct confrontation with Clinton. While Obama is perfectly capable of holding his ground in any toe-to-toe debate, the tactic of several individuals working together to belittle another can be amazingly effective, especially in public settings.

Edwards, Biden and Richardson came across as more interested in bringing down Obama than in answering questions. It is, after all, easier to point out somebody's inadequacies than propose your own solutions.

If you are competing for the nomination, why not point out the inadequacies of the front-runner? Is the nomination process really so far afield from populist democracy that before even the first vote is cast, Washington insiders know full-well who the nominee will be? It certainly seems so.

Clinton was never engaged in a full-court press. She simply held the ball, waiting for the clock to run out, while the other players scrambled to keep Obama at the other end of the court.

Dodd performed admirably, and Kucinich and Gravel used the debate as a platform to blast politics as usual, but overall, the lasting impact from today's debate is the way in which candidates who could be front-runners bowed to Clinton.

Political Bling

Feel free to download these buttons, post them to your blogs and share them in email. The catch? When the time comes, vote.

Just click on the icon to be taken to the album where you can choose from over 100 different designs.

Photobucket Album

*Brought to you courtesy of my ever-growing obsession with PhotoShop.

All Aboard the Potty Train -- Hope Springs Eternal

Just when you think you will still be changing their diapers at their prom, they surprise you.

This week, Baby K stood up from play, turned with a startled look, and exclaimed those precious words, "Mama, poo-poo!" Away we dashed to the potty. Who knew a mommy and toddler could run so fast holding hands.

Then the golden moment, or should I say brown. "Hooray! You did it!" reinforced with much cheering, clapping, and dancing.

To which Baby K responded with a slight smile and tilt of her head, as if to say, "Yep, I did it. I knew I could all along. But you, Mommy, make quite a silly dancing monkey. I think I'll do this again sometime . . . when I'm ready."

Inspiring Minds

If you like the new digs, I should give credit for inspiration that came from here, here, here, here and here:
(If you don't like it, it's all me.)

Artist James Naccarato

A truly innovative young artist whose paintings draw you into their midst and their emotions. Inspired in part by Salvador Dali, his surrealistic imagery speaks with a depth and complexity that surpasses words and will remain in your mind long after you view it.

Thinkspace Gallery

The best online gallery I have found. If you want to know what is going on in the LA Art Scene, this is my favorite site to cruise.

Artist Oliver Vernon

View his work online at Lineage Gallery. Geometrics, landscapes and life forms come together in swirling abstract beauty.

Artist Blaine Fontana

One of my most recent favorites. This is why I love to cruise art galleries online. Click on "Animal Council" in the left sidebar on his homepage to be inspired. You lucky people in Pennsylvania and Colorado can see his work in person at shows in August and December respectively.

"vin" the SuperBrain

Last, but not least, many thanks to SuperBrain "vin" at Dummies Guide to Google Blogger (Beta) for the excellent explanation of how to add a background to your blog.

Wacky Wednesday -- "Hooray!"

Upon arriving in our hotel room after five straight hours of road warrior travel, Baby K blurted out an energetic "Hooray!" Thinking she must be pleased to be out of her stroller and car seat, I turned to find her gleefully wielding the mighty, mighty television remote. All hail the power.

LA Night

Livin' La Vida LA.

LaVidaLA

Travelin' Mom

Look at me. I'm MoBlogging (mobile blogging).

On the road again. Okay, so traveling is not alll bad. (Please excuse the low resolution camera phone pics.)

Wacky Wednesday -- Hero Chihuahua

from FoxNews.com

Hero Chihuahua Saves Toddler From Rattlesnake
Sunday, July 22, 2007

MASONVILLE, Colo. — Zoey is a Chihuahua, but when a rattlesnake lunged at her owners' 1-year-old grandson, she was a real bulldog.

Booker West was splashing his hands in a birdbath in his grandparents' northern Colorado back yard when . . .

Body of Chihuahua, Heart of a Lion. My kind of dog.

She's Baaaack, and She's Earned Herself a Badge

No, I didn't fall off the edge of the planet, although some Benadryl I took during my absence made me feel like I was standing very close.

The little love tap I received from a sting ray Mother's Day weekend eventually grew to a throbbing, pulsating infection, landing me in squarely in the emergency room for healthy does of IV super antibiotic, to which I had allergic reaction, which led to a dose of IV Benadryl, which made me, well uhm, what's the polite term, hmmm, LOO-OO-OOPY, with a capital OOOOOO. After recovering from the insanity, or at least leveling out to my more usual level of insanity, and spending several days with my foot in the air (I so should have worked this for more.), I recovered.

So what's my excuse for no blogging? Well, it began there and grew. The twins, they began sleeping in shifts. One doesn't endorse daylight savings. The other embraces it with glee. Visitors came in May, June and July, and I had the crazy idea I should unpack the boxes (at least more of them) from our move a year ago before our company arrived.

Then I, overambitious twin mom that I am, executed a decidedly brilliant plan to take my two two-year-olds, with two strollers and two car seats, on a plane, cross-country, to a family reunion, in hothouse humid, 90+ degree, mosquito-infested climes, where the towns have no stoplights AND NO STARBUCKS. Yes, that's right. No stoplights AND NO STARBUCKS. Call me a big city sissy. It's true.

When I finally arrived home and allowed myself a few moments of sanity saving web browsing at CoolMomPicks.com (one of my faves), I found this most appropriate Mama Merit Badge, which I think I totally deserve times two:

Graphic Shamelessly Downloaded from Mama Merit Badges at www.mamameritbadges.com.(Please go buy yourself a badge, so they won't mind.)

*Note -- I am receiving no sort of recompense, payment or other undue persuasion for this brazen endorsement of Mama Merit Badges.

**Note 2 -- I loved every minute of the family reunion and would brave all the perils of travel to do it again in a red hot minute . . . on a different airline.

Post Pics of Your Pets Day

Kudos to Kelly of Digressions for coming up with Post Pics of Your Pets Day!


Benjamin The Mighty 20 Pound Warrior,



Guardian of Christmas Goodies,



and Eater of Large Stuffed Candy Canes



Age: Approximately 91 dog years and counting.
Origin: Adopted from a shelter.
Turn ons: Tummy rubs and ear scratching, oh baby.
Turn offs: People of the male persuasion. Once ran away from the pizza delivery man. Really, all the way down the block.
Strength: Would chew someones ankles off to protect me.
Weakness: Will kiss for waffles.
Proudest Moment: When he delivered to me as a gift the muffin he had snatched from the table on the sly a couple of days before.
Most Embarrassing Moment: Once winkled on a date, who surprisingly enough did not run away screaming in disgust.

For Memorial Day

A little slice of peace in remembrance of all that has been lost in war:

Wacky Wednesday -- Never Doubt the Value of a Good Shoe

Mom Beats Intruder with High Heel
from WOAI.com
Last Update: May 15, 2007 11:02 PM
Posted By: Walker Robinson

A single mother fights back using a high heel to protect her family from a stranger in their southwest side home, News 4 WOAI learned Tuesday . . .

The Best Mother's Day Gift Ever -- Surf Lesson!

So maybe I'm biased about it being the best Mother's Day gift ever, but this year I realized a long-time dream by taking my first surf lesson. As I learned about surfing hula style, my baby girls delighted in strolling up and down the beach with Grandma. I can so see them as surfer girls some day. Even though my lesson was cut way short by a little love tap from a sting ray, it still totally rocked. I hope to take another again soon.

Negotiating Salary: Strategy, Evaluating the Offer, and Asking for More

You can visit ZoKai's sister blog Firm Advice for this special (and especially long) post on Negotiating Salary if you wonder why there are so few posts here this week:

Negotiating Salary: Strategy, Evaluating the Offer, and Asking for More

Mmmmm, Just the News I've Been Waiting For

Wouldn't you like to be on this research team?

Fruity cocktails count as health food, study finds
from Reuters.com
Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:41AM EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A fruity cocktail may not only be fun to drink but may count as health food, U.S. and Thai researchers said on Thursday.

Adding ethanol -- the type of alcohol found in rum, vodka, tequila and other spirits -- boosted the antioxidant nutrients in strawberries and blackberries, the researchers found . . .

Researching Salary: How and Where to Look

*A cross post from Firm Advice. If you have questions about where to look for salary specifics in your field, post your questions in the comments section, and I will try to help you find a reliable resource.

Ever wonder if you're making what you're worth? Well, if you're wondering, you probably aren't making what your worth. One of the most important things I learned as a recruiter was that salaries vary greatly for practically identical positions based not only on skill but also on knowledge of the market and ability to negotiate.

Knowledge is power. It can make a huge difference. I once interviewed two gentlemen employed in nearly identical positions at equivalent organizations. Much to my surprise, one was making approximately $50,000 a year less!

He must have been less qualified, you might think. Perhaps his educational background wasn't as impressive or his work experience was less extensive. Sadly, no. The only significant difference between these two candidates I was interviewing for the same position was that one knew his worth and knew how to negotiate and the other did not.

The man making less wasn't aware he was being underpaid and didn't know how to ask for what he was worth. In order to ask for what you are worth, you must first know your worth.

The advent of the Internet has made salary information much more accessible. Where companies formerly shielded salaries as a closely guarded secret, smart companies today are more open in salary negotiations, faced with better informed prospective employees. Negotiating is another part of the interview process. Someone who is well-informed and negotiates to a win-win solution adds value to her worth before even beginning the new position.

Researching the salary range for your position is much like familiarizing yourself with an area by looking at a map. You can begin by using salary sites like Salary.com, SalaryExpert.com and PayScale.com. These will give you a bird's eye view, but not the detailed information you will need to skillfully negotiate your way to your destination. Using these sites alone for your salary research would be like trying to find your way around Los Angeles using a map of the United States of America. For a better view, using more than one source and more than one type of source, will help ensure your research is balanced and accurate.

Very detailed information, including salaries for certain titles at named companies in certain cities, is available from Vault.com, a leader in the area of targeted salary research. Although you have to pay to see these reports, the information is worth the small fee, if you are considering working for a large firm or corporation. If you are considering a position with a small firm in a small town, the information is not as relevant. To balance your view, turn to industry organizations and sites such as NALP.org, Law.com, and FindLaw's Infirmation.com.

Once you have done your initial research online, reality check what you have found by talking with a professional counterpart you trust in your geographic market. If you don't yet know anyone you feel you can ask, you can use a message board such as the one found on GreedyAssociates.com.

While salary information is more readily available for large firms, you can get a reliable look at compensation at medium to small firms in your area by relying more heavily on the last part of the process described above. Regardless of the size of your market, staying connected with colleagues is great way to not only enjoy the camaraderie of people with similar interests, but also continue to learn about your market. Having a friend with whom you can discuss important professional decisions can put you far ahead in evaluating whether a position offers the right opportunity for you.

When considering the information you find, keep in mind the many factors that impact salary, including but not limited to: 1) your salary in your current and previous positions; 2) geographic location; 3) cost of living; 4) size of firm; 5) areas of law in which the firm practices; 6) locations of the firm's other offices, if any; 7) prestige/name recognition of the firm; 8) hiring history; and 9) salary in relation to billable and non-billable hour requirements.

Be sure to continue your research until you reach a firm conclusion on the minimum and maximum compensation amounts you consider fair. Consider this your "comfort zone." Once you have identified your comfort zone, stick to it.

If you receive an offer significantly outside of your comfort zone, in either direction, be very cautious about going to work with the extending firm. While reaching a compensation agreement most often includes some amount of negotiation, an offer either unreasonably low or high can be an early indicator of serious problems right from the beginning. More to come on how to address this situation in next week's follow up article, "Negotiating Compensation."

New Questions about Risks to Humans Evolving in Contamination Quandry

If you haven't checked the latest news on the pet food contamination situation, you might want to. Contaminated food may have been eaten by chickens and hogs, some of which have already gone to slaughter and may have entered the human food chain. Although the USDA and FDA say the health risk to humans from eating meat of animals who ate the contaminated food would be very low, the source and prevalence of the contamination still remain unclear. It now appears wheat gluten and rice protein may not have been the only contaminated food components. Corn gluten, corn meal, soy protein, rice bran and rice protein may also have been contaminated. Additionally, contaminated rice protein, the ingredient in the hog feed, appears to have been imported during the week of April 2, well after the start of the recall initiated March 17 by Menu Foods.

6,000 hogs may have eaten tainted feed: USDA
from Reuters.com
Thu Apr 26, 2007 8:57PM EDT
By Christopher Doering

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An estimated 6,000 hogs from New York to California were likely given feed containing melamine, a chemical used in plastics and fertilizer, the U.S. Agriculture Department said Thursday.

. . .

FDA officials said they would inspect imports of six grain products -- wheat gluten, corn gluten, corn meal, soy protein, rice bran and rice protein -- used in foods ranging from bread to baby formula for traces of the chemical that is believed to have killed and sickened cats and dogs.

. . .

Special Feature -- Coming this Weekend, Researching Salary

Ever wonder if you're making what you're worth? Well, if you're wondering, you probably aren't making what your worth. One of the most surprising things I learned as a recruiter was that salary varies greatly for practically identical positions based not only on skill but also on knowledge of the market and ability to negotiate. In this brief article, I will help you focus on the first of those two factors, knowledge of the market. In the follow up article, I will help you hone your negotiation skills.

Wacky Wednesday -- Toddlers Make the Worst Drivers

Toddler puts car into gear, hits tree
from News 10 Now
4/24/2007 4:07 PM
By: Web Staff

A two-year-old put a vehicle into gear and hit a tree after rolling down the street. It happened in the 200 block of Forest Avenue in the city of Syracuse around 11 a.m. Tuesday . . .

Wacky Wednesday -- Donkey Witness in Dallas

Appparently a video of the donkey's behavior just wouldn't do.

Donkey becomes witness in Dallas dispute
from Yahoo! News
Thu Apr 19, 11:09 AM ET

DALLAS - The first witness in a lawsuit Wednesday between two neighbors was Buddy the donkey, who walked to the bench and stared at the jury, the picture of a gentle, well-mannered creature and not the loud, aggressive animal he had been accused of being . . .

I'm Blushing

I'm blushing. Can you tell? I've been nominated for the Blogger's Choice Awards Best Political Blog and for Hottest Mommy Blogger. Click on either of the buttons in the sidebar to the right to learn more or to go vote. A big, big thanks to Oh, the Joys, a.k.a. The Nominatrix, for the nominations.

Mombot Monday -- Cheat Sheets for the Domestic Goddess

"Work smarter, not harder" should be emblazoned above my doorway. If there is a better way to accomplish a task, I want to know about it. To that end, there are a few sites I have found I can reliably turn to for domestic tips and tricks. Whether it is removing coffee stains from your favorite blouse, picking paint colors for the nursery, or finding fresh decorating ideas for entertaining, these sites deliver:

MarthaStewart.com -- the ultimate domestic guide, with great ideas, always in good taste.

Doityourself.com -- everything from how to complete simple plumbing projects to removing food stains from clothing and how to make your own candles, this site doesn't disappoint, an excellent overall resource.

BHG.com -- Better Homes and Gardens Magazine's web site, a fun site for recipes and decorating tips, unfortunately plagued by an annoying number of pop-up ads.

PAllenSmith.com -- reliable resource for gardening and landscape design tips, well-organized and explained in easy to understand terms. Includes helpful features such as a hardiness zone map complete with a zip code zone finder.


*These are my favorites. I would love to hear about yours too.