It's Looking A Lot Like Christmas!

I got my tree today, and it is in the stand, but not decorated yet. I will try to do that tomorrow night. I will have to decide whether to use all white lights or colored. I go back and forth, but I think my favorite is the colored lights. It is actually a very pretty symmetrical tree. I bought it late, but I will keep it up late. I know it is supposed to be bad luck to keep a tree up after New Year's, but I am fearless. I am late putting it up, but I will keep it up late.

One of my kitties is curled up under the tree. It looks so sweet. He doesn't even realize it is not decorated yet. Well, for right now, he is the decoration.

Christmas Shopping In L.A.

A friend is going to visit her relative in Los Angeles for the holidays. She is so excited, and so would I, if I had the chance to go. I haven't been to LA or then environs in quite some time. Shopping on Rodeo Drive right about now would be the ticket. And then down to San Diego and Coronado. Coffee or cocktails at the Del, anyone? Sign me up!

They are going to do all of this and more. Not only are they going to finish up their Christmas shopping, they are going to look for furniture for the Cali gal. She needs a new bed so they are going to look for one and visit some mattress stores los angeles. Maybe look for some other furniture too and some curtains and such.

Wish I could be there. Maybe some future Christmas I can join them.

I Am Hooked On Homeland!

I am a newcomer to the show Homeland. I had heard about it a lot, but hadn't seen it until recently. I had to catch up on season 1 and 2 in an on demand marathon. But I am hooked. What a great show! Great, acting, great plot. Addicting for sure.

On some of the forums dedicated to the show, posters have talked about how unprofessional Carrie seems. I have to agree. But she is good at her job. And intuitive. And maybe the people in the CIA just appreciated her skills.

The whole thing with Brodie. Weird! I hate to say it, but the guy is just a loser. Good grief. I understand he was in captivity for a long time, and who knows what happened. But he just screws things up left and right. So exhausting. I don't think I could stand to be around him What a mess.

My Interesting Neighborhood

I love my neighborhood. I live near a couple of universities, which means there is a lot going on in my hood. There is a lot of restaurants and boutiques. A lot of people out walking around. Jogging, Walking dogs. There are also many cultural things going on. A lot of diversity. And also a lot of other things too. There is a house near me that has Quaker services. Sometimes I drive by at night, and see them in the house, sitting on the worship furniture, and having their Quaker service. All of these things make me so happy and proud of my neighborhood. It is so vibrant and real, and I love it.

My New Sales Career Lasted A Whole Six Weeks!

As you can see from my header, I am a career changer. Well, only sometimes. Because of duress at work, I was looking for a new opportunity. There was a sales opp that combined a lot of my skills and past experience. So I signed up.

But when I went to the orientation, I realized I was only partially impressed. With the product and the people. The product is OK and could be a go. But the people I would work for are not sophisticated and are only concerned about money, not quality. A combination that does not excite me.

I tried it for six weeks. And no one seems interested. Those I am working for might say I have not talked to enough people and have not tried hard enough. I say that I have talked with enough people and have tried hard enough. I can't imagine that other potentials would feel differently.

I have a call in right now to say that I am exiting. Stopping before I start. And that is a good thing. Knowing when not to proceed is invaluable.

No Black Friday Shopping For Me Today

I love to go shopping and love to go shopping on Black Friday. I love to get good deals. But alas, today I will not be going, as I did not plan to have money to go! Somehow Black Friday escaped me this year, and so it was not budgeted. And of course, that means I can't shop on small business Saturday either. Oh well. I guess the economy can limp along without me this year. But next year--watch out!

Family Issues And PTSD

Sometimes I think I have PTSD. I really do. I haven't been in war or in any measurable stressful situation like that. But I grew up in a dysfunctional family, where my parents were insensitive and arrogant. And it caused a lot of pain. A lot of pain. The problem is that situations got out of hand, and memories of these situations follow me. Then when like situations come up with my parents now, those feelings come flooding back. I try to accept that I just have insensitive and arrogant parents. I do not want memories and new similar situations to cause me stress and therefore health problems. But the feelings of anger and sadness and despair sometimes just flood over me for seemingly trivial reasons. But they are not trivial when they cause this much problem.

Challenges Of Living In A Small Space

I live in a small two-bedroom urban condo. It was too small for me when I lived along, but now that a family member has moved in, it has been a challenge. There is not enough storage space, and you have to be very creative when decorating and storing item. For example, I need more room in my bedroom. I have an old fashioned TV in there, because it is a great TV and won't die. But it is huge and clunky and taking up an inordinate amount of space. I need to get a flat screen but don't really want to do that until the old TV dies. (So I may not get another TV for 20 more years.)

But a flat screen would help with the space in my room. I wouldn't have that clunky box on a table in my room anymore. Rather, I would have a flat TV, either on one of those floor stand mounts or on a mount on the wall. That would save so much room! I may have to give in and do it soon. Love that old TV and appreciate the fine workmanship, but space and decor may win out.

What To Do Next Career Wise?

I am in a dead end job and need to move on. Didn't think it would be a dead end job, but working with my relative has become a dead end. Should have seen it. Not making enough money and not enough challenge. I won't go into all the reasons why this is, but suffice it to say, it really shouldn't be a surprise. But now I have to figure out what to do next.

Go back to journalism? I have an opportunity, but it is not what I am used to and may not be what I am comfortable with. Practice law full time? Hard to hang a shingle when you don't have a good financial cushion. Stay where I am and go one way or the other? Juggle two jobs, until I am self sufficient in an area? That is what I am thinking about doing. I have good skills and can move one way or another. That is some to be grateful for. Watch this space.

Deciding What Kind Of Law You Want To Practice

I have now been a licensed attorney for three years. But I only practice law part time, so building my career has been a slow process. I could go out now and hang a shingle full time, but there is that pesky problem of needing income in the interim while you build clients Also being solo can be tricky. You don't have the other people in the office who can help you.

I have been trying to be honest with myself about my limitations in practicing law. You get flattered when someone wants you to help them, but then you find out you might be in over your head with the case. So, I am realizing the benefits of specialization, and not being everything to everyone.

I like disability law. It is a good fit for me, because I can immediately see I am helping people. I also like collections work--working on both sides of the fence. And I have done a little landlord/tenant law. After talking with a raleigh commercial real estate attorney I have come to understand the range of work you can do as a real estate lawyers. Those three things might keep me busy enough!

First Day At My New Part-Time Job

As you can see from my header, I am a career changer. Never used to be, but now I seem to be changing careers all of the time. And it is a good thing. I am not one of those bad career changers--someone who can't hold a job. I am more of a career adder oner. I add on skills and jobs, which is important in today's world.

In my latest rendition, I am launching a magazine, which requires me to sell ads. I have never sold ads before, so I hope I can do it, and in this economy. I have my first sales call today. Wish me luck.

Improvements At Our Condo Building

We are having all kinds of improvements done at our condo. We had the the roof replaced, the parking lot repaved, and we have a long list of other things we want to do. Everyone once in a while, a single condo will also have some issues, and then there are a lot of workman around then too. All kinds of trucks, dollies, power saws, tools, parker cng hose, and all kinds of other things. It is kind of a pain to have workman around--it blocks the parking lot and you can't get in and out--but it is also kind of nice to hear hammering and such. It makes you smile, knowing that we are taking care of our property, and it is just nice to work going on.

Mindfulness And The Monkey Mind

I am attending a tech/blogger conference and am loving it. I am not a real tech person--more like tech lite. This session was about being in the here and now more. Something we all need to do more. Disconnect more. Be in nature more. Multi-task but take breaks from it. Strive for work/life balance. But that is a process you are always going through. You always have to strive for work/life balance. If you achieve it one day, you may not achieve it the next. When you are stressed--do something about it. Detach, slow down, dig deep. Your life is more than your work.

The monkey mind will take over your mindful state and make you distracted sometimes. We then are not so mindful and not so much in the now. Work to keep the monkey mind at bay, but also be compassionate about your monkey mind. It happens to all of us, the speaker said.

I Have Downton Abbey Fever!

I am relaxing in my hotel room tonight and watching a behind-the-scenes show about Downton Abbey. I discovered the show in the middle of the second season. I rented the first season and am still waiting on availability of the second season, so I can see the first episodes that I missed last year. Eagerly awaiting the third season coming up! And in the meantime, I am enjoying Upstairs Downstairs, which apparently Downton Abbey is based on. I am watching the remake of the series, since I never watched the original Upstairs Downstairs. Loving it! All of it.

More Construction In My Hometown

Cranes, cranes, everywhere. In my hometown, with so much new construction going on, you would never know there is supposed to be down economy right now. I hear details about some of the projects--their goals, their plans, and even some of their tiny details, such as their materials like granite surface plate, etc. It is exciting to say the least to see my town get cooler and more hip all the time. And I have to say I love it, since some of the projects are going up in my neighborhood, making my property more valuable.

I May Be Starting Yet Another Chapter In My Life!

As my subtitle to my blog indicates, I am a career changer (apparently) and move at 5,000 miles a minute. Maybe make that 6,000 miles a minute?

A disagreement with my current boss has had me out looking for new opportunities. I have found a 1099 independent contractor situation that marries a lot of my skills. I am at a training meeting this week about it. It sounds like a great opportunity, but there have been a few red flags. Like not showing up to pick us up at the airport when promised. Not the end of the world, but not impressive either.

I am interested in the opportunity, because it has potential for making a lot of money plus work/life balance. Like everyone, I want more money and to be in control of my schedule. To be home more. To travel more. To not be tied to a desk eight hours a day and not make headway with saving money or meeting goals.

Watch this space.

What To Get My Niece and Nephew For Their Second Birthday?

My niece and nephew will be turning two in a few weeks, and I haven't gotten their gifts yet. I will have to get them soon so I can mail them in time. I am not sure what to get them. Probably some clothes and some
large plush toys would be fun. There is something great about a big squishy toy, to play with and to sleep with. Maybe some games and puzzles too. I just wish I could be there with them for their birthday. They will only be two once, and we live too far away. Of course, the terrible twos are not always fun. I am sure I will see them at Christmas. But seeing them more would be good. They are so sweet, and I will enjoy watching the grow up.

Too Much To Do, Too Little Time

One of my nice freelance jobs just ended prematurely, and he gave me a good review. But because it ended early (other writers were also working on it), I will lose out on $1,000 to $2,000. And that hurts. That hurts so much! It is my own fault--I could have worked many more hours each week online than I did. But I was tired at night, and I couldn't get much done. But that is the trade off. Do you sleep or do you do more freelance hours. Wish I could figure out a way to do both.

I Have Had So Many Background Checks!

In the last couple of years, I have had to have two background checks: One to get my law license, an the other to become a foster parent. So, now that I am applying for jobs, I don't get the least bit concerned when I see I might have to submit to a background check. Hey--been there, done that, I think. It is also comforting nothing that there is nothing on my record to find. At some point I may have to do background checks on others. Some people say I should have already started doing background checks since I am online dating. Oh, I have thought about it a time or two--just haven't shelled out the bucks to do so. But, at some point I may look for an easy back ground back ground check to fill my legal and dating needs. Now, that is an interesting pairing!

Older Workers Can Retire Later, Can't They?

In the midst of the downturn in the economy and job loss, the tanking of the stock market a few years ago, and the plunging value of 401Ks, everyone was holding onto a thread of hope: Workers who were not prepared financially to retire could work longer. Rather than retiring at 65, or worse 62, they could wait until 70 or older to help replenish their retirement funds. While not an ideal solution for some, it did provide a safety net for those worried about running out of money in their golden years.

But were we naive to think that could work?  Working until 70 or older not only requires that you want to do that, but that you also have a job that will let you do that, or that you can find another one to fill in. If things weren't grim enough, now they are saying that not everyone who wants to work until 70 will be able to do so. As this article points out, a lot of those who want and need to work longer before retiring are the very people who may not be able to do so because of health problems or disabilities.


http://money.msn.com/retirement/dont-count-on-working-longer

My Kitties Keep Tearing Up My Chair!

I am really bummed out. I don't have that much money, and therefore can't buy new things for my condo that much. So, when I buy a new chair and ottoman for my living room--that is a big deal! I have only had them for a short while, and the kitties start clawing at it! It has already tore a few little place in the back of the chair and on the arms. I have resorted to putting a blanket over the chair to prevent them from doing further damage. I may try to get some of that spray that will keep animals away, but I am afraid it might be smelly. But I would like to think I could fix it. The chair and ottoman are leather, so I would have to find someone who could repair leather. But, the bottom line is, it is disheartening to get something to just have it ruined. But then again I love my kitties--so what do you do?

My Nephew Loves Puzzles And Games

My nephew is so smart and talented. And he loves games and puzzles. He is so good at them too. I think he will be an engineer or something. That would be good--then he could make lots of money! I always try to buy him some interesting things for his birthday and Christmas. And I am trying to find some new things for him. Someone told me to check here for hoberman sphere. I don't even really know what it is, but it might be something my nephew likes. I will check into it and see. After all his birthday is coming up. I think I need to play games and puzzles more. Less work, more play! I think that would be good for me.

I Love Summer Clothes!

No doubt about it, I am a summer girl. I like summer activities and summer clothes. My wardrobe is nicer and more fun in the summer. Summer clothes are easier to wear and cuter. They usually cost less than winter clothes, and they are easier to pack. Winter clothes can be so blah. What is not to love about summer clothes then?

I always hate to see summer end, because then no more sunning or swimming outside. Or wearing cute shorts and tees or rompers. I don't have a big budget for clothes, but do like to get a cute summer frock nw and then. And summer clothes and their colors just make me feel soooo happy!

I know, you have to go through all the seasons in a year. And I don't hate the other seasons. But summer is my fave for sure!

Is This Fall A Good Time To Go To Law School?

I guess it had to happen. The legal field, like every other field, has fallen on hard times. Law graduates from the last couple of years, many of whom have unbelieveable school debt, cannot find jobs. Law schools are under fire for not being transparent enough about the job market and their ability to help find grads jobs.

So, the prediction is that this year some law schools might admit up to 80 percent of the candidates. Good move or bad move? There are already too many lawyers on the market. But everyone knows the smartest students don't always make the best lawyers. Maybe the field is becoming more equal on a couple of fronts?

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-3049-Interviewing-An-update-to-the-classic-interview-questions/?SiteId=cbmsnhp43049&sc_extcmp=JS_3049_home1

Need To Get A Birthday Gift For My Nephew

My nephew's birthday is coming up, and I know what to get him. I just need to know where can I find ps3 games. I guess I will look online to see if I can order them there and ask my techie friends. My nephew would really like these. He is into games of all sorts. Other than that, I have no clue as to what to get him, so I am glad of this. I think it is hard to buy for men/boys. Buying for girls--easy peasy. But then I am a girl, so that makes it easy.

Blech--Bad Client On Elance

I have had a good run on the Elance freelancing site lately. Getting good jobs and getting paid. What better to like? Nothing. What not to like? The occasional bad client, or employer as they are alsocalled.

I bid on a travel related job and was one of three people hired to do some blurbs. I got the assignment and the samples. I wrote mine and on time. She asked if they could be a bit longer, so I said OK and turned them back in within 24 hours.

She wrote the snottiest feedback. Say what? I wrote your stuff just like you wanted, but better. And I had it in on time. I did the revisions within 24 hours. And you leave me this snotty feedback?  Well, I am going to refund your money and erase the feedback. So there.

One of the others hired for the job has done the same, and there is no sign of any work out of the 3rd. So, good riddance. This chick has problems. Now on to my good clients and my upward trend at Elance.

I just hope I don't run into another like her.

My Computer Is So Slow

Neither my home laptop nor my work computer is ideal. My home laptop is very small, which is great, except when the screen is too small to see things. And my work computer is slow as molasses. But I can't afford a new personal laptop right now (plus I like mine--it is cute!) So, I will make due. I am hoping to find some way to clean up computer at work. I probably have too many things on it. But that is how it goes. It is sort of like my "tech" purse. Always too many things in it, hee hee.

Planning My Next Vacation Already

I have been to the beach this summer, but I am already planning my next trip. I have some relatives up north, so I could go see them. But I might want to plan a side trip in addition. I have never been to central New Jersey, so that is a possibility. I also have some friends and family near there, and I owe them a visit. So that might be a plan.

I would like to go there, because of the above mentioned friends and family, but also because I have never been there, and I always like to go somewhere new. The only place I have been in New Jersey is Newark, and I know there is more to that state than that! I have also never been to the Jersey shore or Atlantic City, so those may be possible add-ons. I looked online for things to do in central New Jersey, and there seems to be quite a lot of options. Good food, for sure!

I am very much into family and would like to strengthen the ties with those in New Jersey. So, it seems like a win-win-win situation to me. Go to a new place, visit friends and family, and have fun!

The Morning Of The Bar Exam: What To Do

Found this article from Vault about last minute bar exam dos and don'ts and it made me remember my own first disastrous attempt at taking the bar exam. (Yes, I had to take it twice.)

The first time I took it, I was exhausted from law school, and I should have waited until Feb. to take it. OK, I didn't, but that was my first mistake.

Then, because I was exhausted, I never could stoke the fire enough to study. I was reading and going through the motions, but the old study machine was not plugged in.

I thought about pulling my application, as a couple of my friends did, but I pushed forward, thinking I could pull it off. After all, I sometimes felt unprepared for tests in law school but passed just fine. That was another mistake. Note: the bar exam is not like tests in law school.

OK, so what happened the days of the test?  It is all kind of a blur at this point, but here goes. In our state, the bar exam is two days. The first day, I was frantic--didn't wake up early enough to relax some in the morning, and the worst part is I didn't have time to make coffee or stop somewhere and get it either. I don't eat breakfast usually, so that was no big deal, but I had to have coffee, except that I didn't get it. Another bad mistake.

Then at lunch, I did go get coffee, but it was almost too late then. Even worse, I repeated the pattern the next day for the essay portion of the bar exam. No coffee, but I even forgot to get it at lunch. The very worst part is I fell asleep for a little while during the essay test. Yes, asleep. I had my head resting in my hand facing the wall (I was the last one in the row, thank goodness) but I seriously fell asleep. That is how sleepy and unprepared I was for the test. I had written down everything I could for the essays, but I knew it was not enough. Needless to say, I did not pass.

The second attempt was a whole different ballgame. I signed up for the bar exam in February and had plenty of time to study and sleep before the big day came again.

I agree with everythng the Vault article says except for one thing: If you are used to cramming at the last minute, go ahead and do it then too. After all, if that is your pattern, don't stop. As is typical with me, I had a few lists of things not fully committed to memory yet, so even the mornings on both days (MBE and essay)I was memorizing lists. And I had coffee. And sleep. And good prep. And I passed. And so will you.

Redoing My Bathroom? With My Schedule?

My niece, god love her, wants to redo one of our bathrooms. Which is a nice idea. But where do we get the money? And the time? And the expertise? She says she can do it herself. But I am wondering if that comes from the same place where she says she gets up every morning at 8 a.m.? Right. Only in her mind.

I would love to redo the bathroom--put some tile on the floor, maybe get a spa tub, a new shower curtain and towels, etc. But with everything else going on in our lives, I am just not sure this is the right time. Maybe I will put it in the queue of ideas in my head. Maybe check out some stores--Home Depot, Lowe's, Waterworks, and any other place where I can get ideas and prices. I also need to redo part of the kitchen too. If we can get it down, it will be nice.

Is There A Job Application High?

I am trying to make more money as an online freelance writer. So, I am using the online freelance writing job boards more. Sites like Elance and Odesk. They require you to bid on jobs.

I have discovered something interesting--I get sort of a high from bidding on these jobs. Similar to, I think, maybe a gambling high? I don't have a gambling problem, so I don't know about that. But I am thinking it must be similar. I bid and bid and bid--just on good paying jobs of course. And I get a rush every time I bid.

And when I bid, I hope I get picked! But, of course, the number you win is a small percentage of the bids. And to be honest, I worry about having the time to do all of the jobs in case I get them. And, also to be honest, I am glad I don't get some of them. (Shhhh--some of them may be boring and tedious to do.)

But anyway, was wondering if anyone else had experienced this feeling?

So Excited About New Season Of Breaking Bad Starting Tonight!

I am an avid fan of Breaking Bad, and I am so excited about the new season starting tonight! To get ready, I have been watching a marathon of previous shows. It's one of those shows where you sometimes have to watch each episode more than once. I won't have to watch all of them before tonight, but I will continue to view them. Can't wait to see where this is going. I think Hank is the best.

Sprucing Up My Place

I am wanting to spruce up my place (why does it take so long to actually do this??) and get things in order. I am through traveling for the summer and now can spend much more time going through boxes of papers and magazines to sort things out. I can't wait to get this done.

I am also wanting to spruce up my furniture. I want to find a new sofa and maybe get a cushion for chair in the living. That alone would make my place look so much better. Now that I have the time, where am I going to get the money for the furniture though?

Are wedding bands a good clue to if a man is single?

I have to admit that when I meet men for the first time, out of habit  I check their ring finger. If they are not wearing mens wedding rings, I think they may be available. I know that is not always the case, but my question is, why would men not wear wedding rings now? I know a long time ago, it was less common, but I would think the married would show off their rings. It just makes it harder for us single girls out there to know what is what.

Is My Niece Headed For The Stage?

There is no doubt about it--my niece is a talented singer. She can carry a tune and has a good range. She has been a member of various singing groups, and had to audition to get in them.

I am hoping that she will branch out now to acting. She has never done that before, so she might need some help to make that transition. I hear there are acting coaches you can get to help you prepare. Not only that, but once you have picked a role you would like to play, you can get an audition coach to help you nail the part.

I used to be part of musical groups, but never ventured into acting--not my thing. But I think she might be a natural, and I would like her to experience it. I am hoping she will try out for a few of her high school productions to see if that is something she would like to pursue.

Watching The Tudors Marathon And Loving It!

I have been trying to watch The Tudors for a while on BBCA, but it has been frustrating, because they don't always air the shows in order. So I have been so confused!

But luckily, they aired the whole 5 seasons over Memorial Day, and I DVRd them. So I have been rewatching them in order, and now I get it! It all makes sense now. I had never seen some episodes at all, so there were gaping holes in my understanding. I am glued to the TV set and am loving it. So very interesting. Very bawdy and gory as well. If you were in the king's inner circle, sometimes you would pay for your good fortune with your head!

Cigar Circles

When I go to my local Starbucks, I get a kick out of watching the guys in the cigar store next door. Many of the times I am there getting a coffee, I see guys sitting in a circle in the store. They are smoking away. Not sure what they are smoking--I am not a cigar expert, but a guy sitting next to me in SB said he thought they might be smoking arturo fuente cigars. I wouldn't know a good cigar from a bad one, but I do like the smell. Sometimes watching the guys in the circle, I wonder what they are talking about? Politics, the city, the weather, the cigars? Maybe a little of all of it. Just a curiosity to me.

Graduation--A Bittersweet Time

It is the end of the school year, and that means graduation announcements, graduation gown, parties, trips, etc. It is an exciting time but also a sad time. Bittersweet. Nostalgic.A beginning and an end. The end of an era. The beginning of a new one.

I have been through several graduations myself. I wasn't that sad at my high school graduation, mainly because I was excited about going to college, and it never dawned on me that I might never see my high school classmates again. (I guess I needn't have anyway, since I have seen most of them at reunions throughout the years.)

But I was definitely sad at my college graduation. I must have known that it was definitely the gateway to adulthood, and that is kind of sad. Plus, your classmates may truly be going hither and yon, and who knows whether you will see them again?

But then who could have envisioned facebook and all of the other social media sites? Everyone can get in touch with everyone now, and that is pretty comforting.

Sometimes I Miss Working In A Professional Office

It is funny the things you miss. Sometimes what you get tired of is what you miss later. And then you find that again and miss what you left then. I know it seems weird, but it seems to happen, at least in my life. I indicated in my last post that I am not that fond of my job. It is a small blue collar environment. Some might find that refreshing, but I find it limiting. I recently started feeling like I miss a professional office, one where people at least sort of halfway dress up, there is protocol, and a hierarchy where you can complain if your immediate boss doesn't treat you well.

The other day I had to make a stop in an office building and I had that feeling again. Walking past the woman relaxing at lunch near the outdoor fountain made me think--what a nice place to work! Walking inside and going up the elevator felt nice. I am sure that if I were back in such an environment, I might soon tire of it But maybe not.

We Are Down One In Shipping Department

I have my fingers in a lot of pies right now, but I still have my full-time job. But I have gotten to the point that it is the least interesting part of my life. But at least it is a paycheck. I am sure I am not alone in feeling like this. One of my favorite people left the other day, which means I don't have that many favorite people left. Haha.

He worked in shipping, and when he wasn't dealing with packing boxes and pallets and wire ties, he was talking to me and brightening my day. He always knew the latest gadgets and what to order in terms of computers and other tech stuff. He also knew the latest weird news. He is so funny. I know he has a better job, and for that I am happy. But I miss him. And so does everyone else. He was a bright spot in our dull corner of the world.

Becoming A Foster Parent--Part 2--Beginning The Process

I can't believe it was last November when I wrote Part 1 of this series. That is how busy I have been getting ready for my new role as foster parent for my minor relative.

Shortly after responding to the letter from social services asking if I wanted to be considered as a placement for her, and of course saying yes, the ball starting rolling. If successful, it was going to be an interstate placement, which is more difficult than an instate one.

My law degree, especially my juvenile law class, and my previous experience with CASA were invaluable to me during the process. For example, I understood what social services meant when they said they had a dual goal of both return home and placement with a relative. That meant they were first going to try to return her home, and if that didn't work, she would be placed with a relative. Often people don't understand why a social worker would try to return a child back to an abusive home. But it is thought that it is in the best interest to reunite families when possible. Everything is guided by what is considered to be the best interests of the child. The hope is that with counseling and other services, the family can be whole again. Because, who really doesn't want to be with their parents when possible?

What social services wanted to see was the depth of my interest. I said I wanted to take her into my house, but would my actions back that up? For example, they wanted to see if made trips to see her, which in my case involved long distance travel. Would I send her letters and gifts? Would I follow up on other recommendations and requirements of the placement process?

The answer for me was yes. Fortunately I was able to make the trips and complete the requirements, which included marathon phone calls, emails, and paperwork. There was a hurry up and wait aspect to the process, which can't be helped, I guess, because of the mass number of cases in the system.

I  knew I had to take a parenting class, but was unsure of where and when. One day I got a call from my local department of social services saying that my parenting class was to start the next month. There would be 6 class meetings that included homework assignments. I realized I was looking forward to starting this next step.

Can't Wait For Our Trip To Florida

A friend and I and her family and mine are going to Florida together this summer. We can't wait to get down there to eat, swim, and sleep! We haven't traveled together for a while, so that will be fun. We always have had fun going to the beach together. One problem is where everyone is going to sleep. It is a two bedroom condo, and it has a sofa bed, as well as a full bunk bed for boys so I think we will be OK for sleeping arrangements, even though it is going to be tight. Sometimes it is fun to be paced in together. Makes it seem fun and like a big family. I know we will all get even closer after our trip down there There is nothing I like more than traveling with friends.

Need A Work Satchel

I don't often need to tote my work around, but when I do, I feel like I need a better briefcase. Right now, I just use a a plastic one. It is not professional looking, but it is all I need for me. But when I need to carry my work to court or whatever (which really hasn't happened much yet), I will need a better one. I am going to start pricing some--some nice leather ones and maybe even check out a mens leather briefcase or two, and maybe also some of those briefcases on wheels I see lawyers wheeling around. A new briefcase is just one of the many new things I need to get as a lawyer!

Keeping The Zing In Your Life

You can't watch TV for more than an hour, it seems, before you see ads for erectile dysfunction. Seems like everyone in the world must have that problem. Or at least those of a "certain age." I think men can also take
some other kinds of testosterone supplements, and I have seen some of them in the drugstore. Women too can have problems in this area, if you know what I mean. There are different kinds of products that help women get the zing back. Sex is just a regular part of life, and people need to be able to enjoy themselves as long as possible. If everyone could be in a better mood, the world would be a better place. And sex is a great way to get in a better mood!

Attended A WordCamp Recently (And Am Glad I Am Not The Newbie Anymore)

I have gone to several WordCamps over the years (sorry Blogger) and had a nice realization at the most recent one: I am not the newbie anymore.That feels good!

 I find Wordpress more difficult than Blogger, which is very user friendly. I have one wordpress blog, which I have been working on for a while and have struggled with it. Struggled with finding a theme, knowing how to set it up and make it work correctly, etc.. After much trial and error, I  finally have a decent working knowledge, even though I have so much more to learn. But it was nice to go to the daylong meeting and understand a lot of what they were saying.. I used to have no clue, but no more. At least I have a clue now, even though I still have a lot to learn.

Some of the best things about going to these meetings is the people you meet and how alive you feel.  Sometimes everyday life can get cumbersome and boring. I come away from these meetings feeling refreshed and renewed. I have learned something new and valuable, and it is nice to be with like thinkers. And also not to be completely in the dark anymore. At least I am starting to speak the language.

Teens Now Using Twitter More Than Facebook?

I think the new trend among teens is to use Twitter more than Facebook. At least, that is how it seems to me. I have a teenage relative who is now using Twitter all the time, in addition to just texting constantly. Apparently, Facebook is still being used by teens but has taken a backseat. What is the reason? I think they feel that adults are monitoring their facebook pages too much, and they have more anonymity with Twitter. Makes sense I guess. I may be harder to figure out their twitter username if they don't tie it into their real names or some other obvious nickname.

Using LinkedIn As A Recruiting Tool

I appreciate the guest post, Ignacio Phillips Recently when the economy started to go south I was forced to let go several of my employees to keep the business afloat. I was devastated to have to let them go but I had no choice if I wanted to keep my business up and running and the rest of my staff employed. After the economy started to recover a few years later I had to kind of learn how to find employees all over again because it had been so long since I had to make a new hireand in the time that all of that happened there have been some major changes in the way companies recruit new employees now. I found out that the new thing to use when it comes to recruiting new team members is LinkedIn. I had heard of the site before but I wasn’t quite sure what it was about and how to even go about using it. After creating my own profile I started looking for some potential candidates and I found some. Luckily I have www.t1internet.net internet access and was able to get on LinkedIn quickly to find a new employee.

Mom Doing Well After Back Surgery

I know the old saying--don't let anyone cut on your back. I have heard that from relatives and others all my life. Luckily, I have never had back problems, so I have never had to worry about whether to have back surgery or not.

My mother though is in her 70s and has had a stroke before (she recovered beautifully from the stroke though) and then all of a sudden, she started talking about back surgery. What??? I said. She had never complained that much about her back. Her knees are what have bothered her all of these years. Well, apparently, I guess the two can be related, and that maybe her back problem was causing her knee problems??? I will never know, because my mother doesn't pass on details very well, but that is the best I could surmise.

Well, she sailed through the back surgery very well and is of course pain free now. We were all thankful. I know her primary care physician had been skeptical about whether she should have the surgery or not. She showed all of us. Her back surgeon was some kind of new fangled doctor who had invented some procedures or something. I can't explain it. I have read about some new back surgery techniques, but again, I don't know whether those are the ones used in her case. Like I said, she doesn't talk much about details. But, whatever the surgeon did for her, it worked. And we are all so glad.

What Technology Might A New Lawyer Need?

In this day and age, even lawyers, who never have been on the cutting edge technologically, need to know and have the latest gadgets for their office. Many of the technologies they need would be for marketing purposes: a website, blog, facebook page, linked in, etc. But there are some other things out there too that are not marketing related, such as electronic files, and everything online.

One thing that may be helpful to the solo lawyer, and something I am looking into myself, is the virtual office. Where you only have an office when you need it. Keeps costs down. There are times when a solo lawyer or even a bigger firm might need a conferencing service. Maybe your client is out of town and you need to have a conference, or bring a number of people together? Of course, other companies and professions need to use these tools too. But since I am thinking of striking out on my own (more so than I am now--I am just part time now) law as a business is on my mind.

Now I Know That I Am A Real Lawyer: I Have Been Fired Twice (In One Week)

As my headline says, now I know I am a real lawyer. I have been fired. Twice. In One Week!

What the heck happened? Were both of the situation foreseeable? I think so.

One was a disability client, who was kind of problematic from the get-go. Every conversation was a headache. She was edgy all the time. Had a tone in her voice. I knew it was not a great relationship. I decided to grin and bear it. She is of course anxious about getting her money. I told her it would take a while. Not even a year into her case, and she was impatient. Can't blame her, but that is how these cases are. Also, the more I got into her case, the less I was sure she would win anyway. There was weak evidence, and she wasn't honest about what was wrong with her. She wanted to release me. I said OK. I felt a little bad for a while. My mentor said, don't worry. It happens all the time. She might even want to come back. Don't know how I would feel if that turns out to be the case.

Second situation involved a juvenile case. Custody and child support. The mother and father are young and unmarried and squabble all the time. Felt like I was herding cats. I made some progress, but the case got stuck. Could not move it forward, and my client was wanting unreasonable amounts of support. I tried to explain that more than likely, that would not  happen, but my client didn't want to hear that. I offered to withdraw, and they have taken me up on it. So maybe this was not a firing after all?? hmmmm. So I guess, I had one firing and I withdrew from one case this week. That sounds better.In the end, it is better I don't have these two cases. Now I can concentrate on my other clients.

Linked In

Author: Isiah Williams

After ten years with the same company, I recently found myself unemployed. The economic downturn had been very hard on my company, and part of me knew it was only a matter of time before cuts were made, but it still came as a surprise when I was actually notified that I was no longer needed. After the initial sting wore off though, I knew that it was probably for the best. I hadn’t been happy for quite awhile, and took this opportunity to find something that would make me happier. It turns out, though, that the job searching process had changed quite a bit since I was last looking for work! Everything now is so competitive, and a good friend told me that the only way to get my resume in the right hands was to network. So I use LinkedIn for all it’s worth! I connect to everyone I meet, and I’ve started posting compelling articles as I come across them, just to increase people’s awareness of me. The best thing I’ve found in my search is that I can actually do all of this from the park, or a coffee shop, or wherever! I didn’t know this was an option until I did a search one day for 4g Edison. I was really just trying to better understand this new 4G business…and I am so glad I did! I stumbled upon my new favorite internet company. It’s made the job search a lot more enjoyable, since I’m not chained to my home office!

Women And Backpacking

I have not done a lot of backpacking--hardly any actually--but I do have one funny story. I used to date a guy who really liked to hike and camp, and we went quite often. Most of the time, we did not need to use backpacks for hiking--we were just doing day hikes, or we were able to drive to the campsite and unload our gear.

But once, we were going to a campsite well into the woods, we were going to have to hike there. He outfitted me with a backpackm and I couldn't believe how heavy it was! He said it wasn't heavy at all, quite light actually. But to me it was really weighing me down. Somehow I trudged through and made it to the site. On the way back, it was much easier, since we had eaten a lot of the supplies that we had brought with us. Some people love doing this kind of thing, but I had to grin and bear it. I think if I had been a better sport about some of these things, we would still be together today!

Buying Coins As An Investment

I hear a lot on TV about buying and selling gold, and that now is a good time to buy silver coins. I have never done any of that. And I probably will not anytime soon. But I remember a neighbor of mine used to have a coin collection. I used to look at it as a kid and thought it was so neat. He spent so much time on it, and it was quite a complete collection. I am sure that those coins are worth a pretty penny today. It is probably not something I am going to do for a long time, or ever actually, but it is fun to think about. It would be neat to have a hobby like that that could actually grow in value.

Enjoying Live Music A Lot Now

I love my city--there are so many fun things to do, and one of them is to hear live music. As time goes on, I am getting to hear more and more live music. Not just big concerts. I love those, but also live music in more intimate settings. Coffee shops, stores, restaurants, ventues, and even street corners!

I went by one store last week that has started offereing live music. I got there a little early though to actually hear the music; the lead guitar player was using his guitar tuner, and they were not ready to play yet. I looked around the store for a while, but then had to leave. It is a great venue though, so I am planning to go back tonight. The music is good, and it is free to boot! Can't beat that.

Wanting To Keep Up My Exercise On The Road

I have been trying to get into an exercise routine without much luck. I need to workout at least 3 times a week, but I have been lucky to do it even twice a week. I think you need to do it at least 3 times a week to get hooked on it and to get into a routine. Also to see benefits from exercise.

 I am traveling to Virginia later this week and may go to Richmond. If so, I am hoping I can find a richmond gym that I can use. Seems like there are more options for working out now, so maybe I will be able to find someplace that I can use for a few days. Hope so! And my body hopes so too.

Book Club Getaways Are The Best

I am in a book club that meets about every 4-6 weeks, and we have a really good time. We each take turns hosting, cooking dinner and buying the wine. We, of course, discuss the book (at least a little) before we start talking about everything else. All in all, we have a very good time. One of our members invites us up to her country house in another nearby small town, which is an added treat! It is decorated with rustic bedroom furniture and many nice country accents. It is very large and very comfortable. That has made everything extra special for us and has helped us bond into a nice group. We usually do not make that a book club meeting, but just a little fun outing. I always look forward to it.

Remodeling Kitchens Can Help Resale Value

I listened to a radio show today where they were talking about improvements you can make to your house to help it sell better. Those on the show  mentioned that some improvements can increase the chance of a house selling, some can add a lot of value,  while other improvements may not make much difference in sale price or desirability.

For instance, they mentioned that while flooring is nice, it is one of the things that don't help a house sell. Kitchen improvements, on the other hand, help a house's resale value quite a bit.

That is lucky, as the next improvement I want to make is in my kitchen. I need a new sink and am looking as some undermount sinks, as well as other kinds. I have a small budget, so ca only do a little at a time. But a little at a time will end up with some good long term improvements.

RV And Boat Trekking

There is a man in my civic club who takes the most interesting trips. Of course, he is retired, so he has the time to be gone weeks at a time, multiple times a year. He takes two such trips a year: one is a long distance boat trip and the other a long distance RV trip. He comes back and gives a presentation to our club about the trips. Does great power point presentations and makes us all wish we could have gone with him.

Of course, there is a lot of prep that has to go into making such trips. Have to pick the dates, plot the course, save the money, buy the supplies, get everything caught up at home, get someone to watch the house and pets, and do other mundane things such as get an rv insurance quote, insurance on the boat, get repairs, etc.

There is a lot of work and expense that goes into such trips, but what memories and excitement they have going on them!

Want To Keep Electricity Costs Down

Now that I have a dependent living with me, I am working hard at finding out how to reduce costs. Costs of anything and everything. I need to be a better grocery shopper. I need to use coupons. I need to plan meals better. Save on gas, clothes, entertainment, etc., etc., etc. I would also like to get my electricity costs down. The first way would be to not keep the living room lights on all night like I do sometimes. That would be a great start. We are supposed to have low cost electricity in our area of the country, but I don't think we really do. Or at least not anymore. I think it was at one point though. Maybe at one point, someone will deregulate our electricity and that would make it cheaper. Right now, we don't have a choice in provider.

There Are Great Watches Out There Now

I was looking around in one of the nicer jewelry stores in town lately and saw some beautiful watches. Watches that cost upwards of thousand of dollars! Some of the lady sports watches had diamonds on them. That is a pairing I had never thought of--sports watches and diamonds! You could run the 100 year dash wearing it, or scuba dive. Can you imagine that? I have a hard time doing that! I also saw some titanium watches men, along with some other brands, that were also very expensive.
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My worry would be, what if you spend that much money on a watch and lose it anyway? That would be heartbreaking. I guess you could get some insurance to cover it? If not, I wouldn't even go there, because I would be sure to lose it, or have the strap break, and bye bye watch.

Can I Afford A Cleaning Woman?

I work full time and have a couple of part-time gigs, including being a lawyer and a freelance writer. I also try to have a social life. Needless to say, I don't have a lot of time to clean the house. Yet, I like things to be in order and the house to be presentable. I don't have a lot of extra money, but it might be money well spent. I need to research some cleaning services and the costs to see if I can afford it. My place is small, so I might feel silly getting a cleaning woman, but time is money. And I don't have enough time. One of my friends who lives in North Carolina has looked into a cary cleaning service. I don't know if she has actually hired them yet or not. I need to check in with her and see what she thinks. It would help me make my decision.

Carpets Need Upkeep Or They Look Bad

My friend who lives in Chapel Hill has a great new home. It is one of the new open air designs, and it is very comfortable. I have only been there once, but loved it. She works at home, so she gets to enjoy being there a lot. She is very lucky. She is doing a little upkeep to make the house even better. She said her carpets looked grungy so she is going to check out some carpet cleaners chapel hill ncto see how much it would cost to get them cleaned. I know from experience that if you don't get your carpets cleaned regularly, they will look grungy beyond repair. I am trying to remember that now too.

Would Spray Tanning Help Me?

I have never had a spray tan, but one of my law school classmates used to get them all the time. I have vitiligo, which is a skin pigment problem. Where you lose pigment, and your skin goes white. I am fair skinned anyway, so normally it doesn't show, but when I get the least bit of sun, you can see the vitiligo patches. I have medicine t use, two different creams, but one of them is very expensive, so I have slacked off. I need to start again. I would like to get a spray tan to help that problem. I am just not sure if it would help fill in the spot,s or make them more noticeable.

Sprucing Up My Condo

I am looking around to see what I can do to make my condo look better. Being on a budget, I am thinking first about what I can do that doesn't cost very much. Here is my list of what I need that won't cost that much: a new sofa, a white porcelain sink for the kitchen, new water heater,  a door kick plate, and maybe some new carpet to replace the new carpet that I just got, and that the cats have clawed up. Naughty kitties. I have a small carpet area, so it doesn't cost that much, but hey it was still a waste of $700. Money that I don't have. The carpet looks better, only in that it is newer carpet, as opposed to the old carpet I had. New carpet that is clawed. Nice. Maybe the water heater will be next. Good and practical. Then maybe the porcelain sink. That would make my kitchen look so nice. Little by little, it will come together.

Is Suzanne Somers Right?

I have not read Suzanne Somers' book on bioidentical hormone therapy, but I have heard her talk about it on TV, and she sure looks good. She also seems to have stemmed her disease, although I cannot recall what disease it was. I remember it was serious though. Cancer, I think, but am not sure.

I am into looking good and anti-aging techniques, but I have not looked into this therapy yet. I am worried about my skin looking bad and thought I would read up bioidentical hormone therapy austin
and some other sites. Maybe I will even read Somer's book. If there are not any downsides to the therapy, I may end up doing it. Who knows?

Nametags Are Helpful At Meetings!

I am great with names and faces but occasionally fall down when I am meeting someone when I am in a hurry or just otherwise preoccupied. It's embarrassing to me to not know people's names, when I am usually very good at that. It is even worse when it is a recurrirng meeting and there is no excuse not to know someone's name.

That is why nametags are so important. For recurirng group meetings, you might as well get personalized name tags. This saves money in the long run and also makes you feel a little more special than wearing temporary paper nametags. The only problem is that it is also embarrassing to be caught staring at someone's nametag--you feel that people know you don't know their name. So it is good to have the type big enough that you don't have to make it obvious when you look.

So Many Cash Advance Places Out There Now

It is surprising to me (or maybe it isn't) how many cash advance storefronts there are out there now. I can drive down almost any street and at least see a couple. A dry cleaner I used to use is now out of business, and in its place is a title loans store. That industry is huge and seems to be growing every day. With this economy, I am not surprised. I just worry about all of the people in such dire economic straits. I sure hope things improve out there soon. There are a lot of indicators showing that it is. Money problems are not good, and they only add stress to everyone's lives. There are some situations that you can't predict like job loss or illness that can lead to money woes. But everyone needs to learn how to handle money better to prevent getting into some of these scrapes. (Me included.)

Making Money Online

There are many innovative ways to make money online now. If you are a writer, you have a number of options including blogging for triangle direct media and other paid blogging companies. You can also sign up for freelance writing sites, such as elance or odesk. These two sites also have a number of other job categories, including translating, virtual assistance, computer, design, etc. Freelancing has never been easier. I know I am trying to create an online presence.

Going To Visit My BFF In Orlando

About 10 years ago, I saw one of my good friends from high school at a mini reunion and found out that she was divorced and living near me. We rekindled our friendship and have had some great fun! We also were talking about collaborating on some projects like blogs, websites, and other things to ramp up our earnings.

So I was excited, yet sad, when she got married and moved to Orlando. Sad, because I don't see her or even talk to her on the phone as much. And of course our projects have been tabled. But I am excited that she was reunited with the love of her life, and now they are literally in love, and I hope it lasts forever for them. She is an inspiration for those who are afraid that love has passed them by.

She has invited me to come visit, and I may get to stay with them. But, it is predictable, given where they live,  that they are having a lot of visitors, and it is possible I may have to get a hotel room. I am looking into Disney World Hotels, because I would like to visit the park again, and would like to be nearby. And my friend can stay with me in the hotel room if she wants!

I am really excited about going, since it has been a long time since I have been to Orlando. Lots to do and see there now. After I pick my Walt Disney World Hotel, I will concentrate on activities. Want to go to the main theme park, plus go back to Epcot and see Universal, plus a ton of other things. Would like to do a little side trip to the beach as well. I know my friend is up for anything. Can't wait. I don't want the two of us to ever let our friendship lapse again.

Adele On Fire At The Grammys

I am late in the game to knowing about Adele. I had heard her songs, but didn't know the singer. My niece loves Adele, and through her, I have come to really appreciate her. I was glad she received so many Grammys tonight. Her work is exemplary. As one of my friends said, when she hears Adele, it takes her back in time. Her singing is like it is from another era. Good work!

My Zone Wireless Headphones Really Work!

My niece has moved in with me, and there was a problem. I stay up late and watch TV--that is how I relax at the end of the day--and she goes to bed early. I have a small condo, and if I watch either of my TVs, the sound bothers her. If I turn it down low enough so it won't bother her, I can't hear it. I have to strain to listen to it, and that is hardly relaxing. Silly as it sounds, I was getting depressed about it.

I had seen the commercials on TV about the My Zone wireless headphones, and thought that would solve the problem. Rather than just ordering the off the TV, I went to Best Buy to see if they had any. They did, but were sold out. Anxious to get them, I went to Electronic Express. They did not have the My Zone, but sold me some RCA wireless headphones that were $65 with tax. I tried very hard to get them to work, but could not and had to return them. Kept calling Best Buy and they did not know when they would get another shipment. So I ordered them off the Best Buy website.

Got them the other day, and I got them to work in minutes! It only cost me $20+. And they work very well. Sound is great, I was able to walk into the next room and hear the TV very clearly. I haven't walked all around the house yet, but I was so excited that they work, I just had to write about it right away!

Needing To Feel Sexier

I have to admit that I have not been paying attention to my beauty routine as much as I need to.That has taken a back seat ever since I went to law school.  I need to exercise more, get more sleep, relax more, do beauty treatments and feel sexy. I almost have forgotten that in the midst of starting a law career. I have been very happy getting clients and being successful. But you have to pay attention to the personal too!

I started yesterday by getting a long overdue manicure. And my hair trimmed. All in one day! I want to apply the laws of attraction in thinking myself thin (of course I need to work at it too) and attracting love into my life (where I have less control over things). But I want to get a sexy, attractive attitude, which is kind of hard for me. When I wear perfume, it automatically makes me feel sexier, so I think I am going to look for some discount perfumes. I will have to start from scratch in finding a scent for me. But it would make me feel good to find some subtle but sexy perfume. Ooh la la.

Really Glad

Guest post written by Joseph Finch
I'm just really glad to have a job in this economy even though it's not my dream job. My boss is kind of a tyrant and he's constantly e-mailing me at all hours of the night wanting things that I can't exactly do when I'm not in the office. I recently got clear internet so I have access to the Internet via my laptop no matter where I was in town because my boss doesn't seem to feel the need to pay for me to upgrade my smartphone data plan and I'm not about to pay for it myself. I just don't get that some bosses can’t understand the separation between business life and personal life but I guess it's partly my fault for not laying down the law. I need to be more firm with him about what's expected from me and what I'm going to give to this job when I'm not in the office. When times are I'm willing to be a model employee when I walk out I need to actually be off the clock.

Holding My Breath My AC Keeps Working

At my condo building, my AC unit is the oldest. When you go outside and look at my rheem heat pump, you can tell it is the oldest. I have had some close calls in the last couple of years, but it has always gotten fixed. Thank goodness! I just can't afford to buy a new one right now. I don't know when I can, so I keep hoping it chugs along. And it does. I know I will have to shell out some money at some point for a new system, but why fix what isn't broken for long?

Going To Artisan Fairs

One of the things I love to do is go to artisan fairs. We have two in our town--one local one and one with artisans from all over the country. Not only do you get to peruse the fine arts and crafts, but sometimes you get to see the artists at work. Painters painting, potters creating pottery, and welders with their welding gloves, creating their masterpieces. It makes for a fun day, if the weather is not too hot. If I have out of town guests, I take them there for a nice day in the park. I have also gotten many nice gifts at these events. It makes me wish I were an artist. Looks like a nice lifestyle.

1000 Posts!

I have 1001 posts on my blog now. I passed 1000 and did not even notice. Woo hoo! Yay for me! Congrats! Pop the champagne and make a toast. To blogging!

I Love Basketball Season

I don't follow sports much, but I do like basketball. I mostly watch college BBall, and prefer women's games. I have seasons tickets to the womens games at my alma mater and go as often as I can. I haven't watched many pro games lately, but think I might start doing so.

A lot of my friends go to pro games and hear them talking about trying to find tickets and how to swap out tickets.

Ticketamerica.com has basketball tickets for the NBA teams like the oklahoma city thunder and the golden state warriors as well as the los angeles clippers. My brother-in-law is from Los Angeles, so he has been to his share of clippers games.

Basketball always makes for a fun time and peps up the winter months.
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