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LinkedIn Pay it Forward Day

/ Susan Scrupski / 1 Comment

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If you’re of a certain age, you know what it’s like to live through company layoffs. It’s pure hell. Paranoia lays a weird filter over every intra-company experience. If you know someone who got laid off, you just feel awful for them. At least I do. With the economy pumping out more and more bad news, the likelihood that you or someone you know will be laid off increases every day. TechCrunch has even started tracking the demise in the tech sector. So. What I suggest is we take a pro-active step in making the transition a little smoother for at least one person (more is better!) in our social network– should it unfortunately happen to them.

I’d like to establish Wednesday, October 29, 2008 LinkedIn Pay it Forward Day. It’s simple, choose one person in your social network and write a LinkedIn recommendation for them on that day. Everyone has worked with someone in their network who is deserving of a positive recommendation. The randomness of the recommendation will make it satisfying for you and the recipient.

There’s not much we can do collectively to arrest the hemorrhaging in our economy, but we can take a few charitable actions to assist others who are affected by it.

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Election Musings

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The first presidential debate was held last night.  I didn’t dislike John McCain until last night.  I realize I’m not his base– far left from it, but I thought he was definitely the best of the worst we could end up with if a Republican won in November.   McCain’s antagonistic performance last night reminded me of what I dislike most about conservative Republicans– they’re mean.  Sounds juvenile, but it’s that angry edge they bring to rational debate and their callous aggression that turns me off.   Of course, I’m generalizing and stereotyping, but this has been my experience.McCain also seemed crotchety last night too.  I was suddenly aware of his age.   He was born in 1936;   that’s before World War II.  He graduated high school before I was even born— and I’m a grandmother!His age troubles me.  The Sarah Palin decision troubles me.  His complete ignorance on all things 21st century technical annoys me.We’ve been listening to Obama’s, “The Audacity of Hope” on CD in the car for the past few weeks.  The contrast between these two men is profound.   In my opinion, Obama is the best candidate I’ve ever had the privilege of supporting.  I’m pleased that my 18-year old daughter who is voting for the first time in this election has such a remarkable and inspiring individual to usher her into civic life.

Speaking of extreme makeovers…

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So, I’ve decided to do something about “the Fat thing.” In my “8 things you don’t know about me” post, I mentioned someday I’d get around to making the vanity investment. That time is now. I’ve been incredibly inspired by a blogger, Jennette Fulda a.k.a. PastaQueen, who chronicled her spectacular weight loss journey online on a blog. She’s since written a book, which I’ve purchased and am enjoying thoroughly. Jennette lost over 200 pounds the old-fashioned way: eating well and exercising. I figure why try to improve on her success? I’m going to do exactly everything she did… short of moving to Indianapolis. It’s going to be a long haul, but ohwell. My life is fairly boring day-to-day anyway, so this will enable me to invest my energy in something which will yield a positive result in many ways.I also started a Social Network on Ning for anyone in Austin interested in trying (or currently on) the South Beach Diet. I’m hoping that my use of social tools will make the journey more enjoyable. I need to lose over 100 pounds (shock horror!), but I began the diet 10 days ago and have already lost 14 pounds, so I’m on my way.Take a look at this clip on NBC. I’m trying really hard not to worship her (but I am following her on Twitter)!

Jennette Fulda on NBC’s Today Show from PastaQueen on Vimeo.UPDATE: 7/7/09  It’s been nearly a year since I posted this. I had some good success with SBD. I lost about 25 pounds. Somewhere heading into the holidays, I gave up the fight.