Of CVs and resumes

Okay okay I have accepted I do need to get a job! I've also accepted that, despite my best efforts, my CV ain't nothing like what's required to get past base one in the US of A. My work experience is fine, the way I present it isn't. Oh and CVs here are resumes................nobody knows what a CV is. So I've invested in getting by resume professionally written (this is a booming business here, complete with associated qualifications and annual award ceremonies). Did some research and chose one of the big players - they actually guarantee you will get interviews within 4 to 6 weeks of using your re.written resume (now that's a powerful promise!). So I've completed my initial free review (by telephone with someone in New York) then signed on to the full monty - complete with 8 page questionnaire, facts and figures abound and, in two weeks, I get a winning resume (written by someone in Texas) - or I better or I will be grumpy. We shall see.
On a different note, Houghton Bay goes on the market this month and will, all things going nicely, be sold early March. HB really was my best attempt at participating in "home making" (a long way from the Brown House for those in the know). Now I hunger for more simplicity - okay a semi-furnished studio apartment, preferably with a gym somewhere and no need to buy a whole bunch of stuff I don't know what to do with anyway. K has promised to provide some interior design assistance - I think in the interests of ensuring that I don't actually end up in something resembling the Brown House. On the upside, this is all very possible as I have been able to check out some places on the net......on the downside - hmmm there isn't one at this point. All contingent on finding a job of course.
Still a heap of snow on the ground, still painting the bunkhouse and still working towards going to San Fran (patience patience as we will the stars to align - or something equally cosmic).

Presidential candidates and more snow

The obsession with the next Presidential election has begun in earnst. Hillary Clinton has finally declared her intention to run. It's a strange process, potential nominees declare there intention to explore the possibility of running! It all involves big bucks and lots and lots of politiking so it will be interesting to watch from inside the border.
This guys also thrown his hat in. He comes across quite well but does seem very young, hasn't been in the Senate long - very very different from Clinton too! People either love her or hate her, no middle ground according to polls.
I don't think the Republicans have come up with anyone yet. The Democrats have a couple of other nominees in the running too so I think they are just trying to freak the Republicans out by bombarding them with "possibles", while the Republicans are struggling to come up with anyone credible.
We've just had another dump of snow too - B&K tell me this is the biggest snow New Mexico has seen in 50 years (love being around when records are set!). It is freaking everyone out though as not everyone in the State is geared up to handle this (including some of the towns that only have one snow plow, that they've never used and don't really have a plan for managing this much snow). Nice from where I sit though.
I am still aiming for San Fran, just have to get a few things organised, meanwhile I am painting the inside of the bunkhouse with Wendy, who manages the stables and the bunkhouse amoung other things. It's a big job I have to say!
Nothing much to report. The second episode of the L-Word was marginally better than the first but not really capturing me yet. New characters have started to arrive but too soon to know if that will work........they haven't really reestablished the old characters yet (see I am not shy I could be a TV reviewer - okay maybe not, too subjective.......).

L-Word Update

As promised............hmmmm so far no new characters introduced and mostly checking in with existing characters - one surprise character revisits tho! Can't help but think that my initial luke warm reaction reflects my own jadedness with "lesbians behaving badly" - I guess without the drama there would be no story (still we have lost our only "happy couple" so someone somewhere needs to develop some kind of half way healthy relationship just, because, well that would be kinda nice to see!). Will wait and see what next week brings - oh and Jenny is still an angsty/whingy pain, I can't quite forgive Tina "her man thing", what the hell is Max all about?, surprise surprise Helena is finely looking like someone you might actually want to have a relationship with, Alice is transformed from slightly psycho wacko (albeit it funny) into slightlytless psycho wacko and noticing other people have problems too, Shane is/remains a train wreck happening before our eyes and Bette needs a slap (virtually of course 'cos we don't do violence) - no sign of Carmen....yet (she may come back with a machine gun - but I don't think we have quite reached "Kill Bill").

Random update

A week can be a long time. We got a second and much bigger dump of snow last week so I spent two days solid shovelling snow. Firstly off the roof of the Adobe (General Store) with Renee and K. Roof leaks so we had to shift it all. Then a second day shovelling snow off one of the decks at the main house (so it doesn't leak.......). Upside was I was actually physically able to do it - not so sure I could have achieved such a feat when I first arrived.
Best missed photo opp had to be when I was out walking the dogs in the snow. Luckie and Duke startled a jack rabbit from under a tree, which then promptly lept over the wall of snow onto the road where Khan and I were standing. I kid you not the jacket rabbit, mid flight and about to land on Khan used its back legs to bounce off her head and sprint off down the road......followed by three equally startled dogs, with Khan in the lead. All happened about two feet from me and was really a "national geographic" moment.
Nancy Pelosi was sworn in as the first female Speaker of the House and gave quite an impressive performance - particularly inviting all the children in attendance to come up and touch the speakers gavel (quite a sweet moment but I get the feeling she's no soft ass!).
Ongoing controversy re.Iraq as Bush's answer seems to be send more troops (20,000 infact) and spend more money - Democrats not impressed and, honestly, where will they get 20,000 troops from? Watching the politics unfold from within the US is fascinating. It never is out of the news and everyday they give an update on the number of US soldiers killed. Given New Mexical is the poorest state in the country alot of the troops hail from here (nice little recruiting initiative) and/or other poor communities. Alot of the cars have ribbons on them with the names of family members serving - startling and a little scary how many there are.
On a different note (and for an artistic giggle) check out the odd spot link on the right hand side - there is some amazing/odd/stylish and very creative stuff featured.
One for the girls: the fourth season of the L-Word starts tonight (2 hr feature). Has had quite a build up here so will let you know how it rolls out..........