Wednesday, December 19, 2007

6 more days till Christmas..............



Four Ways to Make Job Resolutions Work
by Caroline Levchuck

Every January, millions of people make New Year's resolutions, many of which are work-related. Get a new job. Get a promotion. Get a raise.
Unfortunately, many of these vows will fall by the wayside before the end of the first month of the year. Folks lose momentum. Some get overwhelmed. And others lose their nerve. Use these tips to make your resolutions a lasting reality in 2008.
1. Be Clear About Your Intentions
Terry Wilson-Malam, a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), believes that all resolutions must be born out of clarity if people are going to stay the course. She counsels clients to be as honest as possible about what they want. If you're not sure of what your intent is, Wilson-Malam suggests, "Start a log of your accomplishments, small and large over the past few years. Those things will tell you where you are and where you can go next."
Also, ask yourself what you want more and less of. Do you want more flexibility? Less stress? More responsibility? Fewer meetings? Keep a list of your intentions, as they will inform the action you need to take.
2. Make a Plan with Actionable Steps
"An action plan is absolutely imperative," says Wilson-Malam, owner of Wilson Malam Coaching and Consulting. Create a plan that works toward your goal, whether it's growing your network or looking for new work. Then, she advises breaking the plan down into actionable steps. "Focus on small steps that are realistic. If your plan is to network, choose events that you'll go to, but choose them carefully to make sure they are in line with your overall intentions."
The executive coach adds, "Getting promoted is a bit harder to be actionable about as compared to finding a new job. But you can learn to be in the right frame of mind -- think and act like a manager in certain situations at work to help you move toward your goal."
3. Measure Your Results
Results motivate changers to stick to their plans, so it's very important that you see measurable results as you adhere to your resolution. However, Wilson-Malam, says, "You have to be very clear as to what those results will be." This stems from having a straightforward plan of action and clarity on what you want to accomplish.
"Being able to tick off things from your action list can even be a result," she adds.
4. Stay Focused
It's easy to start the year with the best of intentions only to lose your nerve as your goal is within sight. Wilson-Malam says, "If you've been in a job for a long time, it's really easy to hate it but love what you know about it. A new search and a new job often mean more work and more time and going out of your comfort zone."
To muster courage, she urges job-changers to go back to their list of intentions. "If you look at that list and it reminds you that you're stagnating, that will make you less afraid of changing now."
She also suggests enlisting the help of a trusted confidante, a mentor, or a coach who can cheer you on and remind you why you undertook this challenge in the first place.


Calls for buying less this season
by TIM FUNK
On this, one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year, let me tell you what I saw last weekend when I showed up for Mass at St. Peter's Catholic -- my regular church -- in uptown Charlotte.
Better yet, let me show you what I saw:


St. Peter's had plastered copies of this poster on glass doors leading to the sanctuary, along with an invitation to come to the church meeting hall "for a socially conscious Christmas."
Hundreds were intrigued enough to come by after Mass. They grabbed up copies of catalogues filled with info on how to make financial gifts to mostly local charities in the name of those somebodies on their Christmas lists. They also picked "ornaments" off an Angel Tree, thereby promising to buy a Christmas present for a poor child or adult.
Clint Hunsche, the church's director of religious education, said the message was simple: "Rather than buy another stupid sweater or a bottle of perfume for a loved one who doesn't need it, why not do something to make a difference in the world?"
Hunsche downloaded the poster from a Mennonite Web site. Another of their posters: "Santa Came/Jesus Wept."
Check them out at http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/.


Unfortunate accident....

This week there was a fire at this house in the am. Click here for the story:http://www.charlotte.com/news/story/410360.html.charlotte.com/news/story/410360.html
We still do not know the cause for the fire. Our condolences goes out to this family of 3. Thank God they were not at home and the 2 firefighters are ok that was trapped in the garage when it collapsed. We would like to give donations to this family. They lost 99% of their items. So anything will help. They have a 2 year old daughter. Please email us at professionalswagga@gmail.com to arrange pick up.


Yum Yummy................
These desserts are highly recommended by P.S. So if you can't make it home to taste your grandmother dessert or if you have to bring a dish, or you just do have time to make that dessert please give my girl a call for a delicious treat. Oh and that peach cobbler is head and head with my grandma cobbler.

“A Taste of Home For The Holidays by Chudney”
Enjoy Southern Home Made Desserts This Holiday Season

“Like Mama Used To Make” Peach Cobbler Large $22 Small $15

“Bubbling Brown” Apple Cobbler Large $22 Small $15

“Sweeter Than Ricky Drew” Cherry Cobbler Large $22 Small $15

“To Hell With My Diet” Strawberry Crème Dessert Large$22 Small $18

“Too Good To Be True” Luscious Lemon Dessert Large $22 Small $18



Poetry for the soul........
Do Not Lose Heart
Therefore we do not lose heart.
Though outwardly we are wasting away,
yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
For our light and momentary troubles
are achieving for us an eternal glory
that far outweighs them all.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,
but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18


Today's Quote....
If you have one eye on yesterday, and one eye on tomorrow, you’re going to be cockeyed today.-Anonymous


Word of the day
tocsin \TOCK-sin\, noun:
-An alarm bell, or the ringing of a bell for the purpose of alarm. or a warning.

Entertainment Blast........

If you didn’t attend the last “Pop Life” party of the year at Prevue last night, you really missed out on a fantastic end to a great year! We were so impressed with the turnout and met a lot of interesting people. Be sure to check it out next year. It’s all about networking, people!!!


Local Talent
Troy Whitehurst is an up and coming filmmaker, actor, and consultant. Check out the trailer for his new movie, A Victim of Circumstance, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mztyDPQSRE. This emotionally charged feature looks to build on the awareness of domestic violence and the effects it has on the community. Power 98’s Tone X is also a part of the cast. The movie will be screened at upcoming film festivals nationally.


Okay, you asked, and we delivered!! Coming soon from P.S., Thursday Night Meet and Greet. We love to promote diversity in the community and also have a great time doing it. We will keep you informed and promise to send all of our readers a special invite!



Go get "Growing Pains", Mary J Blige. This time she has mastered her skill. Great present for all the "Grown Women" in your life.








"SuperHead" a rapper? Eddie Murphy has a new record label and has signed Ms. Karrine. I guess he didn't hear her on king Magazine mix tape. She sucks.

http://www.king-mag.com/online/?p=4177




Weather in Mecklenburg

This Afternoon
Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain. Highs in the lower 50s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.

Tonight
Cloudy. A chance of rain in the evening...then rain likely after midnight. Lows around 40. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Friday
Cloudy. A chance of rain in the morning. Highs in the mid 40s. Northeast winds around 10 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 50s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night
Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 40s.

Sunday
Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Highs in the lower 60s.

Sunday Night and Monday
Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s. Highs in the mid 50s.

Monday Night
Cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s.

Christmas Day through Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 40s. Lows in the lower 30s.




P.S. We give you what you crave, not just what you want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Only one more day to the weekend!!





On Monday, December 10, Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison in relation to the charges of financing dogfighting and killing non-aggressive dogs. Vick appeared in a Richmond, Virginia courtroom for the 90 minute sentencing hearing and told the judge that he used poor judgment and accepted responsibility for his actions. He could also be facing additional jail time, as he has not yet been to court on the state charges. I know there are plenty of dog lovers out there, but let’s be realistic. This past weekend, there was a huge fight in Las Vegas, featuring Floyd Mayweather and Ricky Hatton. Boxing is right up there with dogfighting as a brutal “sport”; the difference is that none of the men are put to death when the fight ends. But are the people who bet on fighting ever arrested for “financing” boxing? Are the promoters ever charged with a crime? If (God forbid), one of the men who fought this weekend died, would the other be charged with murder? The jury in this case should have looked at this case in its entire context. I’m not condoning any of Michael Vick’s actions, but I definitely don’t think he should have to spend potentially over 2 years of his life in prison for dogfighting. Some people don’t even get that much time for the aforementioned charge of murder. Of an actual human being.

"For the very first time in my life, I feel compelled to stand up and to speak out for the man who I believe has a new vision for America."
- Oprah Winfrey


Oprah Winfrey joined Barack and Michelle Obama at free public rallies in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina this past weekend.
In total, they electrified nearly 70,000 people across three states and brought thousands of new volunteers into our crucial early-state operations. Oprah's public support has attracted a lot of attention and created a tremendous opportunity to reach out to people who otherwise might not hear Barack's message of change. This is also an opportunity for you to become informed, no matter what candidate interests you, or whoever you end up voting for. We all need to get informed and be prepared when we vote; it’s a right that is not exercised enough by young people. For information on this weekend’s rallies, please check out Obama’s website: http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/73a1cb28692f6b42/nWDumC/



Entertainment Blast......

Ike Turner, best known to us from his portrayal by Lawrence Fishburne in the movie “What’s Love Got To Do With It”, has died at the age of 76. His career was characterized by drug abuse and rock-and-roll music. He was credited for discovering Tina Turner, who later became his wife and claimed that he physically and mentally abused her. Ms. Turner declined to comment on Ike’s death (ya think?!)






Okay, we really DON’T love New York, but she sure does make for some interesting “news”. Now Ms. Big Apple is supposedly pregnant. Wow. No shock factor here, hasn’t she slept with every man who has been on the show? Maybe she should have held off on the boob job so she could order plenty of paternity tests when the baby comes!!!! The top 4 contestants are:
1. Chance—Ya’ll see how she brought him and his lame brother back on the show to “evaluate” the houseguests? Whatever. She wanted to pick him last season, but was scared of her dad, um, I mean her mom.
2. Chance’s brother—She keeps it in the family, and he DID cry for her when she eliminated him.
3. Buddha—He’s probably the only one big enough to handle her, plus he’s also got boobs to help with the breast feeding!
4. Midget Mac—Just because that would be HILARIOUS!


uh O uh O uh O..............Dont mess with B mutha. B and Mrs Tina was doing an interview in Chicago because house of Dereon is opening in store boutique in Macys on State street. When the interviewer started asking about why they make sizes that no one can wear, commenting that the clothes are hot but no one can fit them. Ms Knowles went off on the interviewer and cut the interview short. J lo must be smiling because she keeps stating that the copied her designs and that is why they are doing well. Dont hurt them Queen B's!!!!!!!!!!


Ashanti please buy your sister a entire outfit!!!! Why is she wearing a shirt as a dress??










Now how cute is this couple...........yeah right. But they are standing a little too snug.



Whats hot in the QC?????????? Check out P.S. Preferred List
Thursday
Ladies Night out @ V on the 4th - "A&J Entertainment"
Marini @ Rustic Martini - Klazzy.com (616 N. Tryone)
Friday
Red Carpet Affair @ Harry & Jeans - A Town Ent
Saturday
Sunday
Annual Christmas Party @ Loft 1523 - Execuitve Entertainment


P.S…We give you what you crave, not just what you need!!!

Friday, December 7, 2007

Because This Must All End!!





We want to pay our respects and extend our condolences to the families of Sean Taylor and Chad “Pimp C” Butler. We were greatly saddened by the news of their deaths, as we know you all were. These are men whose lives were extinguished too soon, and this is the phenomenon we have unfortunately forced ourselves to deal with. Black people have waged war on each other. Most of us have personally and painfully experienced a young man taken from this world too soon by violence. We kill each other and ourselves. This must all end. I want someone to email and tell me if you didn’t immediately think that Sean Taylor was killed by a black man when you first heard the story. An apparent attempted robbery gone bad, and maybe a conspiracy theory? Tell me that you think Pimp C died of natural causes. Without toxicology evidence that won’t be back for at least 6 weeks. At the age of 33.
We are two Black women who are blessed to be able to write this blog every week. I love Black men from the bottom of my heart. Without them, we wouldn’t be here, have the strength we do, or have much of a future. We need them, cherish them, want to stop what has been the trend for over 300 years, which is Black on Black crime that especially targets Black men. Young men who never reach their prime. Men whose goals become getting their college degrees in prisons instead of colleges. This is a genuine appeal to every man reading this blog today. Please. Value each other as you do yourselves. Value your own life because you matter to someone, whether you know it or not. Make your life worth everything it is meant to be. Think.



On so many lighter notes….
See below for what’s happening in Charlotte this weekend.

December 7

1St Friday hosted by Lebron James @ NV Lounge, 209224 Torrence Chapel Rd., Cornelius, NC

13th Annual Jingle Bell Ball @ Mint Museum of Art, Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC

December 8


2nd Annual Holiday Party, hosted by The National Black MBA Association and the Urban League of Central Carolinas Young Professionals @ The Levine Museum of the New South, Uptown, Charlotte, NC

“The Power of Us” hosted by The Charlotte Steering Committee of the National Black Justice Coalition @ The Wadsworth House, 400 South Summit Avenue, Charlotte NC

“Undefeated” Mayweather and Hatton @ Jillian’s, 200 East Bland Street, Charlotte, NC



P.S… We give you what you crave, not just what you need!!