December 26, 2014

Book Review: Diary of a Pissed Off Flight Attendant

Katie December 26, 2014 0Comment

I had high hopes for this book. I was hoping that it would be a funny, quick read.  It was not.  In fact, it is one of the worst books I have ever had the privilege of reading.  The flight attendant is a big ol’ bitch and thinks quite highly of herself and her looks.  If she can’t deal with a job where she is working with the public, maybe she should have become a bearded accountant.

She brags about how her and her coworkers will steal items that are left by passengers (some losing their jobs over stolen electronic devices when they are tracked back to them.) How she will send bags meant to go to LA to Seattle if the passenger gets a little bit of an attitude with her (which I’m pretty sure she probably deserves).  I don’t know if she thought that she was trying to be funny by adding “hehehe” here and there, but she was not funny in the slightest.

Overall? AWFUL BOOK. Do not waste your time on it!

I was given a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

A brash, funny, and downright ballsy ode to the ups and downs of life in the air. Diary of a Pissed-Off Flight Attendant is an eye opening, behind the scenes, indiscreet account based on almost two decades of aviation industry experience. Combining a unique blend of hilarious customer antics with the secrets behind the enviable lives of flight attendants and pilots, Diary of a Pissed-Off Flight Attendant provides an all-access pass for frequent flyers and novice travelers alike. Growing up, author Sydney Pearl admired her Aunt Claire’s seemingly glamorous career. Then, Sydney became a flight attendant and found out it was a lot less glamorous and a lot more stressful than she’d thought it would be. Whether admitting to intentionally spilling drinks on passengers, or telling the story of how she unknowingly became “the help”, Sydney Pearl takes you on a gut-busting journey into what really happens above 10,000 feet.

Book Review: Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard on You?

Katie December 26, 2014 0Comment

Brothers Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard On You? Is a memoir by George Clinton.  It starts with George recalling his earliest memory – a bomb during WWII when he was 4 years old.  He also mentions that legend has it he was born in an outhouse, though he’s unable to prove it.  His father instilled in him hard work and his mother instilled in him her love for music.

He was living in NJ in the 50s and he says that was a breeding ground for music. He was not only fascinated by the song but also how songs were marketed.  I also liked how he talked about the different musical eras through the years – doowop to motown to funk.

I really liked reading about his life and the lyrics for situations that were inserted throughout the book.

The end of the book not only had George’s discography but also a “sampleography” which is something I had not seen before which listed all the songs that sampled any of George’s songs! There were quite a few on this list that I was familiar with, even though I probably couldn’t have told you any of George’s songs off hand before reading this.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

The long-awaited memoir from one of the greatest bandleaders, hit makers, and most influential pop artists of our time—known for over forty R&B hit singles—George Clinton of Parliament-Funkadelic.

George Clinton began his musical career in New Jersey, where his obsession with doo-wop and R&B led to a barbershop quartet—literally, as Clinton and his friends also styled hair in the local shop—the way kids often got their musical start in the ’50s. But how many kids like that ended up playing to tens of thousands of rabid fans alongside a diaper-clad guitarist? How many of them commissioned a spaceship and landed it onstage during concerts? How many put their stamp on four decades of pop music, from the mind-expanding sixties to the hip-hop-dominated nineties and beyond?

One of them. That’s how many.

How George Clinton got from barbershop quartet to funk music megastar is a story for the ages. As a high school student he traveled to New York City, where he absorbed all the trends in pop music, from traditional rhythm and blues to Motown, the Beatles, the Stones, and psychedelic rock, not to mention the formative funk of James Brown and Sly Stone. By the dawn of the seventies, he had emerged as the leader of a wildly creative musical movement composed mainly of two bands—Parliament and Funkadelic. And by the bicentennial, Clinton and his P-Funk empire were dominating the soul charts as well as the pop charts. He was an artistic visionary, visual icon, merry prankster, absurdist philosopher, and savvy businessmen, all rolled into one. He was like no one else in pop music, before or since.

Written with wit, humor, and candor, this memoir provides tremendous insight into America’s music industry as forever changed by Clinton’s massive talent. This is a story of a beloved global icon who dedicated himself to spreading the gospel of funk music.

Book Review: Origami Stars

Katie December 26, 2014 0Comment

I am always looking for fun crafty things to do and add to my scrapbook, so when I saw a book all about how to make Origami Stars, I needed to check it out!  The book is broken down by the number of points the star has ranging from 3-8+.  They are also ranked by how difficult they are to make, using, of course, a star ranking system where 1 star is simple, 2 stars is intermediate and 3 stars is complex.  There are pictures of all 37 of the stars listed in the book in the index so you can easily pick out which one you would like to make and then flip to the pages with the instructions!  There is also a guide to the origami symbols which was great because while I’ve done origami in the past, I didn’t really remember much about how to do it. I needed the refresher!  There are also some how to’s on folding and what the basic folds are.  This is definitely a book I’ll be referencing again and who knows, maybe you’ll see a star or two in my future scrapbook posts!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review,  I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Explore a fabulous galaxy of stars to become master of the origami universe! This guide features 40 original star patterns, each of them two-dimensional and cut from a square. The models range from simple to advanced, although none are overly complicated. The fun and elegant folding sequences produce striking stars that can be used as decorations and awards.
The stars offer a varied number of points and interesting designs that include color, woven, and kaleidoscopic patterns. Full-color photos illustrate such patterns as the Kaleidoscopic Star, Map Compass, Radioactive Star, and the Sun.

Book Review: Super Job Search IV

Katie December 26, 2014 0Comment

Super Job Search IV is an updated version helping you on your job search. The book is broken up in to 3 parts and includes 7 steps.  Some of the tips include that outstanding candidates get the best offers. How to budget. Taking what skills you have and figuring out what kinds of jobs they could be applied to.  A note that you should list your accomplishments on your resume. A list of action words to use with your resume.  How to use recruiters to your advantage, how to use networking to your advantage. The book closes out with sample resumes and sample letters.

I always seem to think that there is something wrong with my resume.  It just doesn’t really seem to get me noticed for the jobs that I am qualified for (or that I think I am qualified for) this book helped me figure out what some pieces that I need to work on and update with my resume and the samples were helpful as well.  With any luck I can use what I learned in this book and take the steps necessary to get my dream job!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Introducing the all-new, revised SUPER JOB SEARCH IV.

Here’s a manual that has helped hundreds of thousands of men and women learn the secrets behind a successful career change. Whether you are about to embark on your first job search or are in mid-career or even seeking to re-enter the job market after being away – SUPER JOB SEARCH IV will guide you through each step of the way to land the best of all possible jobs.

“If Yoda had written about mastering the job search ‘Force’ this would be it. My experience in healthcare leadership allows me to appreciate the genius and comprehensiveness of Studner’s knowledge plus the distilled practicality of this work. He hands you decades of winning experience in an expertly organized format that navigates job search with strategies for immediate use.” –Leon Directo, Director, Dignity Health

“Excellent, easy to follow book on job hunting and beyond. It takes the fear out of finding employment and is encouraging and concise.” – Danielle Kerins, Reviewer, GoodReads.com

“Super Job Search IV tops the list for state-of-the-art techniques in tune with today’s tricky social and media networking. Using these techniques made me an outstanding candidate, landing a super job. Provides every tool plus online resources you’ll ever need.” – Steve Finney, General Manager, Quiksilver

“Super Job Search IV is a must-have for anyone recently out of work, or looking to make a switch. It helped me land a dream job 20 minutes from home in a tough job market. For the best job-search advice anywhere, get this book.” – Aileen Zeidman, HR Manager, St. Joseph Center

SUPER JOB SEARCH IV is a complete self-directed outplacement manual. The 7-Step Program will show readers how to:

– Plan their campaign to go after jobs that exist and will be sustainable in the future.

– Optimize their job search and streamline their online efforts, so they don’t waste time and energy.

– Rethink and maximize their accomplishments; pinpoint their transferable skills.

– Write a resume that is effective, flexible, and will get past keyword screeners. The book includes more than 50 sample resumes, e-mails, and cover letters.

– Use social media to get to companies and people they need to meet.

– Learn scripts to make phone calls go easier. (Because phone interviews remain a key part of job search.)

– Master all types of interviews.

– Conduct win-win salary negotiations.

– ADDED PLUS! For those who may want to start their own business, Part III of SUPER JOB SEARCH IV is a mini-book that explains all the steps, including links to free advice on business and financial plans.

SUPER JOB SEARCH IV is interactive and open-ended, with tons of resources at the reader’s disposal online at SuperJobSearch.com and the superjobsearch app. The book will be available in eBook and hardcopy formats (release set for November 2014).