FromClaygary

Scarlett, I don't actually know what those are (other than food of oourse), but EVERY city has somewhere that feeds homeless people that will take donations of food. Perhaps that's an option?

Yes, but up here it would be literally illegal even to ASK...and they could be reported for doing so. (Not that that would get you the job!!) Well, I did get SOME good news just now..... .....I just got an email from my HR girl to tell me that they are paying out my OT hours at time+1/2. I didn't actually expect that, as I am not really entitled to overtime, just time in lieu....so Of course....I haven't seen it yet! But at least she's been able to weasel the # of hours out of my boss, which she hadn't before today. She is also paying my car allowance for the severance period!! I NEVER expected that! But they consider it part of the benefits package, so......

tribeca, our FCA auction has not yet taken place I was on the organizing committee, and still have the information; but I think a few things happened, probably: 1. We needed people to help, and not many had the time at that point. 2. Another B/A group was and still is doing auctions on ebay, so it was a bit redundant just then. 3. BAF's name change came up I'm still able and willing! Couchie, maybe when you get back, you could jump in here and correct me?

Me neither! I think we're just not evil enough. Let me know if you would still like it, or if you're good with what was here.

Bwahahahaha! Sorry. Two weeks notice seems to be de riguer. Any package that comes with that is generally as little as the company can get away with and keep the departee from suing. Just had my resume submitted for another job - where my hopes die is when I am asked when I graduated from high school. I have de-aged my resume - "Over 20 years experience" is better than what evidently reads like "from 1812 to 1903, I taught CICS even though computers were not invented as yet." Re the government agency and severance packages.....LOL....exactly! And it's a very fine line. Sounds like you and I are in the same boat djs; I've "de-aged" mine as well. Up here it would be illegal to ask when you graduated, though....and isn't it there as well?

Oh, couchie, I don't think you look stupid at ALL! Surviving at a job where you're unhappy every day is SO hard on the stress level, it's just crazy to stay.....and the good news is, from what we hear up here, you're through the worst of the "depression" (which in my mind was created by the media). Things are already looking up. Having worked at a temp agency for a while, I would definitely pursue that option. We worked hard (you have NO idea how hard....) to find our clients jobs at the best salary possible. Also, agencies, decent ones, have a finger on the pulse of the job market and will creatively market you to opportunities that you might not even consider for yourself. Often, they will also offer assistance with resume-writing, upgrading of your skills in necessary softwares etc etc. Do NOT, though, EVER sign on with an agency that wants money from you.....SCAM ALERT!! Reputable agencies get their revenue from the employer. At the moment, I feel like I'm really spinning my wheels; I was supposed to sign off on my severance yesterday, but one of the items in the legal agreement asks me to acknowledge that I have receved all the $ owing to me...and I have received nothing. Nada. Bupkuss. So there ain't no chance in hell I'm signing that baby. I have also not received a Record of Employment, which is the paperwork you need up here in order to apply for Unemployment Benefits. The HR rep I'm working with is OK with that, and has provided me something in writing to say so (unasked) which I thought was good of her, even though I would have asked for it if she hadn't. I'm kind of seeing, though, that I may have trouble getting the money owed to me for overtime hours worked etc....and that just makes me want to puke. I SO just want to get on with my life and leave this behind!! Hopefully....I'm "borrowing trouble" as my Dad would have said. Ahhh.....onward! I sent out my first (redone) resume yesterday....which promptly came back to me through the Mail Failure!! Good Gawd. What next. I've verified the email address, and it is correct....so the company is posting an email address for applications that doesn't work. THAT's a good sign!! Oh....yeah.....and I went to have my eyes checked last night, before my benefits run out....and I have to go see a specialist, the optician believes I have fairly advanced macular degeneration. Great!! What next???! Enough whining...on to the resumes!

Claylove, I have the LWLHD CD....I'll scan it for you tomorrow and send you a jpeg. ETA: Man, I don't watch much TV....but Criminal Minds I see every now and again almost by accident.....YIKES!! What a terrifying (in a good way) show!

Friday night dinner? 5:30 PM, ESM on Wonderland. On FB, and you should have gotten an email from FB...or PM gdg.

Oh!! smacksforehead I'll say it was the Photoshop that threw me....yah, we'll go with that. It's Paintshop Pro X from Corel. It is a photoshopping software yes, but not Adobe. I'll try to remember to bring it with me next weekend. If you think about it, send me an email and remind me....

Wake me up, canfly? I don't remember this.....CRS setting in apparently. I've never used Photoshop....I did just get a trial version of Corel Painter...but it's just a trial, I don't have the CD.

Well, I've done some internet-ing this morning, and both the 101 cafe and Tyr na nog look like EXcellent choices for our breakfast after the Gala. Good hunting job, jmh123 and claylove! I have sent off a couple of emails (calling a restaurant is always a crapshoot....) and hope to hear back quickly.... Regarding one of our questions, Tyr na nog we know is accessible, and 101 Cafe looks like it is~you access the second floor from another building which I would presume has elevators, as it is a condo building. But I did ask both parties. Will advise as I know more!

It is SO hard when our furry kids encounter all these obstacles....but I'm so proud of you both for returning the love to Archie. Sending him healing light. That picture is an absolute hoot!! "Yo, Momma, Wot you doin' there?" He DOES have such an expressive face!

Don't give up! There's still the Sheraton! But I'm right there with ya on the Marriott!

Oh, you guys are good!! Good catch re the 2nd floor accessibility, claylove! I will ask at all locations, altho' as I recall, Tir na nog is a single floor.

Awesome, thank you! I'll email them tomorrow!! Too bad it's not til 11 AM....but we might have to go with that. I wonder if they would consider an earlier start? Hmmmmm......

Done!! ......I'll bring the sausages! We'll stage a sit-out in protest against the Marriott!! In THEIR parking lot! ETA: that's what we're probably looking at at the Sheraton, kimiye....I wouldn't trust the Marriott for that.

Yes, I agree....there is a restaurant, but the hotel rate would indicate the hotel isn't all that. Well, at this point....I guess it's wait to see what the Sheraton says, and then go from there.

jmh or claylove, what about the Clarion? It's at 320 Hillsborough..... ETA.....looks like 7 long blocks...quite a walk for some people.

(((claylove))) No, I'm not at all surprised either....remember trying to get into that dining room with gmb last year? Good Gawd. That's why I didn't just "trust" that it was taken care of, and kept checking....thank goodness. I do have an email in to the Sheraton....my remembrance of the Grove Cafe is that it seated about 20-30 people though....and I suspect that our taking it over completely (we are 52 currently) would not be appreciated. It was busy in 2007, I remember, in the AM as it is the only resource for people staying at the hotel. There was another option listed at the Sheraton....the Club Room? I've asked them about that, or for other suggestions. I have a printed-off list of downtown restaurants from the Tourism Raleigh site; it shows a few that do breakfast. Here's the list, cuz I know you know better than I do! 101 Lounge & Cafe in Moore Square Big Ed's City Market Restaurant (City Market) Cafe Carolina and Bakery on Fayetteville Lighthouse Restaurant on Fayetteville Manhattan Cafe " I was thinking it might be problematic that it's Sunday....they might do breakfast during the week, but not on the weekend. Any thoughts? ETA: jmh123, exactly.....that's what I was thinking. Are there other large hotels downtown that might have a restaurant? (back to the tourism site....)

You've probably already got this happening...but the only thing I can think of is to create another column...put your formula (column X * 1.10) in it and drag it down....then copy/paste values in the NEW column so it isn't depending on the old one....and delete the old one. ETA: oops, just noticed you needed a PM....done.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! EXACTLY what I needed today, to see Clay's smiling face! Looks like they had fun! They look so disgustingly normal I'm glad he has the opp to do things like that somewhere he's not always recognized. ETA: what's with our guy in the sweater and long jeans....and the rest in shorts and T's??? Several of us let Aron know of our experiences with this hotel last year, which were also baaaaaad. I'm HOPING the hotel comp'd them for the venue this year, they screwed up so bad last year. If there's an opportunity to let Aron know about our experience without sounding like the cranky old bag I am (cuz, after all, it isn't anythng to do with BAF) I definitely will.

Oh, I'm emailing at this point....but thanks for the offer! I do have a long distance plan, so unless I get put on hold interminably it's not a big deal. I think the wedding folks likely are doing the same thing we were~a post-event breakfast. So there'll be a wedding party AND the Gala at the hotel on Saturday night! That should be just heaven. Or not. I can't begin to tell you how disgusted I am with this hotel.

Hey, it's not your doing. Let's not forget it--I'll help you work on a location. ETA: I think the Sheraton is the best bet. It's within walking distance, and I've been to events there before. It's nice. They have two restaurants and also can do private events: Sheraton Raleigh. Thanks for the offer of help, jmh123! I did think of the Sheraton, as we were there for the Gala 2 years ago and they seemed much better than the Marriott...but I had only seen an open restaurant which held about 20 people (and served breakfast) and the bar there...I'll have a look at the link, it's entirely possible we just didn't see others. ETA.....I had to laugh a bit, the Grove Restaurant is the one I'm referring to that holds about 20 people...and their picture makes it look like it holds hundreds! But the Club Lounge looks like it might just work....I've sent an email. Cross your fingers.

Yes, that's pretty much exactly what I got too....28 weeks, as long as I sign a document saying I will not sue, will not compete. And I suspect for much the same reason. When I accepted this transfer, HR insisted I be paid at the rate I was at at the time (which was higher than the job rate normally) and I've received increases all along. They will pay out my stocks (which they must, as they're in an RRSP=RIF in the US) but I don't know if that includes the company portion or just my contributions, which would cut it in half. The problem with 28 weeks, which I'm sure you experienced....is that they pay it out all at once, so you're taxed on that amount as if it was one paycheque...so you lose 2/3 of it to income tax. I'm on my own, of course, so entirely dependent on me....and yes, I can apply for Old Age pension, but it would come at a reduced rate. They prorate it depending on when you apply, and I'm not sure I want to impact the amount I would receive at 65, which would be little enough to manage on. Unfortunately, I don't have that option as you qualify based on your last year's gross income from your tax return...which would put me RIGHT out of the ballpark. I've spoken to several legal firms this morning...but they are all SOOOO rude!! I'm just appalled. I wouldn't want to deal with them. You're basically not allowed to tell them anything but your name unless you pay, is what I've discovered. Thanks so much for all the support!! I really, really appreciate it more than you can imagine. I don't want to bother my kids with this, and I'm not having fun just yet.

Heads-up for the Gala Breakfast attendees: Not having a good day here..... After numerous (more than 4 long distance telephone calls and at least 6 emails, with no response) attempts to get a commitment from the Posta Tuscan Grille regarding our reservation for the morning of October 18th following the Gala....I have finally been able to contact the hotel General Manager and they have booked a wedding in our time slot. It seems clear to me that they took our reservation "on spec"...and when they got a better offer, they dumped us without even having the common courtesy to notify me. I have NO idea why BAF deals with this hotel; this is exactly the kind of "service" we got last year. I apologize to everyone for this misadventure... For those who are still interested in doing a breakfast.....shall I look for another location? Or should we forget it? If you could give me some feedback, it would be helpful; and if anyone has any ideas as to a suitable location, that would be a huge help as well. I'm not very familiar with downtown Raleigh. Again, my apologies!! What a screwup!