Movie Interlude

So when I was a kid, I was a bit of a late reader.  I had, and have, a decent memory when observing things...and as I child I just memorized what people told me the words in a given book were, rather than actually learning how to read.  I got away with that for quite a while.  Around second grade, however, I got busted.  My parents...horrified at this, basically locked me up in my room with a some comic books and a kids reader on Greek myths and Aesop's fables in order to get me to start reading.  And that's how I fell in love with the myth of Pygmalion.  For those of you unfamiliar, here's a synopsis.  Looking back on this as an adult, I guess it shows how much of an asocial perv I must be. But I think it explains my love of the movie Rubie Sparks.  It is, intentionally or not, a modern interpretation of the story of Pygmalion.  And I loved it.  If you'd like a romantic-fantasy-comedy-horror-that makes you feel a bit like a weirdo if you like it...then this movie is for you.  I give it 4 out of 4 wannabes!

Here's the trailer:

For all the FSOWannabes...

This song reminds me of the choice/issues facing those lucky enough to get an offer.  Especially when family and friends come out of the woodwork to convince you not to join:

Musical Interlude

Things have progressed.  The home is great.  The legal education market is crashing even more.  And I'm thinking of pursuing a fourth career.  Maybe one with a pension - if there's any value to those anymore.  Here are some tunes I've been listening to.

Musical Interlude

Move is done.  Most of the boxes are unpacked.  Place is looking great...and slowly feeling like home.  And I'm sick with something.  So I'm listening to tunes and being far too introspective for my own good.

Tired of Moving

I have limited internet access now that I'm moving.  So I'll leave you some tunes until I'm online again.

Still Got It

Job Knowledge:               63.11

Biographic Information:    65.60

English Expression:           61.46

Multiple-Choice Total:     190.17

Essay:                                 8

Progress

This week the article has been put to the wayside while I focus on packing and moving.  Tomorrow is going to be a big day with a lot of major items being moved into the new house.  If all goes as planned, my daughters and I will be moved in this week.  Very exciting.  It's also been a great opportunity to downsize.  And...I have some new MCM Acquisitions!  This Nelson saucer lamp will go over my dining table.

And my new dining set arrived last week (I managed to find it off of ebay); here's a picture of what it looks like:

Musical Interlude

My obsession with my article is almost over.  I promise more interesting, to me at least, posts will appear soon.  In the interim, enjoy the tuneage filling my Sonos this month.

Beautiful Day!

Celebrate with me!

Musical Interlude

Happy day.  Hope yours is, too.

How to Ace the Bio Section of the FSOT

For those of you taking the FSOT in February, I have some advice on how to do well on the biographical portion of the exam.  Like all advice, take it with a grain of salt.  I'm not a test-designer, nor do I have any special education in personality analysis.  That being said, I have done very well on the bio portion in the past, and I have suspicions as to why.  So here it is:

1.  Know your history.  Before taking the FSOT, spend some time with your resume.  Make sure you know what you've put there and be able to regurgitate it.

2.  Be consistent.  Typical examinations of biographical information/personality analysis will ask the same questions in different ways to see if you're answering honestly or at least consistently.  While taking the FSOT, try and remember the questions so that when you come across a repeater, you answer it consistently with any previous answers.

3.  It's a race.  I haven't looked at the number of questions or time alloted for the bio portion of the FSOT, and I'm too lazy to google the answer, but I recall that you have to be able to answer and get on to the next question asap.  If you follow #1 and #2, this won't be a problem.

4.  The 13 D's.  Most of the Foreign Service application process is designed to see how well you fit with the 13 dimensions, as well as your suitability for a life of living abroad.  Think of examples from your life that show how you are a living example of a great FSO.

That's all I have.  Maybe it helps, maybe not.  Regardless, good luck all you February FSOT'ers!

UPDATE:  Sorry, it's late for the February test-takers, but I forgot to add: Don't be modest when answering the Bio section.  Be proud of your accomplishments!  Whether you realize it or not, the FSOT is an interview.  So treat it as such.

Pool is Finished!

So the pool is finally done.  Just adding the water now.  So pretty...

Musical Interlude

I'm working non-stop on my article, because I need to make the submissions deadline this month.  As a result, I've not been able to spend much time with friends, both old and new.  But I still listen to music.  Next post will show how beautiful the pool is.

Been thinking about LA a lot recently.

Pool Progress

Tile and coping has been selected.  Here are photographs of the progress so far.  New pump, timer, and skimmer have been added.  Plastering will begin soon.  I know I'm biased, since I picked everything, but I think it looks great!

MCM Acquisition!

Man, I have to crow.  I managed to find an estate sale where this noguchi coffee table was listed for about 2/3 market price.  It's in great shape, and then I got another 50% off!  Boy, I understand the joys of a great purchase now.  A real Noguchi for a knock-off price.

One day, I hope my house appears on this blog.

More Pool Rehab

So the pool is finally empty, clean and the old tile and plaster chipped away.  And then we discovered a whole bunch of surprises.

First, the drain you typically see at the bottom of the pool?  Nope - don't got one.  So we'll need to add some additional drain lines.

The concrete pad around the pool is slanted and hollowed out in areas - meaning we need to remove the old concrete and add some coping.

The pool skimmer?  Doesn't work.  The lines to the pump?  Broken.  Need new lines.

So...a change order is in place....and I'll be playing the game of creative financing.  Yay....not.

Pool Rehab Begins

So I've been working with various contractors getting quotes on how much it will cost to take the pool from cess to sensational.  It's a lot.  So I've decided to do the rehab in stages.  The reasonable stage of just doing what I should afford went by the wayside once my girls started imagining there was a pool.  So...I'll be rehabbing to the point of operability.  The nice touches (pool heater, pavers, salt water system) will have to come later....after bankruptcy later.

Anyhow, here's the second stage of rehab - the first was emptying the dark, impenetrable waters, then removing all the various beasties and debris that was left over.  Now they are removing the old broken tiles and getting the pool ready for replastering.  Here's a pic from today.

Floors are Done!

The floors have been refinished, and I am very pleased.  It looks great.

Now to start furnishing.

I found these on craigslist for $80.  I think they'll look great next to the kitchen bar.

Musical Interlude

Overwhelmed with writing a law review article, but there's always a little time for tunes.

Painting begins

Painting has begun.  In an irritating note, the colors in the girls' room are not in the right place - but the girls like it.  Also, the contractors, for I assume their own gain, used a different paint brand.  Still, I think it looks nice.  It will look nicer once I get some freebies out of the contractors for messing around.

Here is the main living/dining room:

 Through the window you can see the play structure that Santa left the girls for the holidays.

Here is the master (a darker green than the living/dining area- and yes, I like green).

And the girls' room

It's coming along.  After I catch up on work, I'll be using the rest of January and February to downsize my current abode, and obtain some more furnishings for the new place.