Nataly

I hear ya.. I drink here and there, but don't like the whole drink-to-get-drunk thing, which is especially prevalent around New Year's.. But that doesn't mean we can't have fun anyway

Many places nowadays don't require a cover letter.. Mostly, you may need to briefly summarise why you are sending your CV.. And since you often do that online now, it means your "cover letter" will essentially consist of the email you write that will have your CV as an attachment.. If you are going to write a cover letter, I would personally advise you to either elaborate on things that aren't on your CV (like "why" you would like to work for such and such a company), or else give an extremely brief synopsis of your core competencies. Either way, it should *add* to your CV, and encourage the person to look at the CV. Trust me, if the introduction is poor, many people will simply bin the CV without even opening up the attachment. You've then fallen at the first hurdle.. Edit to add: I would stay clear of templates - I would instead opt for a tailored message. And yes, I mean tailored to the specific job and/or company. That means one cover letter/introductory message per application. It's more work, but you get a MUCH better hit rate. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I think I'm more outgoing in a small group - I'm generally not a fan of crowds. I feel energised around my group of friends & exhausted in social situations where there are lots & lots of people.. So yeah, I guess it's true.. Neat! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Probably the only woman who would let him sleep with her too!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Effective! Results trump tact. I think little screwdrivers are pretty much a waste of time also--unless you're repairing eye glasses or installing thermostats So there Dude, don't get me wrong.. I would totally *love* to see you say that to a woman!! And btw, I use my stubby all the time

Just wondering.. Every year, especially around xmas, I seem to get a mixture.. Some people seem to just buy random things for the sake of buying *something*; some people don't buy anything; some people put a lot of thought/care into picking something really special. I'm the last one. I only buy for the people I really care about and I do my very best to get them something they will really love. It's not even about money - some of the best stuff *I've* ever gotten didn't cost a penny.. For me, the whole point is making someone you love happy - otherwise I kinda think it's a waste of time/money. What does everyone else do? "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

COOL!!

Well, he wouldn't have been entirely wrong - the big screwdriver *wouldn't* fit into my kitty!!! But I really was talking about my handbag. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Oooh, New Year's at the base of the Eiffel Tower or on the Champs Elysees? How cool would that be? We're having a bunch of jumpers over. I have to work the next day, so I'll be toasting the New Year with sparkling cider.

That's an interesting idea.. I'm gonna think about that one

Oh no.. I've succumbed to the pressure and am flying out to France.. Now I have plans *and* expectations for New Year's.. Silly me.. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

The one who was trying to explain to me how a screwdriver works??! ! Behave.... no one could be that .... um, O.K maybe they could Yeah.. I was trying to buy a stubby multi-tip screwdriver that would fit into my handbag for those little emergencies you come across every so often.. And the dude went into a long rant about "the bigger the handle the better the screwdriver".. And I'm like "dude.. I'm familiar with the concept of torque/leverage - you seem not to understand that that big thing won't fit into my Jimmy Choo"!! Now *he* was staring at me with a look that could only mean "what the hell is a Jimmy Choo?" Priceless! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Classy "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

The one who was trying to explain to me how a screwdriver works??! Yeah.. No thanks! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

You know, it's funny you should say that.. I was bullied a lot in school, and I consider it one of the best things that's ever happened to me. It may sound perverse, but it really taught me not to let people treat me like shit. I'm not saying the victim is to blame by any means, but I do think you can learn to avoid many bad situations. Glad you stuck up for yourself. It's really shameful that domestic violence/abuse is one of the most poorly handled issues by the law - it's too often not treated with the seriousness it deserves. Lots of women suffer in silence and live their lives in fear.. It must be truly horrible. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

That is very good advice my friend - thank you

Hmm.. Yeah.. Ok.. I see where you're coming from.. But hell.. Bringing a child into the world just seems like an incredibly selfish and crazy thing to do to keep someone when they don't want to be with you.. I know it must happen, but I simply can't follow the logic.. Doesn't everyone know it causes *more* strain on a relationship and just fucks up the kid in the end??? "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Hmm.. Well, I've never personally met anyone so unpleasant, thankfully. Or if I have I was blissfully unaware of their treachery.. Any way you look at it, the situation is less than ideal.. I can't help but feel sorry for the kids.. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I wasn't. It's cool turtle.. We all know you as being a shit-disturber and we love you for it

Yes, I think *most* people were trying to be helpful

He does and will. He's got that part right. I just think its REALLY weird that his ex told him he didn't have to be involved if he didn't want to considering the fact that he is very involved in his daughter's life. Call me suspicious but... It's her ex husband, she knows him well enough and the situation is bizarre enough that she can offer that "out" knowing there is no way he would take it, possibly for use as leverage later. That strikes me as a rather far-fetched and extremely manipulative thing to do.. Not saying it's not the case, but I don't think most people are quite so calculating.. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I'm meeting his mom in 2 days.. Think it's gonna be pretty hard for him to find a cancer patient that looks like him just so he can carry on the charade & continue to tap my ass!! (I don't even know if I used that expression correctly.. Kinda sounds like he's been giving me bum-love!! ) "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I would never spend that kind of money on sunglasses.. Not because it's a waste *per se*, but because I'd only lose them or sit on them anyway "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Shit.. Sorry to hear that.. Glad it's over with, though..

Nah - was booking a little flight to Bordeaux for New Year's