American Idol Top 10 (oops 11) contestants performed to the theme Motown songs mentored by Grammy Lifetime Achievement winner Smokey Robinson. The contestants sang classic Motown including two of Robinson's (Tracks of My Tears, Ooo Baby Baby). There were some great performances.
Check out some Motown songs here as well as Adam Lambert's much raved about performance of Tracks of My Tears
Motown Songs
Here's a recap of what happened at Idol Motown night
American Idol Top 10 Recap
How To Ask For A Pay Raise At Work
How to ask for a pay raise at work is a pretty tricky business. You have been working at the same salary for some time now. You believe you are invaluable to the Company. You like to think that the Company believes the same too. You also believe you are overdue for the raise. However your Boss shows no signs of acknowledging your monetary worth. More often than not, you are the one to have to raise the issue. So how do you ask for that raise? Here are some tips to keep in mind while asking for that all important salary increase.
• You find out your worth. The best way to do it is talk with your peer group in the same profile outside your company. Or you can consider a hypothetical situation – if you were to walk out, how much salary would you be likely to get?
• If you are in sales or customer service – you can easily find out the business or repeat sales you have generated for your Company. That should form the benchmark for your raise.
• Find out inflation related changes since your last raise. Factor in the same while asking for your raise.
• Find out the growth of your Company in the past years. The surest way to show ignorance or get fired is to ask a hefty raise in a Company that is going downhill.
• Find out how much people in similar profile or rank as yours are getting in your Company. Compare profiles, job importance, responsibilities before putting up your case. There cannot be too much discrepancy in a company for people with similar profiles. However many a times – new recruits negotiate themselves to a better salary. Work this knowledge to your advantage when asking for that raise.
• Make a presentation of your case in a formal environment with your Boss. The formal appointment cues in your Boss to your seriousness about the issue. Give your Boss a figure based on your research.
Remember knowledge combined with prudence always has an advantage. And of course negotiating skills! No company likes to lose a valuable employee. The cost of hiring a new employee often works out to be higher. However, many a times one loses out on a raise due to lack of industry knowledge, insecurity or plain diffidence in talking about money.
• You find out your worth. The best way to do it is talk with your peer group in the same profile outside your company. Or you can consider a hypothetical situation – if you were to walk out, how much salary would you be likely to get?
• If you are in sales or customer service – you can easily find out the business or repeat sales you have generated for your Company. That should form the benchmark for your raise.
• Find out inflation related changes since your last raise. Factor in the same while asking for your raise.
• Find out the growth of your Company in the past years. The surest way to show ignorance or get fired is to ask a hefty raise in a Company that is going downhill.
• Find out how much people in similar profile or rank as yours are getting in your Company. Compare profiles, job importance, responsibilities before putting up your case. There cannot be too much discrepancy in a company for people with similar profiles. However many a times – new recruits negotiate themselves to a better salary. Work this knowledge to your advantage when asking for that raise.
• Make a presentation of your case in a formal environment with your Boss. The formal appointment cues in your Boss to your seriousness about the issue. Give your Boss a figure based on your research.
Remember knowledge combined with prudence always has an advantage. And of course negotiating skills! No company likes to lose a valuable employee. The cost of hiring a new employee often works out to be higher. However, many a times one loses out on a raise due to lack of industry knowledge, insecurity or plain diffidence in talking about money.
Should I Take Up This Job?
I have just received a job offer? Should I take it up?
This question has been giving me sleepless nights the past week. What better forum to open my mind than here? My parents, husband and children are biased in this regard. My Mom, because she doesn't want her daughter to work too hard, my husband - because he knows that anything he says will be thrown back at him! "You told to work, didn't you?" or "You are the one who didn't allow me to work!" So anytime I want his opinion, I am met with scowls, glares or silence. My son can’t decide whether he wants me to work or not. He wants me to work - because he is missing those extra toys, gizmos, games he was getting while I was also providing to the family kitty, as also increased time at the computer he will be getting with no one to supervise. He doesn't, because he likes to see a relaxed Mom at home when he comes back from school!
Now I will elucidate my pros and cons. First - why should I?
The offer has been literally dropped on my lap. The company is getting the work permit too.
I guess I am qualified enough and should be feeling guilty just watching movies, bickering with kids all day.
The pay is just about decent.
It’s a recession, if I am getting something I should be grabbing it!
It will be a stepping stone back into the workplace. My little kiddo is about 3 now and this seems to be the right time.
Now - Why shouldn't I take it up?
I earn a decent amount from online writing.
I am really enjoying my swimming, music lessons and will be learning French soon ;-)
My kids need me at home (sigh - do they?)
I will still be cleaning up after the kids, sitting with their homeworks, cooking, and doing a host of other things that needs to be done with three dirty boys at home - will I endure (without turning cranky) after a hard day's work?
Do I want to go back to the rat race?
I will miss my independence (to go shopping, tea time with friends, mid morning naps;-)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No, I dont think I want to go to the corporate sector as an employee. The word "rat race" has done the trick!
This question has been giving me sleepless nights the past week. What better forum to open my mind than here? My parents, husband and children are biased in this regard. My Mom, because she doesn't want her daughter to work too hard, my husband - because he knows that anything he says will be thrown back at him! "You told to work, didn't you?" or "You are the one who didn't allow me to work!" So anytime I want his opinion, I am met with scowls, glares or silence. My son can’t decide whether he wants me to work or not. He wants me to work - because he is missing those extra toys, gizmos, games he was getting while I was also providing to the family kitty, as also increased time at the computer he will be getting with no one to supervise. He doesn't, because he likes to see a relaxed Mom at home when he comes back from school!
Now I will elucidate my pros and cons. First - why should I?
The offer has been literally dropped on my lap. The company is getting the work permit too.
I guess I am qualified enough and should be feeling guilty just watching movies, bickering with kids all day.
The pay is just about decent.
It’s a recession, if I am getting something I should be grabbing it!
It will be a stepping stone back into the workplace. My little kiddo is about 3 now and this seems to be the right time.
Now - Why shouldn't I take it up?
I earn a decent amount from online writing.
I am really enjoying my swimming, music lessons and will be learning French soon ;-)
My kids need me at home (sigh - do they?)
I will still be cleaning up after the kids, sitting with their homeworks, cooking, and doing a host of other things that needs to be done with three dirty boys at home - will I endure (without turning cranky) after a hard day's work?
Do I want to go back to the rat race?
I will miss my independence (to go shopping, tea time with friends, mid morning naps;-)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No, I dont think I want to go to the corporate sector as an employee. The word "rat race" has done the trick!
The Pink Chaddi Movement - Indian Women Fight Back - Join Pink Chaddi at Facebook!
Pink Chaddi (Pink Panty) is "A Consortium of Pub-going, Loose and Forward Women" with a mission to send the Ram Sena and its Chief Pramod Muthalik a Pink Chaddi. Why send the Ram Sena a pink chaddi? Remember, the Ram Sena and its goons beat up young women in Mangalore for apparently going to pubs and with a dire warning not to celebrate Valentine's Day. And, hilariously, the Ram Sena says "no one from good families would resort to such cheap steps" - meaning they come from "good families" beating up women for going to pubs or dressing "indecently"! The Pink Chaddi campaign is a message that beating up Indian Women in public is against "ummm... AGAINST INDIAN CULTURE" too.
This is by far the best step Indian women and men have taken to stand up to right wing extremists and their arm twisting terror tactics! The facebook page already has more than 21000 members of either gender. You can join at Facebook here http://en-gb.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49641698651
The pink chaddi is also at the blog thepinkchaddicampaign.blogspot.com.
It says -
"Dear Pink Chaddi donaters,
please courier/mail your chaddi's to:
Pramod Muthalik, Sri Rama Sene Office # 11, Behind new bus stand, Gokhul road, Lakshmi park, Hubli - Karnataka"
This is by far the best step Indian women and men have taken to stand up to right wing extremists and their arm twisting terror tactics! The facebook page already has more than 21000 members of either gender. You can join at Facebook here http://en-gb.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49641698651
The pink chaddi is also at the blog thepinkchaddicampaign.blogspot.com.
It says -
"Dear Pink Chaddi donaters,
please courier/mail your chaddi's to:
Pramod Muthalik, Sri Rama Sene Office # 11, Behind new bus stand, Gokhul road, Lakshmi park, Hubli - Karnataka"
Valentine's Day Poem - With A Difference!
There was a time when I got the Best Valentine cards,
Guys wanted to be close to me like mad.
I got the best of best friends too
Who vied to pay attention to me and woo.
I am 40 now and not getting young,
Crying for all the love and attention and a bit of song
My husband forgets the V'day
My son so young and gay
does only stuff that his girlfriends say!
20 years older and 40 pounds heavier
Oh how weary and dull life seems now
If I was a bit thin or a lot cool
I could still conquer the world
For don’t I know it all!
All of you out there, the young uns
So full of love and life and laughter
Please resist those chocolates
As you might be me twenty years on!
Guys wanted to be close to me like mad.
I got the best of best friends too
Who vied to pay attention to me and woo.
I am 40 now and not getting young,
Crying for all the love and attention and a bit of song
My husband forgets the V'day
My son so young and gay
does only stuff that his girlfriends say!
20 years older and 40 pounds heavier
Oh how weary and dull life seems now
If I was a bit thin or a lot cool
I could still conquer the world
For don’t I know it all!
All of you out there, the young uns
So full of love and life and laughter
Please resist those chocolates
As you might be me twenty years on!
The Mom Song - Priceless And Funny - Don't Miss!
There are actually two popular versions of the Mom's Song, one is by comedienne Anita Renfroe set to William Tell's Overture and another by Northland Church found at their site Morthlandchurch.net. The Northland Church version has however been removed from their site at the request of Anita Renfroe Management (was it because it became way too popular). The singer for Northland church does an amazing version of the song! The song is still available on youtube. The lyrics are onscreen - but I am putting it here so you can just enjoy the song. As you can see the song is about what a Mom has to go through in a day. I know I say the stuff the song says often enough!
Get up now
Get up now
Get up out of bed
Wash your face
Brush your teeth
Comb your sleepy head
Here’s your clothes
And your shoes
Hear the words I said
Get up now
Get up and make your bed
Are you hot?
Are you cold?
Are you wearing that?
Where’s your books and your lunch and your homework at?
Grab your coat and your gloves and your scarf and hat
Don’t forget you got to feed the cat
Eat your breakfast
The experts tell us it’s the most important meal of all
Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall
Please remember the orthodontist will be seeing you at three today?
Don’t forget your piano lesson is this afternoon
So you must play
Don’t shovel
Chew slowly
But hurry
The bus is here
Be careful
Come back here
Did you wash behind your ears?
Play outside
Don’t play rough
Would you just play fair?
Be polite
Make a friend
Don’t forget to share
Work it out
Wait your turn
Never take a dare
Get along
Don’t make me come down there
Clean your room
Fold your clothes
Put your stuff away
Make your bed
Do it now
Do we have all day?
Were you born in a barn?
Would you like some hay
Can you even hear a word I say?
Answer the phone
Get Off the phone
Don’t sit so close
Turn it down
No texting at the table
No more computer time tonight
Your iPod’s my iPod if you don’t listen up
Where you going and with whom and what time do you think you’re coming home?
Saying thank you, please, excuse me
Makes you welcome everywhere you roam
You’ll appreciate my wisdom
Someday when you’re older and you’re grown
Can’t wait ’til you have a couple little children of your own
You’ll thank me for the counsel I gave you so willingly
But right now
I thank you NOT to roll your eyes at me
Close your mouth when you chew
Would appreciate
Take a bite
Maybe two
Of the stuff you hate
Use your fork
Do not you burp
Or I’ll set you straight
Eat the food I put upon your plate
Get an egg A, Get the door
Don’t get smart with me
Get a Grip
Get in here I’ll count to 3
Get a job
Get a life
Get a PhD
Get a dose of reality
I don’t care who started it
You’re grounded until your 36
Get your story straight
And tell the truth for once for heaven’s sake
And if all your friends jumped off a cliff
Would you jump too?
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said at least a thousand times before that
You’re too old to act this way
It must be your father’s DNA
Look at me when I am talking
Stand up straight when you walk
A place for everything
And everything must be in place
Stop crying or I’ll give you something real to cry about
Oh!
Brush your teeth
Wash your face
Get your PJs on
Get in bed
Get a hug
Say a prayer with Mom
Don’t forget
I love you
**KISS**
And tomorrow we will do this all again because a mom’s work never ends
You don’t need the reason why
Because
Because
Because
Because
I said so
I said so
I said so
I said so
I’m the Mom
The mom
The mom
The mom
The mom
Ta-da
(Lyrics from lyricsmode.com archive)
Here is the Anita Renfroe version as she talks about it at CBS
And a youtube link to the song
Get up now
Get up now
Get up out of bed
Wash your face
Brush your teeth
Comb your sleepy head
Here’s your clothes
And your shoes
Hear the words I said
Get up now
Get up and make your bed
Are you hot?
Are you cold?
Are you wearing that?
Where’s your books and your lunch and your homework at?
Grab your coat and your gloves and your scarf and hat
Don’t forget you got to feed the cat
Eat your breakfast
The experts tell us it’s the most important meal of all
Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall
Please remember the orthodontist will be seeing you at three today?
Don’t forget your piano lesson is this afternoon
So you must play
Don’t shovel
Chew slowly
But hurry
The bus is here
Be careful
Come back here
Did you wash behind your ears?
Play outside
Don’t play rough
Would you just play fair?
Be polite
Make a friend
Don’t forget to share
Work it out
Wait your turn
Never take a dare
Get along
Don’t make me come down there
Clean your room
Fold your clothes
Put your stuff away
Make your bed
Do it now
Do we have all day?
Were you born in a barn?
Would you like some hay
Can you even hear a word I say?
Answer the phone
Get Off the phone
Don’t sit so close
Turn it down
No texting at the table
No more computer time tonight
Your iPod’s my iPod if you don’t listen up
Where you going and with whom and what time do you think you’re coming home?
Saying thank you, please, excuse me
Makes you welcome everywhere you roam
You’ll appreciate my wisdom
Someday when you’re older and you’re grown
Can’t wait ’til you have a couple little children of your own
You’ll thank me for the counsel I gave you so willingly
But right now
I thank you NOT to roll your eyes at me
Close your mouth when you chew
Would appreciate
Take a bite
Maybe two
Of the stuff you hate
Use your fork
Do not you burp
Or I’ll set you straight
Eat the food I put upon your plate
Get an egg A, Get the door
Don’t get smart with me
Get a Grip
Get in here I’ll count to 3
Get a job
Get a life
Get a PhD
Get a dose of reality
I don’t care who started it
You’re grounded until your 36
Get your story straight
And tell the truth for once for heaven’s sake
And if all your friends jumped off a cliff
Would you jump too?
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said at least a thousand times before that
You’re too old to act this way
It must be your father’s DNA
Look at me when I am talking
Stand up straight when you walk
A place for everything
And everything must be in place
Stop crying or I’ll give you something real to cry about
Oh!
Brush your teeth
Wash your face
Get your PJs on
Get in bed
Get a hug
Say a prayer with Mom
Don’t forget
I love you
**KISS**
And tomorrow we will do this all again because a mom’s work never ends
You don’t need the reason why
Because
Because
Because
Because
I said so
I said so
I said so
I said so
I’m the Mom
The mom
The mom
The mom
The mom
Ta-da
(Lyrics from lyricsmode.com archive)
Here is the Anita Renfroe version as she talks about it at CBS
And a youtube link to the song
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