~*~*~ THE RAT RACE REBELLION TELEWORK BULLETIN ~*~*~ Dear Reader, A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR This week, with all the other treats and diversions (and great screened home-based jobs) we habitually offer, we bring you some thoughts on the growing crisis involving children and play in the US schools. Enjoy! APRIL MARKS THE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS AUGUST BULLETIN Please join me in celebrating the fourth anniversary of this indescribably illustrious bulletin. “I would like to thank my mother, my father, my co-stars, my….” That’s approximately 200 issues. Thank you for being with me. Here’s to the next 20000000 issues! (The world will be working from home.) YOUR HUMBLE EDITOR GOES ON CNN TO PROTECT SCHOOL RECESS In more news from the rat race, my daughter Jazz’s elementary school in Northern Virginia wants to ban tag from the playground, part of the larger US trend toward banning recess altogether. (See “The Vanishing Recess,” below.) I got a call from CNN yesterday to go on camera nationally to talk about it with news anchor Mike Galanos. Since the school refused to be interviewed, and no other parents or experts were there, Mike took the “contra” position and we had a friendly debate. (I don’t have a clip of the interview yet, but will include it here or on RatRaceRebellion.com when it becomes available.) Thanks, CNN, for the opportunity to air the issues. Yes, TV is Addicting I’ve been in print media and on the radio many times, but I’ve never appeared on national TV. It’s no wonder some of Chris’ and my friends are “hooked” on TV appearances -- It really gets the adrenaline pumping. I felt like a Big Man on Campus, striding down the sidewalk to CNN’s Washington, DC, headquarters near Union Station (our grand old train terminal, which we built for the politicians on nearby Capitol Hill before we built them Reagan National Airport), parting the waves of tiny commuters as they scurried toward the subway after another Lilliputian day. To keep my stomach from growling nationwide, I went into the snack shop in the lobby of the CNN building for a protein bar. (This shows my tenderfoot TV status. Experienced hands know that the “Green Room” -- and they really do call it that, the anteroom to fame and fortune, where guests wait -- has free snacks and drinks.) CNN was playing on a TV over the snack shop door, so I had to tell the cute counter clerk that I was going to be on in a few minutes. (After all, she couldn’t have heard that from a customer before.) The Green Room A security guard checked my name on the guest list and escorted me to the elevator (you can’t be too careful with these advocates of tag, and I understand that), and an assistant met me and escorted me to the, yes, Green Room! Suddenly, I wondered if I really was about to go to Heaven, where all the celebrities live, for the Green Room was full of priests! They wore gentle, concerned looks, as I smiled around the room. “So. What’s your schtick?” one of them said. [This really happened.] I explained that I was there to strike a blow for recess, and they were astounded that the school wanted to ban tag. Then I asked them what their schtick was, and they said they were there to talk about the Pope’s visit. Makeup Saves the Day The makeup room was right next door, but no one had mentioned makeup. Was I entitled to makeup? I needed makeup bad, especially mascara. Or is it eye shadow? I’m never sure of the names, but I needed paint. I looked like a jowly raccoon. A makeup lady came in for a Coke, and I asked her if she could paint me. She checked an interview sheet and whisked me into a chair. And the weaponry in that room, my goodness! Little pots of paint covering a long countertop; wide, spotless mirrors along the walls; enough light to stop an eclipse… There were three makeup experts, and two chatted while mine did me up. And was she good. No wonder they get thanked so profusely at the Oscars. (That, and it avoids revenge.) I went from raccoon to Adonis in five minutes. Next, the assistant took me by the elbow and guided me toward the studio and the cameras and the big set, the cameramen, the script girl, the … No, it was actually a room about the size of a large closet, empty except for a big, intimidating camera and a small chair. He miked me up quickly and put an ear bud in my ear, and a voice came on from Atlanta, checking to see that all was well and cuing me that the anchor would be on with me in a moment. And we were off to the races… Lessons Learned Jazz’s daycare, whom I had called to ask if she could watch her pops on TV, brought her entire class to the TV room to see me. (I take back every rude remark I’ve ever made about daycare. I love daycare.) I asked her later what she thought. She mulled it over. “I like you better without makeup,” she said. Maybe next time, I’ll tell CNN that if they really want to hear the truth about tag, I’ll bring in 20 kids. They’ll gather round, and they’ll tell America what recess means. After all, the politicians just up the street on the Hill understand it. If you tried to ban their recess, they’d revolt, and try to pass a law. You’d have to bring in older kids to monitor things. You have to be pretty mature, to handle freedom. Not to mention power. THE VANISHING RECESS -- AND THE RISE OF THE IMPERIAL SCHOOL As I mentioned above, the elementary school my daughter attends has banned dodgeball and touch football, and now wants to ban tag. Without providing any data to support it, the school says there are “too many injuries” associated with tag, and that in general it has become “an administrative burden.” But here in the US, bans on tag are only part of a national trend, and it doesn’t bode well for recess. According to the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education, some 40 percent of schools have either “modified” recess, banned it, or are considering banning it. Indeed, in Atlanta and elsewhere in Georgia, new elementary schools are being built with no playgrounds at all. As one school superintendent there said, “We are intent on improving academic performance. You don’t do that by having kids hanging on monkey bars.” Schools in other locations are removing swings, slides, merry-go-rounds, and sandboxes, and banning running as well. Childhood Obesity, “Zero Tolerance for Bullying,” and the Drugging of Boys In enacting these policies, the schools not only fuel the national epidemic of childhood obesity, they directly contradict their own prominent anti-bullying campaigns as well. (After all, if children are being pushed down and injured on the playground, as many administrators assert in justifying these bans, wouldn’t we want to discipline the bullies and continue the game? Or is it “administratively more convenient” to simply ban the activity altogether?) Perhaps even worse, these policies make it more likely that boys -- who by their very nature are often more affected physically if not psychologically by such restrictions than girls -- will fall prey to the well-documented overdiagnosis of ADD / ADHD, and the “chemical control” that follows. Exploring How Lawsuits Can be Minimized Defenders of these policies often claim that the threat of litigation is to blame, and perhaps in many cases that’s true. However, the schools have shown a curious reluctance to explore how lawsuits might be minimized without the banning of games, recesses and playgrounds. The use of parental volunteer monitors on the playgrounds, preemptive legislation, and the execution of releases and waivers by parents who support their child’s play are three potential options that immediately come to mind -- and I’m not a lawyer. (After all, children continue to go out on field trips on our crowded and dangerous highways every day, and parents are often required to sign waivers for these and other school-related activities.) (Of course, field trips -- not to mention “field day,” with its winners and losers, and dangerous beanbag tosses -- are probably also an endangered childhood species, but we’ll save that topic for a later day.) “No Child Left Behind” The well-intentioned federal legislation, “No Child Left Behind” (or as some call it, “No Child Left Untested”) -- which, as the snipe suggests, is rapidly earning an unwelcome reputation among parents and teachers across the US -- is also partly to blame for some of these trends, as schools are forced to spend more time on student test preparation and performance, and less on everything else. As someone who never did well on standardized tests, and who believes that there should be much more to the school experience than “reading, math and science” -- yes, those are important, but so are the arts, and creativity, and empathy, and joy, and friendship, and adventure, and the myriad other things we wish for our children in school -- I’m no fan of increased testing, and I can only imagine how boring and frustrating it must be for the better teachers, too. Nonetheless, surely the requirements of “NCLB” can be met without the banning of recess and playgrounds (not to mention tag), and where necessary we can pull out our keyboards and phones and oblige our employees (aka politicians) to modify, rescind, or supplement the federal statute. Weak PTAs / PTOs and the Rise of the Imperial School The steady weakening of PTAs across the US is well-documented (12M members in the 1960s to less than 6M today), and many have become mere shells. The PTOs (Parent Teacher Organizations) that have replaced them are also often too weak to function as the full partners of their schools. This “full partnership” role is key, as the PTAs and PTOs represent the voices, preferences, and beliefs of the parents and their children in their relationship with the school. The weak state of the parental organizations has created a power vacuum that schools -- as bureaucracies are wont to do -- expand into, and claim as their own. This has created a trend toward what I will call The Imperial School. What are the hallmarks or symptoms of The Imperial School? -- A dismissive or contemptuous attitude toward parental concerns (if they are entertained at all). -- The issuance of “rulings” or “edicts” on significant policies or procedures, with minimal or no parental input. (Meaningful parental input is neither sincerely sought nor welcome.) -- The PTA / PTO habitually defers to the school, functioning as its handmaiden or auxiliary, and rarely if ever opposing the administration’s position. -- The PTA / PTO’s primary function seems to be fundraising, and the providing of volunteer labor to the school. -- The PTA / PTO does not welcome (and indeed, may actively reject) parental input that opposes positions the school has taken. -- The PTA / PTO seems to prefer a greater dialogue and relationship with school administration than with its own membership. -- The school, in practice, approaches children primarily as logistical or administrative challenges or inconveniences rather than as unique individuals with unique needs. -- In some cases, the school takes on a fortress- or bunker-like feel, where parents begin to feel like interlopers or supplicants, or fortunate to have been granted access. -- Parents feel increasingly deferential toward school administrators and teachers, forgetting that they themselves are the employer, and the source of the school, its property, the jobs of its personnel, and almost everything within its walls. -- Parents become reluctant or afraid to criticize school policies or procedures before school administrators or teachers, for fear of punitive action against their children. Many Exceptions, Many to Blame There are certainly many wonderful public schools in the US, and school administrators, teachers and staff every day accomplish heroic and beautiful things, in a context that sometimes seems to be deteriorating with every news flash. They must shoulder litigious, abusive and perfectionist (or indifferent) parents, shrinking budgets, hungry and abused children, burdensome legislation, decayed facilities, crowded classrooms, crime, guns, vandalism and delinquency. In the upper-class areas, schools are expected to offer everything from chess to Chinese, and to purchase and master technology (regardless of budget constraints) at a relentless clip. At the beginning and end of the day, it’s assumed they will do for buses (despite gridlock and sprawl) what it took a Mussolini to do for trains -- keep them running on time. In disadvantaged districts, schools and teachers battle daunting forces and dangerous conditions, sometimes lucky to see a month go by without a child or teacher assaulted or wounded, or a life lost. And why are PTAs and PTOs so often weak? The schools didn’t make them that way. We did. (The rat race -- which we’ve created and sustain -- is stealing us away.) We don’t attend the meetings. We don’t voice our opinions. We don’t contribute -- not with a check, though that’s nice, but where it really counts -- with our presence. We don’t volunteer in the schools, we don’t “speak with our actions.” (I see very few dads, too, at PTA meetings or volunteering, and I suspect this is typical in schools.) We all say we don’t have the time. What’s the moral? Parents themselves will have to reclaim their rightful place in the K12 world, or forfeit the right to complain. The schools have their duties, and we have ours. We shirk them at the price of childhood, honor, and our own self-respect. HATE TO NAG PEOPLE FOR ASSIGNMENTS? TRY “MONKEY ON YOUR BACK”! Do you have trouble (like I do) reminding people that a project is due or overdue? Want to nag your teenager to clean up his room, but the only way to break through the wall of clutter is by email? Now you can put a monkey on their back and let him do the kvetching. Called, coincidentally, “Monkey on Your Back,” this nifty free tool lets you fill out a quick form with the victim’s email address, the deadline, and a note, and it sends a monkey (via email) to deliver the message. To get your monkey, go to http://monkeyon.com/ . (A similar tool lets you send reminders automatically to yourself. For more, see “Memo to Me,” at http://www.memotome.com/ .) IN AUSTRALIA, “WORD OF MOUTH” BRINGS FREE SAMPLES TO YOUR HOME Our team often scours the Net for freebies, and this one came across my screen recently via the Springwise newsletter, which talks about interesting new trends around the world. “Word of Mouth” is an Australian service that brings free samples and presentations of consumer products (Asian cuisine and other food, beauty products, etc.) to gatherings in people’s homes. According to their site, “The aim of our presentations is to help you make informed choices when you are doing your weekly shopping and to have a lot of fun!” “We will cook up a storm. There are give-aways and loads of samples for your group to try during the presentation or to take home and try.” “Our purpose is to tell, not to sell.” For more, see http://www.wordofmouthco.com.au . For more on Springwise, see http://springwise.com . FRUGAL AND SIMPLE LIVING Here are our fave freebies and cheapies for this week. Enjoy! (US only, alas, unless otherwise indicated.) -- Huggies Supreme diapers: http://walmart.triaddigital.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid19518.aspx -- Yarrah Organic Petfood sample (international; US not listed): http://www.yarrah.com/home.php?mid=300&lang=english -- Prilosec heartburn blocker: http://walmart.triaddigital.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid40020.aspx -- Laci Le Beau dieter’s tea (no country restrictions given): http://www.lacilebeau.com/freesamples.php -- Ben & Jerry’s “Free Cone Day,” April 29: http://www.benjerry.com -- Baskin-Robbins “31-cent scoop night,” April 30: http://www.baskinrobbins.com/Promotion/31cent.aspx -- Free Cinnabon roll to Nurses during Nurses Week, May 5-11: http://www.cinnabon.com/daisyfoundation/nursesweek.html -- Free Lead Testing Kits for toys and other items (may also be available outside the US): http://www.stoptoxicimports.org/test_kit_request.asp -- L’Oreal skincare cream: http://walmart.triaddigital.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid31048.aspx FROM THE R3 MAILBAG -- QUESTIONS ABOUT WORKING FROM HOME, AND OTHER RAT RACE TOPICS DEAR R3: I was looking at an online job recently and the first form they required asked for my social security number. I’m concerned about giving that out over the Internet. Do you have any advice? R3: You’re right to be cautious. Your SSN is the front door to your identity and you should protect it carefully. First, with all the job scams online, never apply for a position unless you trust the source of the job lead, and you’ve looked into the hirer’s website, reputation, etc. Second, it’s unusual for a legitimate online hirer to immediately require your SSN, in the earliest stages of the application process. Some scammers will explain that they require this information as a means of verifying your identity. Others will take the scam further by requesting your mother's maiden name, your date of birth, or a scan of your driver's license or passport. For more on identity theft in the US, see the IRS site at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=155682,00.html . RAT RACE QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Tag is a tough game, but I like it.” -- School Principal, during play break at Annual Principals Convention Rebelliously Yours, Michael Michael D. Haaren, Editor-in-Chief The Rat Race Rebellion =>=> New Leads for Home-Based Jobs and Projects <=<= *Editor’s Note: All positions are screened, but we can’t of course “guarantee” the legitimacy of any hirer or lead, so please do your own ‘due diligence’ as well! All positions are paid unless otherwise noted. The amount of compensation is included in the summary when given in the underlying lead. Also, please note that on occasion the hirer will decide to change the description or the availability of the job or project shortly AFTER the summary is published here. (Unfortunately, we have no control over this.) Therefore, be sure to read the underlying ad carefully, and apply promptly for any job that interests you. ||||| 1. Word Processors ||||| US-based Net Transcripts is looking for “[i]ndividuals who can transcribe audio content of financial results conferences, medical training seminars, group project meetings and other general business meetings. Must type 80+ WPM, have excellent grammar and proofreading skills, have experience with MS Word and Excel, and must demonstrate strong computer literacy.” (Editor’s Note: Net Transcripts is listed on our website as an as-needed hirer of Word Processors. We’ve heard recently that they’re hiring again.) => Learn More: http://www.nettranscripts.com/nt_employment.htm <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 2. Expert on Teen Advice (Work from anywhere) ||||| Information supersite About.com, owned by the NY Times, seeks a part-time Expert (“Guide”) to cover the theme of Teen Advice. “Our ideal candidate is someone with professional experience working with teens. Here are a couple examples of great backgrounds: *An experienced youth worker or counselor that currently works with teens *A published author on the topic who has extensively researched and written on this topic.” “At a minimum, About Guides must publish two full-length articles every 14 days and update their blog one to three times per week. However, the potential for your GuideSite is really up to you. The more high-quality, relevant content you produce, the more you can earn.” Pays a minimum of $725 per month for the first two years of contract. => Learn More: http://beaguide.about.com/topics.htm <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 3. Senior English Editor (Philippine citizen or resident status) ||||| Hong Kong-based editorial services firm Knowledge / Growth Support seeks a Senior English Editor with at least 4 years’ experience. Minimum requirements include a Bachelor’s degree. (For more on the company, see http://www.kgsupport.com/ . For the job lead, see the link below.) => Learn More: http://ph.jobstreet.com/jobs/2008/4/default/20/1828513.htm?fr=J <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 4. National Technology Coordinator for Student Nonprofit (US) ||||| US-based Student Peace Alliance seeks a part-time National Technology Coordinator. “This position can be filled by anyone, anywhere, within the United States.” Duties include managing databases, updating and managing the organization’s website, formatting newsletters, etc. Commitment is 10 hrs.-20 hrs. per week at $500 per month. “Graphic design experience a plus.” => Learn More: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/274892-331 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 5. Medical Transcriptionists (US) ||||| US-based Transcription, Technology, and Support, LLC, seeks full-time acute-care MTs with at least 3 years’ experience. All shifts available. => Learn More: http://www.mtjobs.com/job_detail.cfm?RowID=15324 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 6. PR Expert for Virtual PR Firm (US) ||||| International virtual PR firm Vitis is looking for a freelance US-based PR Expert. “We are seeking a freelance Account Supervisor / Account Director to help initially with one of our technology clients who is looking for US PR. The right candidate will also have the opportunity to receive further work from us to cover US technology public relations. We work with high tech companies in the main.” => Learn More: http://www.freelancebbs.com/fbb/project_ad_pp_138890.html <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 7. Writer on Motoring for NZ Online Women’s Magazine ||||| NZ-based online magazine Girls Day Out seeks a freelance Writer to cover basic motoring issues “such as 'changing a flat tyre', 'replacing a battery', 'reducing petrol costs' etc.” Pays $25NZ per hour. => Learn More: http://www.writerfind.com/freelance_jobs/job4092.htm <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~Advertisement~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Chris and Mike here -- Do you need writing experience to qualify for freelance writing, blogging, proofreading or editorial jobs? Want to demonstrate your expertise for hiring managers or prospective clients? We recommend Helium (it’s free). You can get writing experience with an easy-to-start blog, and be eligible for compensation while you learn. You can also choose among many popular topics, and build your credentials while you write about what interests you. For more, click here. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 8. Informatics Managers for AETNA (US) ||||| AETNA seeks full-time, home-based Informatics Managers in a variety of locations. “This position requires high-level skills in data quality assessment, data analysis, analytic statistical concepts, hands-on use of Aetna decision support systems and knowledge of corporate benefits business practices.” Salary $87,120 - $109,000. => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/43pe4e <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 9. Entry-Level Writers for Women’s Online Magazine ||||| Web magazine The Savvy Gal is looking for entry-level Writers to cover travel, career, how-to, etc. Pays $25 per article. => Learn More: http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=907524 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 10. Google Quality Rater, Argentinean Spanish (US or CAN) ||||| Google continues to seek part-time Quality Raters fluent in Argentinean Spanish to evaluate websites. “Strong ability to read and write in the English language, (Perfect English is not necessary. However, you must be able to read and write English well enough to use software with an English interface, understand fairly complicated instructions written in English).” Requirements also include Bachelor’s or equivalent. => Learn More: http://www.google.com/support/jobs/bin/answer.py?answer=53726 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 11. “Remedy” Software Engineer (US) ||||| US-based Fortune 500 and defense contractor SAIC is looking for a Remedy Software Application Engineer with at least 3 years’ experience. (Travel 20%.) Must be able to obtain Secret clearance. “Candidate will be responsible for application maintenance and development for the Military Sealift Command (MSC) REMEDY ARSystem. The REMEDY ARSystem platform is a Windows 2003 configuration with an Oracle Database.” “Education: Bachelors Degree or 6 years of experience in lieu of degree.” => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/4v3pna <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 12. Freelance Attorney / Writer (US lawyer) ||||| US-based legal placement firm Special Counsel is advertising for an Attorney / Writer “to research, compose, and edit our client's newsletter that is distributed to General Counsels in the healthcare industry!” (Client is a regional US law firm.) Must have experience in long-term health care industry. => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/6ajkre <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 13. Senior Rails Developer ||||| Software firm 42 Friends, which develops Facebook applications, seeks a Senior RoR Developer with at least 5 years’ software development experience. Must also have experience scaling RoR applications to millions of pageviews. => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/4hgjsc <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 14. Ethical Hackers (US) ||||| British Telecom seeks Ethical Hackers in the US. Extensive technical qualifications apply. See page linked below for full details. => Learn More: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA9/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=BT&cws=1&rid=227 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 15. Sales / Business Dev. Leader for Hedge Fund Software Firm (“Meetings in NYC area”) ||||| US-based Delta Hedge Systems is looking for a Sales and Business Development Leader with at least 3 years’ experience selling to the asset management industry. “We seek a professional adept in consultative sales, able to understand and support prospects’ requirements from a business and technology perspective.” => Learn More: http://www.pr.com/job/3772087 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 16. Freelance Copywriters (US or CAN) ||||| Placement firm The Creative Group is advertising for Copywriters with various levels of expertise. “Develops concepts and writes conceptual copy for advertising and marketing campaigns. Must also have the ability to write copy for internal and external promotional materials within a corporation.” => Learn More: http://directemployers.jobcentral.com/rhii/03350-9481763.html <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 17. Freelance Logo / Brand Identity Designer ||||| US-based design firm MSDS is looking for a Logo / Brand ID Designer with at least 3 years’ experience. “We prefer that you work in our NYC office but can be flexible.” => Learn More: http://www.creativehotlist.com/index.asp?linkTarget=fullJob.asp&jobID=118822 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 18. Expert on Comedians (Work from anywhere; US-oriented content) ||||| Information supersite About.com, owned by the NY Times, seeks a part-time Expert (“Guide”) to cover the theme of comedians. “We expect the Guide to be well-versed in the standup comedians of today and yesterday, as well as comic history and traditions (popular comedy clubs, sketch groups, terms/glossary, etc.).” “At a minimum, About Guides must publish two full-length articles every 14 days and update their blog one to three times per week. However, the potential for your GuideSite is really up to you. The more high-quality, relevant content you produce, the more you can earn.” Pays a minimum of $725 per month for the first two years of contract. => Learn More: http://beaguide.about.com/topics.htm <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 19. Freelance Web Designer for 20-Page Project ||||| An independent professional is looking for a Web Designer to help him with his site, which will also require flash animations. => Learn More: http://www.noagenciesplease.com/index.html?action=job&id=20821 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 20. Expert on Working Moms (Work from anywhere; US-oriented) ||||| Information supersite About.com, owned by the NY Times, seeks a part-time Expert (“Guide”) to cover the theme of Working Moms. “The ideal candidate is a strong writer with experience in the consumer space writing about parenting or women’s issues, in particular the role of the working mom. It is essential that the Guide is, or has recently been, a working mom, so that she can write about relevant issues, plus have the knowledge of the issues working moms face and the options available to them.” “At a minimum, About Guides must publish two full-length articles every 14 days and update their blog one to three times per week. However, the potential for your GuideSite is really up to you. The more high-quality, relevant content you produce, the more you can earn.” Pays a minimum of $725 per month for the first two years of contract. => Learn More: http://beaguide.about.com/topics.htm <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ******************************* That’s this week’s issue, Dear Reader. Until next week’s issue, don’t forget to visit us for fresh job leads at http://www.ratracerebellion.com/job_postings.htm ! Rebelliously Yours, Michael -- Michael D. Haaren, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief Staffcentrix, LLC Email: mhaaren@staffcentrix.com Co-author of the bestseller on working from home as a Virtual Assistant, THE 2-SECOND COMMUTE, now available at Amazon.com or http://www.2secondcommute.com. See what else we’re up to on the Web, at http://www.WAHBoom.com (our new work-at-home site for Boomers), http://www.msvas.com (our Military Spouse Virtual Assistant community), and http://www.fse-entrepreneur.com (our Foreign Service spouse e-Entrepreneur community). ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ All contents copyright 2008 Staffcentrix, LLC, "The most trusted name in home-based careers."(TM, SM) All rights reserved.