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Wanting to turn side hustle into career swap

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:44 GMT

Q. I’m wrapping presents on nights and weekends through the holidays, and during the day I’m an IT director. I really like retail though! How can I do more than wrap and can I swap gigs?A. Yes, you can swap gigs. Network while you’re at the side hustle, demonstrate a hard work ethic, even with wrapping gifts (meaning, no task is too small to put your work ethic on full display). See if there are other roles you can fill during your shifts as well to meet new people.Set new goals: Do you want to work full-time on the sales floor? Maybe work in IT for this retail company, so same path, but different company? Or if you’re already set on wanting to swap IT director for gift wrapper, crunch numbers. You may enjoy the gig now because your responsibilities are different and perhaps lighter than running a department. So, enjoy the side hustle, communicate your interest in wanting to work there for the long-term, continue to prop that door open through meaningful conv...

New & veteran DJs give SiriusXM a fresh spin

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:44 GMT

Nina Blackwood is delivering some Motley Crue news ahead of introducing Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”It feels like 1985. It’s 2023. And Blackwood isn’t on MTV, but DJing on SiriusXM channel ’80s on 8.While many associate SiriusXM with Howard Stern — and maybe Howard Stern only — I’ve been more impressed with the other terrestrial DJs (and VJs) the satellite and online radio company has recruited. The company’s stable of veterans has made me do something I didn’t think possible: (partially, temporarily) outsource my music curation.As someone who has spent decades recommending music to people, both professionally and on the amateur level to any friend who would listen, I have opposed letting unvetted sources influence my listening. This means I long ago gave up on corporate FM radio. It also means I was skeptical of SiriusXM. Then I listened.Blackwood and a handful of MTV vets got me in the door. With so much talent presenting doses of nostalgia, it was fun to ...

Schoen: Trump has real chance to return to White House

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:44 GMT

There are two significant questions surrounding the state of the upcoming presidential election. First, can Donald Trump be reelected to the presidency given his four indictments and two civil trials? Second, is there any chance that Nikki Haley, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, or anyone else can stop Trump in the GOP primary and prevent a general election rematch of 2020?In regards to the latter question, as the Republican Iowa caucuses quickly approach, recent polling in the state shows Haley moving up decisively to 15% and DeSantis frozen at 18%, despite enormous multimillion dollar investments by his campaign and allied super PAC in the state. Given that former president Donald Trump is running more than ten-points weaker in Iowa than he is elsewhere and Haley’s momentum and upwards polling movement, there is reason to believe she will continue to improve and gain ground. However, in an unexpected way, the persistence of the DeSantis campaign running in the mid to high teens in I...

Editorial: Biden’s green slush fund throwing around cash

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:44 GMT

It’s the holiday season, and the Biden administration is in full Santa Claus mode. Never mind the $33 trillion national debt clock whirring upward, the White House is making liberal use of a massive green slush fund to dole out taxpayer-funded goodies to favored special interests.The comically misnamed Inflation Reduction Act contained $400 billion to be dispersed as part of President Joe Biden’s green industrial policy. That’s a fancy phrase for empowering government bureaucrats under crony capitalism to make decisions that should be left to the marketplace.Much of the cash will be funneled through the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office. There’s no shortage of outstretched hands.“The agency agreed to a $1 billion loan for Monolith, a company that promises to make hydrogen out of natural gas,” Kimberley Strassel of The Wall Street Journal reports. “Sunnova, a solar company, landed a $3 billion loan guarantee. Then there are all the real paupers. General Motors and LG scoope...

TV Q&A: Is it bon voyage for ‘Emily in Paris?’

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:44 GMT

You have questions. I have some answers.Q: I am wild about “Emily in Paris,” the series on Netflix. Will there be any more seasons? It left us hanging. It’s ripe for more seasons. Help!!!A: Not long after its second season arrived in December 2021, Netflix announced that the Lucy Collins series would be back for both a third and a fourth season. The third season appeared in December 2022. That might make you think the fourth season is around the corner, only the show stalled because of the writers’ and actors’ strikes. With the strikes now settled, Variety reported in November that “Emily” production will begin in January. But Variety also says the show and others are going to have to move swiftly because of the Olympics coming to Paris this summer, which will include bans on productions shooting in the city from June to September.Q: In the “In Plain Sight,” episode when the lead female character is shot and critically wounded, the last scene shows her lying in a hospital bed. Who i...

Mayo Clinic Q&A: What’s going on with my knee?

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:44 GMT

Dear Mayo Clinic: I was playing a pickup game of football with my kids, took a tumble, and my kneecap made a popping sound. It really hurt, then seemed to get better, but something’s not right. Any idea what might be going on?A: If your kneecap pops or slides to the outside of your knee, you’ll definitely know that something’s going on. Typically, that “something” is a partial or full dislocation, which means the kneecap, also known as the patella, has slipped partly or all the way out of its groove over the knee joint.Dislocation can be caused by a sudden blow, such as taking a hard hit playing a contact sport like football or hockey, or by a chronic condition, such as a stretched ligament. Some people have a particular knee anatomy that makes it more common. In those cases, a dislocation could be caused by something as simple as normal walking or standing up from a chair. With chronic dislocation, it may feel as though your knee is buckling or giving ...

Do I have to go to my ex’s funeral?

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:44 GMT

Q: What is my responsibility when my children’s mother dies and there is a viewing and formal funeral? Ours was a 10-year marriage that ended in a brutal divorce because of her infidelity and remarriage 20 years ago. We had three children, now all adults with children of their own. I see them often and we are close. Will there will be any adverse effects for my children and if I chose not to attend the services?A. Funeral services are designed to offer respect to the deceased, but more importantly we go to funerals to support those who are left behind. Your kids are most definitely grieving at the loss of their mother, and although you didn’t support your ex-wife’s actions, you certainly want to help your children as they morn her loss. That would be the reason you would go to the viewing and the funeral — not for you or the grudge you hold, but for them. (Good ex-etiquette for parents rule No. 6, “Don’t hold grudges,”)At the funeral you would sit with your children, even if your ex...

The Cape is a great – and cozy – escape in the winter

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:44 GMT

Cape Cod is distinctly a summer locale. The beaches, the outdoor dining, the events and that fresh salt air is the reason millions head there every warm week of the year.But here’s something that many don’t know: Cape Cod is downright cozy in the winter months.With inns and hotels that pivot to winter fun, restaurants that embrace local sourcing, to cool experiences that are made for crisp days and/or nights, the Cape is ready for your chilly winter visit.And here’s a bonus; You almost never hit crazy traffic at the bridge this time of year.For an overnight, many of the famed resorts shift to winter mode. This year, the Wequassett Resort (https://wequassett.com/) in Harwich opens in winter months for the first time.Tucked into the shores of Pleasant Bay, you’ll take in winter views from their cozy yet spacious rooms, enjoy seasonal fare and special events – all part of their “Enchanted Winter” calendar.Should you need help in the “dressing for coastal winter” aesthetic, the We...

Fun, engaging Joel loves all animals

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:44 GMT

Joel is a funny, intelligent, and loving young man described as engaging and lots of fun to talk with. He enjoys connecting with others, particularly one on one. Joel is the considered voice of reason in his peer and family relationships, always helping to solve problems. He also loves learning new things, especially if it involves animals – and he loves all animals.He is a great advocate for himself and will not hesitate to ask questions. Joel also enjoys playing games on his tablet and solving puzzles. Joel hopes to be a veterinarian or archaeologist one day. Joel is doing very well in school with the support of an IEP and has developed positive peer relationships. He looks forward to visiting his biological family and is very caring towards his biological siblings.Joel will do best in any loving two-parent family constellation with or without other children in the home. He is looking for a family that has a dog or is willing to get a dog. An ideal home for Joel would provid...

Do I have to tell ex I’m moving with our son?

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:44 GMT

Q. I share a six-year-old son with my ex-boyfriend (we were never married). My son’s father is listed on the birth certificate, but he has never been involved in my son’s life. He doesn’t even pay child support. I did not take him to court for child support because I know that will just make him try to spend time with my son, which I do not think would be a good idea.  He has addiction issues which is why I ended our relationship shortly after our son was born.  I am planning to move to New Hampshire because my mother and sister live there, and they can help me with childcare so that I can work more hours. Do I have to tell my son’s father that I’m moving?A. Since you were never married and it sounds like you have never been to court in connection with your son’s custody or support, by default you have sole custody of your son.  That means you can make decisions for him including where to live.Further, Massachusetts still uses an older law which the rest of the country has moved on ...