skjam

Thanks to all who donated to the fundraiser!

Going dark until the phone company gets around to hooking me back up.

As part of my attempt to network better in aid of getting a job, I went to this big event put on by the LinkedIn folks. It was held at the Airport Hilton, which is within easy walking distance of the light rail, and next to the Minnesota River Wildlife Refuge. (Might have to stop by there again in late spring or early fall.)

The main events were held in the ballroom, with vendor tables in the hallway around it. These were primarily small businesses and services for small businesses, such as a service that brings hot cookies to your workplace (yum!) and a mobile demonstration booth seller.

The event as a whole was more aimed at small businesses and sales people, not job seekers, but I did take away a lot of useful information and some new contacts. The first keynote speaker was Jill Konrath on "creating opportunity." She was followed by Sam Richter "'Know More' Selling" who was the most useful speaker to me, with many tips on how to effectively use the internet to find information on possible employers and the decision makers in them. And John Baker "Ask for what you want...and get it." I found him less interesting than the other two, but that might just have been post-lunch topor.

The lunch was buffet style and provided by Hilton's catering. It was good of its kind.

Also, there was speed networking (only one person asked for my resume, and it looks like that will need to be revised again), and a Q&A by the LinkedMN subgroup leaders. (Mostly we talked about social media use and misuse from a business perspective.)

The social hour at the end of the day was downstairs in a small meeting space with a cash bar. Since I don't drink alcohol or mix well in that sort of atmosphere, I felt uncomfortable. Even more so when the door prize drawings were held, and I won a bottle of wine in fancy wrapping (it's meant to be given as a gift.) Not sure what I'm going to do with it.

And it was a long train ride home. Tomorrow it's off to Rasmussen College first thing in the morning for orientation! (It looks like the VRAP is coming through.)

Thursday was dinner at Aunt Judy's house. The food was quite good, and I was happy to catch up with that side of the family.

Friday, I took the bus up to Sandstone, where my siblings and I had an early supper with our folks.

I picked up some more of my British comics collection for the Scans Daily community--hope you folks like 'em.

I also spent a lot of time on the Neopets site--on dial-up, Keyquest just won't work, so I played that a lot and even won a couple of times.

On Saturday, we visited Lena's Gift Shop in Askov, which features Scandinavian and local gifts--and is "the home of the rutabaga malt." I do not recommend the rutabaga malt, by the way, but if you're feeling adventurous... I got quite a bit of Christmas shopping done.

I did a fair bit of yakking with the folks too. Won one game of Dominoes, lost two.

Sunday, we went to brunch at the Audubon Center, one of only two times they'll be open this winter. (Last year had disappointing attendance, so they cut back.)

On the bus trip back to the city Sunday night, McDonalds was unable to fill my order in time, so they refunded my money.

Back home, I found that the folks at Wish List and Holiday Wishes had been quite enthusiastic about the prospect of getting a surprise from me, so I've got a fair backlog. Will need to concentrate on overseas delivery first, but with luck everyone will get their stuff by New Year's.

Hope your weekend was tasty!