Is the barter system making a comeback?
How many times have you heard someone say, “I wish we could just go back to a barter system…?”
Well, it seems that wish is now being granted.
Today, CNN reported that while consumer spending is down, people are still getting what they want through good old fashioned bartering. Businesses and even individuals are regularly swapping services and products–online.
Imagine the possibilities! I could post a local advertisement at MyNC.com Classifieds to trade my dishwasher for your stove. A gym manager could offer to swap a membership in return for a new laptop for her business on a website like U-exchange. Students can swap books and CD’s on sites like Swaptree.
In this economy, we’re likely to try anything to get what we need to maintain our quality of like. While I don’t actually know anyone who is trying any of these bartering methods, I wonder how easy or how difficult it could be?
To learn more about this growing practice CNN recommend’s visiting the International Reciprocal Trade Association.
It’s certainly something to think about and maybe even consider…wanna trade?
Raleigh’s good eatin’ will be featured on The Travel Channel tomorrow!
Me, Adam Richman, Lori and Patrick
I got to not only meet this lover of food, but I got to sit down and chat with him. Check out the video at: http://jcoscia.myncblogs.com/2009/01/29/good-food-good-times-and-great-company-at-the-pit-restaurant/
I can’t wait to hear what he had to say about the Tar Heel state, the food and to see if my friends and I made the final cut of the show when it airs tomorrow night (Wednesday) on The Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food” at 10 E/P.
In the meantime, check out his vlog to hear how he thought eastern Carolina BBQ compared to what he calls “traditional” BBQ and what he thinks about eating late-night “drunk college student” grub…when you’re not a drunk college student…http://www.travelchannel.com/Video_&_Photos/Video_Detail?lineupId=3826925001
Remember: We’re no good to anyone if we don’t survive this
overworked workforce during the recession
I thought about something a colleague said to me a few weeks ago…Clearly sick; coughing, sneezing, etc. I advised this co-worker to “go home!” But this dedicated employee said, “No way!” I was reminded that no one can afford to take any time off. Job security isn’t a guarantee right now. Staff count is lower, the amount of work stays the same. If you aren’t at work, you could be next out the door! Point taken.
As businesses slash jobs and people struggle with unemployment, those who are fortunate enough to stay employed are grappling with fear, frustration and, of course, more work. Employees are faced with doing more with less.
If you’re like me, you probably spend between eight to twelve hours a day at work. As layoffs and furloughs take place we are all trying to figure out how the remaining employees are going to do all the work that everybody was doing to begin with.
Deadlines don’t change. Just because an employee is cut or doesn’t come to work on a furlough day doesn’t mean that someone else picks up the slack. It just means that there will be more work to do before they leave or more work “piled up” when they return from their furlough days.
This kind of stress could be a killer…literally…In Japan, workaholism was so common in the ’80s that workers sometimes dropped dead at their desks from “karoshi” (death by overwork).
As the late author of “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff — At Work,” Richard Carlson,said, “Being Dead Is Bad for Business.”
If you’ve dodged layoffs or gotten furloughed instead. So far, so good. Turn that stress and extra work into an opportunity to gain some new work experiences but remember to take care of yourself, be mindful of your personal health and your personal life.
You’re no good to anyone if you’re stressed, sick — or worse…
Students now compete for the jobs of the future
Last night I met an impressive team of brainy Wake County high school kids as they went over some last minute strategies before their trip to the NASA/VCU Regional Competition in Richmond Virginia, next week. When you think of teams, you may think of sports, but Team Awkward Turtle is competing in a different kind of gameLabeled the Superbowl of Technology or the ultimate mind sportThe rules of the game are framed by an international organization called FIRST or (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology); and each team only has a few week to train for the big game.
I come from the school of thought that robots are for the future. Boy have these kids proven me wrong! Watching how these young people strategize, program and operate such this technology at such an advanced level, made me think of how behind I am technologically. Our future is technology. These young people are our future. The rest of us need to catch up.
Check out the video to see what we talked about or visit MyNC.com and type in the keyword “team awkward turtle.”
Triangle youth share their talents on MyNC.com
Learning in and through the arts should be a vital part of every child’s education — no matter where they live or what their background is.
Throughout my life I have thrived off of the arts. Performing and visual arts have always been and will always be a part of my life.
The arts provided skills and knowledge that helped me to develop the creativity and determination necessary to be successful in today’s global information age.
The MyNC.com online community is full of arts education advocates, focusing on the efforts and successes of local organizations, communities, and schools who are all working to keep the arts (in all of their forms) alive in our youth.
I produced this video to demonstrate how Triangle area youth embraced art, culture, technology and new ways of expressing themselves throughout the month of February on MyNC.com.
Do you have positive and inspiring stories, images and video highlighting the smart young people in your communities and schools?? Then GET SMART! Share them on MyNC.com and you may be featured on Smart Talk on MyNC next!
The Lost Boys of Southern Sudan find a home away from home in the Triangle
This morning I met a Chapel Hill resident that has planned Triangle-area events intended to educate American students, teachers and the general public on both the current and past conflicts of Sudanese history and to raise awareness for the continued suffering of the Sudanese people.
The Lost Boys of Southern Sudan will arrive on March 21st and visit UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State and Meredith College the 23-25th to tell their stories.
40 days and 40 nights of giving.
Every year, around this time, my parents lay the old Catholic guilt on me until I vocalize at least one item I will give up for Lent.
Yesterday, (Ash Wednesday) kicked off the Lenten season which leads up to Easter. I grew up going to Catholic school and understand the whole premise behind Lent. Lent marks a time of humility, repentance, and soul searching as one draws closer to the Passion of Christ.
It seems to be “in style” to give up things like sweets, carbs…even facebook! But, I ask myself W.W.J.D.? Does giving up any of these things make you more conscious of the Lord? Maybe…
My stepdad gives up EVERYTHING for lent. I mean, everything: meat, sweets, dressings, condiments, coffee. Basically, the only things he can consume are plain pasta, bread and water…I commend him for it.
Sure, I thought about giving up the internet for lent, but being that I really need my job, I decided against it. I could give up caffeine or dessert, but i’m a much more pleasant contributor to the world around me when I have those things in my life, so that would sort of defeat the purpose.
Instead, I decided to follow my grandmother’s Lenten wisdom. She’s what I would call a good Catholic and she has always told me that she gives back instead of giving up during Lent.
How can I give back to my family, my friends, loved ones and the world around me during the 40 days leading up to Easter?
I am committed to giving more of myself, sharing words of encouragement and demonstrating positive actions and thoughts until Easter and beyond.
The Lenten sacrifice need not involve giving up something. Making it all about giving back–to me–seems to mean so much more.
Sweet dreams are made of this
Where Kisses Make Dreams Come True
In my opinion, successful relationships are build on a few essential elements. Love, Trust…and Chocolate being at the top of that list.
After a romantic chocolate-covered february weekend at the Hershey Lodge and Hotel Hershey’s Chocolate Spa in Hershey, Pa. you will be hard pressed to convince me otherwise.
Friday, Brendan and I arrived at an unusually crowded Hershey Lodge, where we checked in along with what seemed like droves of other couples (who we later learned were there for some sort of married-people conference).
My Chocolate Martini
We dined at the Hotel Hershey’s Fountain Cafe, where we finished dinner off with the most incredible chocolate mousse pie I have ever tasted–and a chocolate martini.
Saturday, we both crossed town, once again, to the Hotel Hershey where we had a couples day of chocolate spa happiness where I experienced a chocolate scrub, chocolate fondue wrap and massage. I had never had a body wrap and felt a bit helpless laying in my chocolate cocoon under warm overhead lights for 20 minutes, but was pleased with the results. Mom always said that beauty hurts…
Brendan and I reunited in the common areas or “quiet rooms” in between sessions for a spa lunch and sipped on a sinful mix of hot chocolate, chocolate muffins, chocolate kisses–which left me feeling a little dizzy by day’s end.
Hershey's Chocolate World
Relaxed from a day of pampering, as if it couldn’t get any better…we then visited Hershey’s Chocolate World which features a large store selling every Hershey candy (and some that you’ve never seen before) an interactive exhibit on chocolate and a 3-D show about Milton Hershey and the company he founded. We took an entertaining and informative tour of the Hershey Chocolate Factory, which to me was fascinating. I, of course, loaded up on some up the unique “not yet in stores” chocolate items (like New York Cheesecake Hershey’s Kisses) to take home with me.
Love and life…all covered in chocolate? Life is sweet. 
New Way To Get Around This Weekend
It’s the weekend and about now we are all unwinding from the work week trying to figure out what we’re going to do, who we’re going to see and how we’re going to get there.
Well, if you plan to stick around Raleigh this weekend, I have the answer to one of those questions.
Last Friday, Raleigh’s Mayor Meeker formally introduced a new, eco-friendly approach to urban transportation to Downtown Raleigh residents and visitors.
The DOWNTOWN CIRCULATOR (or the R-Line) is a FREE service that features hybrid electric buses that will connect you to restaurants, retail, entertainment venues, museums, hotels, and parking facilities in downtown Raleigh.
I’ve been in Raleigh since 1998. I’ve seen it grow and flourish, but i’ve always been disappointed by the choices available for public transportation in and around the Triangle. This is just what we need to tie it all together. I predict this being a huge step in the right direction for the downtown Raleigh area.
Buses run every 10-15 minutes, so it seems to be a great new way to get around town for resident, employees or visitors. After 6:30 p.m., the R-Line route will also include the City Market area and the warehouse district.
It’s going to be a cold weekend, but there are no excuse not to get out and contribute to our local economy in Downtown Raleigh this weekend…because you can park, ride and it won’t cost you a dime!
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Wednesday (7 am-11 pm)
Thursday-Saturday (7 am-2:15 am)
Sunday (1 pm-8 pm)
Raleigh Convention Center
500 S. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC
(919) 831-6013
How to love a supermodel this Valentines Day…
No Valentine yet? How does mixing and mingling with supermodels for a cause sound this Valentine’s Day?
Here’s your chance…
“Love Stinks…yeah, yeah.” a Black and White Anti-Valentines Day Party on Friday, February 13, from 9-11 p.m. at Mosquito Nightclub at The Depot in Downtown Raleigh benefits individuals with autism throughout North Carolina with the Mr. and Mrs. Love Assassin Competition. The male and female model that raises the most donations for autism wins the model package.
Each vote is $1 and every dollar goes to support individuals with autism.
Votes/purchases will be accepted until 6p.m. on February 13. Results will be announced at the event that evening at Mosquito.
You will be asked for credit card info at checkout. Accepted cards include Visa, MasterCard and Discover.
To learn more about how you can snag a supermodel this Valentine’s Day visit: http://store.appcomm.net/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=asnc2&Category_Code=Feb132009
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