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December 2007 Archives

Ring bell for psychic?

Doesn't the "psychic" know you're there?


Unclear on the concept.....

December 31, 2007 04:17 PM   Link    Fun    Comments (0)

Christmas in NYC

Spent a lovely five days and nights in NYC at Christmas.

Saw two fun shows - "Spamalot" and "Is He Dead?" - and the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall - all highly recommended.

Enjoyed several evenings wandering through the holiday shops and watching the ice skaters at Bryant Park. Although the ice rink at Rockefeller Center is the famous one, Bryant Park is beautiful and it is not crowded so you can watch from the rink wall, shouting out encouragement to the newbies of all ages. Great fun, and some of the skaters are excellent.

Took youngest child to see Santa at Macy's. Although the Macy windows were a disappointment (the Bergdorf Goodman and Lord & Taylor windows were much better), the Santa we visited at Macy's was the REAL SANTA! The beard, the voice, the laugh, the Santa outfit - SPECTACULAR! And despite having dealt with crowds for hours, ALL the elves were smiling and filled with Christmas cheer.



The Christmas tree at the Met was, as always, beautiful and worth the trip.

Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC

Had an outstanding meal in Chinatown at Sanur and good dim sum at The Chatham. Also had a very good lunch at Toasties and enjoyed the jazz brunch at Rare Bar & Grill in the Shelburne Hotel.

The holiday train show at Grand Central is always fun.

The 7-day unlimited ride Metro card for only $24 made it easy to go all over the city using the subway and buses. An amazing bargain.

Merry Christmas!

December 30, 2007 10:37 AM   Link    Fun    Comments (0)

BEWARE Amazon Pro Merchant sellers - Amazon will close fully paid Pro Merchant seller accounts with no notice

We have been selling on Amazon for several years. Today, attempting to access our Amazon seller account we continued to get a "no such account" message. What the #@#@!?!?!

When we contacted Amazon seller support, we were told that our Pro Merchant account had been shut down because of unspecified activity. What the #@#@!?!?!? Amazon seller customer service could not give any more information.

We were given no notice that our Amazon Pro Merchant seller account was being closed; we only happened to discover it when we attempted to access it Friday evening to check some inventory.

Despite Amazon having our COMPLETE contact information, including email address, cell phone number, and office phone number, Amazon NEVER contacted us to alert us that they were closing our Amazon buyer and Pro Merchant seller accounts.

This unilateral action by Amazon is the equivalent of renting a store, and, despite paying your rent on time and in full, the landlord comes to your store when you aren't there and not only closes your store, but disposes of all of your inventory. With no notice and no warning. And no explanation.

This enormous breach of trust and complete failure by Amazon to contact us to let us know that Amazon was closing our buyer and Pro Merchant seller accounts with no advance notice, indeed, with no attempt to contact us, has now caused us to examine our relationship, and trust in, Amazon.

If you use Amazon as a buyer or seller, especially as a Pro Merchant seller, be very careful of all information you entrust to Amazon.

As a seller we are now very reluctant to continue to sell items on Amazon due to Amazon's failure to notify us or to make any attempt to contact us to let us know they were closing our account. (And yes, our seller account fees were paid in full and current.)

If you are an Amazon Pro Merchant seller, be warned. You might find your account closed and your inventory pulled - WITH NO NOTICE and for no reason. Sheesh.

December 28, 2007 09:27 PM   Link    Caution    Comments (1)

Congressional Deskbook: "Custody of the Papers"

Custody of the Papers: Custody of the engrossed measure and other documents that the two chambers produce as they try to reconcile differences in their versions of a measure.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This definition is from our Congressional Deskbook.

Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms.
Learn how to translate words that are used every day on Capitol Hill.
4 x 9 inches, 16 pages

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

The Pocket Dictionary is based on the Congressional Deskbook, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider.

TheCapitol.Net offers training and a Certificate Program in Congressional Operations and Federal Budgeting, we show you how Washington and Congress work. TM


December 28, 2007 01:17 PM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

Media Tip 25

Media Tip 25: Press Advisories—Use press advisories to alert the media to upcoming events. Include basic information, such as the topic, time, and place.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This tip is from our booklet, Media Relations Tips: 102 Secrets for Finding Success in Public Relations.

Practical tips for anyone who works with the media, works with someone who works with the media, or who works at an organization that is covered in the media.  An easy handout for everyone in your group to make sure that they are prepared and confident if they ever have to deal with the media.
4 x 9 inches, 15 pages

Based on the Media Relations Handbook, by Brad Fitch.

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

TheCapitol.Net offers Media Training and Communication and Advocacy Training, and is the exclusive provider of Congressional Quarterly (CQ) Executive Conferences.


December 25, 2007 01:24 PM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

Congressional Deskbook: "Self-Executing Rule"

Self-Executing Rule: If specified, the House’s adoption of a special rule may also have the effect of amending or passing the underlying measure. Also called a “hereby” rule.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This definition is from our Congressional Deskbook.

Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms.
Learn how to translate words that are used every day on Capitol Hill.
4 x 9 inches, 16 pages

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

The Pocket Dictionary is based on the Congressional Deskbook, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider.

TheCapitol.Net offers training and a Certificate Program in Congressional Operations and Federal Budgeting, we show you how Washington and Congress work. TM


December 21, 2007 09:27 AM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

Who Pays Federal Taxes?




Source: Marginal Revolution, December 18, 2007; "Historical Effective Federal Tax Rates: 1979 to 2005," CBO, December 2007 (8-page pdf PDF)

CRS Reports




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December 19, 2007 08:37 AM   Link    Caught Our Eye    Comments (0)

Media Tip 37

Media Tip 37: To develop a communications plan:
• Identify and clarify objectives;
• Establish milestones and timelines;
• Identify and organize allies;
• Develop an action plan; and
• Conduct contingency planning.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This tip is from our booklet, Media Relations Tips: 102 Secrets for Finding Success in Public Relations.

Practical tips for anyone who works with the media, works with someone who works with the media, or who works at an organization that is covered in the media.  An easy handout for everyone in your group to make sure that they are prepared and confident if they ever have to deal with the media.
4 x 9 inches, 15 pages

Based on the Media Relations Handbook, by Brad Fitch.

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

TheCapitol.Net offers Media Training and Communication and Advocacy Training, and is the exclusive provider of Congressional Quarterly (CQ) Executive Conferences.


December 18, 2007 09:17 AM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

Homer Simpson does Noah Kalina






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December 17, 2007 09:27 AM   Link    Humor    Comments (0)

When your Karate instructor gets beat up by an interior decorator....

I'm not in the least bit shocked that the CIA would try to destroy the tapes of an interrogation. It's a spy agency for God's sake, not an accounting firm. The whole foundation of the CIA is based on secrecy and covert operations, not transparency and accountability. Yet I too have to confess to being shocked by this revelation. Why? Well, apparently our top spy agency is too inept to handle even a simple cover up operation. This is a very despairing revelation.

It's sort of like finding out that your Karate instructor was beaten up by an interior decorator.

"What is the CIA doing?" Ernie the Attorney, December 7, 2007



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December 16, 2007 11:47 AM   Link    Caught Our Eye    Comments (0)

Congressional Deskbook: "Borrowing Authority"

Borrowing Authority: Spending authority that permits a federal agency to incur obligations and to make payments for specified purposes out of funds borrowed from the Treasury or the public.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This definition is from our Congressional Deskbook.

Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms.
Learn how to translate words that are used every day on Capitol Hill.
4 x 9 inches, 16 pages

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

The Pocket Dictionary is based on the Congressional Deskbook, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider.

TheCapitol.Net offers training and a Certificate Program in Congressional Operations and Federal Budgeting, we show you how Washington and Congress work. TM


December 14, 2007 11:27 AM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

Eamonn's

Fish and chips - and chicken nuggets - at Eamonn’s in Old Town.




Fish - cod




Chips




Chicken nuggets



Eamonn’s--A Dublin Chipper, web site, 728 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-299-8384 [Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide | Washingtonian | WaPo | MenuPages | City Paper]

December 13, 2007 05:47 PM   Link    Dining    Comments (0)

Media Tip 57

Media Tip 57: Make fast pitches to radio stations. Reporters usually aren’t interested in advancing the story or new angles—they just want sound bites to add to stories already written.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This tip is from our booklet, Media Relations Tips: 102 Secrets for Finding Success in Public Relations.

Practical tips for anyone who works with the media, works with someone who works with the media, or who works at an organization that is covered in the media.  An easy handout for everyone in your group to make sure that they are prepared and confident if they ever have to deal with the media.
4 x 9 inches, 15 pages

Based on the Media Relations Handbook, by Brad Fitch.

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

TheCapitol.Net offers Media Training and Communication and Advocacy Training, and is the exclusive provider of Congressional Quarterly (CQ) Executive Conferences.


December 11, 2007 08:37 AM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

Real or artificial tree?

"New Yorkers should really never be included in any survey of what normal Americans do."

"re: Did You Know?" by Kathryn Jean Lopez, The Corner, December 7, 2007



Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC

The Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, November 20, 2007 - January 6, 2008.


December 7, 2007 08:27 AM   Link    Caught Our Eye    Comments (0)

Congressional Deskbook: "Lame-Duck Session"

Lame Duck Session: Session of Congress held after the election for the succeeding Congress.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This definition is from our Congressional Deskbook.

Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms.
Learn how to translate words that are used every day on Capitol Hill.
4 x 9 inches, 16 pages

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

The Pocket Dictionary is based on the Congressional Deskbook, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider.

TheCapitol.Net offers training and a Certificate Program in Congressional Operations and Federal Budgeting, we show you how Washington and Congress work. TM


December 7, 2007 08:17 AM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

Media Tip 2

Media Tip 2: Never underestimate the superficial nature of the media. Simple ideas, well told, get attention. A visual stunt or a celebrity spokesman will usually draw more press—and get your message across better—than a profound policy statement.

Booklets customizable for your organization

This tip is from our booklet, Media Relations Tips: 102 Secrets for Finding Success in Public Relations.

Practical tips for anyone who works with the media, works with someone who works with the media, or who works at an organization that is covered in the media.  An easy handout for everyone in your group to make sure that they are prepared and confident if they ever have to deal with the media.
4 x 9 inches, 15 pages

Based on the Media Relations Handbook, by Brad Fitch.

The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page.

TheCapitol.Net offers Media Training and Communication and Advocacy Training, and is the exclusive provider of Congressional Quarterly (CQ) Executive Conferences.


December 4, 2007 11:17 PM   Link    Tips and Terms    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Steve Roberts

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Steve Roberts (bio), a journalist, political commentator, and the J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of Media and Public Affairs at the George Washington University, shares his favorites.

Favorite Places to Visit

Fun Things to Do

Favorite Restaurants

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages


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December 1, 2007 08:07 AM   Link    Dining ~   Dining and Things to Do & See ~   Faculty Favorites ~   Living in DC ~   Visiting Washington, DC    Comments (0)