Have you given up looking for work? Do you think there are no jobs left to apply for? If so, you might benefit from watching “The Fairy Job Mother” Thursdays on Lifetime. Hayley Taylor, an employment expert from the U.K., is here to help the unemployed regain their confidence and get back in the workforce. Recently she met with Ray and Deanna Senior. Deanna, formerly an interior designer, earned over $200,000 a year. Ray is a mechanic who also worked in pool construction. They lost their jobs within weeks of each other. Living beyond their means without any savings quickly resulted in losing their home. The family of six (four children) were forced to move in with Ray’s parents. They have been there two years. After meeting the family Hayley observes their behavior. It is apparent Deanna is truly “the alpha female” that Ray described. He describes himself as hardworking, capable of delegating responsibility but has not looked for work in a week. The next step is a financial assessment. Hayley reviews their income (approximately $2,466 a month) and outgo meeting with much resistance from Deanna. Its obvious Ray does not have an accurate picture of their spending, leaving it to Deanna and his parents to fill in the gaps. Now the action plan begins. First, Hayley prompts Ray’s parents to issue a deadline for them to move out. Then off to the library to prepare new resumes. Here is where Hayley’s employment expertise comes in. She points out Deanna’s resume is too long (three pages) and although Ray’s objective is to be a mechanic, he did not include his experience. Moving on, Hayley arranges for Ray and Deanna to do some work at the Westin Mission Hills Hotel followed by knocking on doors and handing in their resumes. After they have interview scheduled Hayley kicks into high gear. She interviews them the way a prospective employer would. She provides feedback on their answers, appearance and offers suggestions like not bringing your cell phone into the interview. Make eye contact, do not fidget in your chair, cover any tattoos and dress professionally. Predictably, by the end of the hour Deanna and Ray are offered jobs. Deanna will start at an art gallery and Ray with Paradise Volkswagen. Despite her resistance, Deanna admits they could not have done it without Hayley's help. If you are unemployed, the show could give you useful ideas that work. You may see mistakes to avoid. Epilogue: Deanna eventuall accepts a catering position to better balance work and family. Ray did not take the job with Paradise Volkswagen. Maybe there is a show in that. |
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
What's Eating You on E
We are a nation plagued by image while struggling with obesity. How we look impacts how others treat us and how we treat ourselves. Many people, men and women, develop eating disorders to look good but find themselves in an agonizing lifestyle that accelerates their death.
Wednesday nights on E “What’s Eating You” takes a very close look at individuals grappling with eating disorders. They meet with therapists to uncover the reasons for developing this defense system and attempt, with their help, to break free of it.
Mona, 41, had lap band surgery two and a half years ago. Although the resulting pouch is the size of a golf ball, she eats past its capacity, purging twenty times a day.
We learn that Mona grew up singing in her father’s Pentecostal church. After being molested by her friend’s father, she decided to make herself unattractive. She eventually got a contract and recorded the number hit “We Can Make it” in 1992. Her fear of success drove her to eat more and the record company dropped her when she hit 400 pounds.
Andrew, 23, was one of eight children. He was a chubby kid who grew up watching his mother be beaten by different boyfriends. Eventually he lost weight and became a track star in high school. He lost a scholarship when he broke his tibia from over exercising. Fearful of weight gain he became bulimic. During the day, he will drink ten cups of coffee and eat two packs of gum. If he does eat food he immediately binges and purges after. When he feels extra stressed he also cuts himself.
The episodes are quite graphic. We watch the individual buy food, consume and dispose of it. It is even more jarring because the footage switches from color to black and white throughout the hour.
Sometimes there is progress but not always.
By the end of the hour Mona has stop binging, lost twenty-two pounds and is performing again.
Andrew cut himself so deeply he needed seventy stitches. His roommates ask him to move out and he has no place to go
Watch an episode and see for yourself
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