Mother’s Day

I wish every mother out there a Happy Mother’s Day, including my mother. You know from time to time, I go on a rant about my mother’s way, but I realize I share some traits with my mom like cooking, eating, and believing too much (in her case, infomercials). I honor of my mother, here are her favorite things:

For the vegans:

Mom’s Cooking on Pinterest

A Glenn Brenner-George Michael Movie

In the past year, I have been think of writing five screenplays about Washington D.C. like Barry Levinson’s Baltimore series (Diner, Tin Men, Avalon, Liberty Heights). The reason I’m thinking about doing these screenplays is I don’t like people talk about D.C. being purely a political town. That might be the outside view, but if you live in the area, it is much more than that. Here’s the five I’m thinking of doing:

• One involving how the happy hour/networking scene works in D.C.
• One is an action flick about an athletic policeman using his speed and intelligence to catch criminals and who has shady parents.
• One about Mike Rizzo (though that might be scrapped depending on the outcome).
• One about the beauty of Washington D.C.

The final one is about the D.C. newscasts of the 80s and 90s between WUSA and WRC (now referred as NBC4). However, I’m still deciding what angle to tackle.

The NBC4 team

My initial thought is doing a movie on the NBC4 team of Jim Vance, Doreen Gentzler, George Michael, and Bob Ryan (and Arch Campbell for good measure). To me, WRC has the best local news team in the country. I have seen other local news broadcasts on YouTube. They don’t hold a candle to WRC.

The characters set-up perfectly: Jim is a former cocaine addict who likes to ad-lib on air and lives in a freestyle world. Doreen is a straightforward anchor who is a healthy nut. George is a loud, abrasive perfectionist. Bob is…Bob. Those four were the gold standard of local news as a team and I would like to write what happens behind-the-scenes of why they were a great team. from this Washingtonian article, it would be hard to edit to a 2-3 hour movie.

Glenn Brenner

Although NBC4 might have the best local news team ever, Glenn Brenner might be the best broadcaster in D.C. history. Yes, he’s a sports anchor, but there was no one who brought the city together like Brenner with his no-nonsense reporting and interviewing, and his banter and wit with Gordon Peterson and Maureen Bunyan. You can argue that the only people who can really walk on the Potomac River are Joe Gibbs and Glenn Brenner.

Not only Glenn was a great broadcaster, he was (and still is) the pioneer of the current sports broadcaster people try to emulate: style, wit, and flair into the sports highlight. Although people have tried, no one comes close to Glenn. It was until his death in 1992 everything changed: WUSA, the top-rated news program in D.C., sank to 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th in the ratings and never have recovered after Brenner’s death. Meanwhile, NBC4 jumped to the number one and never looked back. The D.C. news landscape changed.

Personal experience

I have very little to no memory of any Glenn Brenner’s broadcast. I do remember some of the Weenie of the Week segments, the nun predicting games because my family was Catholic, and Countdown to Kickoff. I remember there was a mention of Glenn Brenner’s death during the NFC Championship Game broadcast, which the Redskins played and won. It’s a coincidence that a year after Glenn passed away, CBS got David Letterman to host the 11:35 PM time slot. Imagine following a  Glenn Brenner sports report, you got the Late Show. To be honest, D.C. would be more ironic, smarter, and possibly funnier in the 90s.

Although a lot of people will remember Glenn, I had a connection with George Michael and the NBC4 team. With no cable and no sports networks, they were my source of news and they were great. I especially like George Michael’s segments on wrestling and his blooper reels. I was crushed after hearing George’s death because that was essentially the last part of the golden era of local sports media gone. If Brenner revolutionize sports reporting, George build a cottage farm of the current TV sports personalities (see Kornheiser, Wilbon, David Aldridge, Lindsay Czarniak).

I’m amazed there hasn’t been a movie/documentary about WUSA and NBC4. That was the golden age of local newscasts and you had two different styles to choose from and it would be a very entertaining movie

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a screenwriter and won’t have any time as I’m trying to find a career opportunity and do need some funding, but I hope there is someone out there who can make this movie/documentary about the local D.C. news scene involving the personalities. Those personalities made D.C. great back then and it would make a great movie now.

Additional items to the post:

The Redskins Name

In the D.C. Area, there has been a lot of talk about the Redskins nickname. Recently, there has been a surge of coverage and protesters who want Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins, to rename the team. The reason for this surge is the popularity of Robert Griffin III. People believe if RGIII stands on an issue, everyone will follow and accept it, hence these protests and exhibits in D.C. to bring the movement forward.

On one side, “Redskin” is slang for a racial descriptor for Native Americans that is meant to offend. Also, the Redskins name didn’t come from D.C.; it came from Boston when George Preston Marshall had complete control of the Boston Braves, renamed it the Redskins and then moved the team to D.C. in 1937 to reach the southern market. Although Marshall has done charitable things in the D.C. area, he was a promoter first and that means pander to his audience and that is the southern market. He also change the lyrics of “Hail to the Redskins” from “Fight for old D.C.” to “Fight for old Dixie.” It has since change back to the original lyrics.

On the other side, most proponents of keeping the Redskins name say it is keeping the tradition and using surveys of Native Americans stating they aren’t offended with the term. Although that might be true, they don’t give a strong argument of keeping the name. To make a stronger argument, you have to see the organization’s intent of using the name. In my opinion, Dan Snyder is using it to the best represent Native American culture. At worst, he is profiting out of the name but not out of racism, but with their history of success in the 1980s.

The tiebreaker to me and why I’m for keeping the name is the Washington Redskins have redefine the name. Instead of using it as a racial slur, the Redskins represent community, greatness (in the 80s), unity, and pride. As an example, look at the “Harlem Shake.” The Harlem Shake was popularized by the people of Harlem, NY, but it has gain worldwide recognition because of a few random people started a meme that everyone can enjoy by randomly dancing and wearing costumes and bring joy. Although the initial term for “redskin” had a negative connotation, the Washington Redskins have change it enough that a slur is secondary.

Then why all this hatred of the Redskins name? Frankly, it is not about the Redskins name, but the person currently behind the Redskins name. Dan Snyder is one of the most polarizing figures in this area. On one hand, he has used his money trying to buy a Super Bowl and use the Redskins as a marketing tool and not building an actual football team, although in the past few years, he has change his image some. Also, he hasn’t been friendly to fans and media members here locally. If Snyder had change his persona some years back, maybe there would be some deflection on the Redskins name, but most of the hype on the Redskins name is caused by him, either directly or indirectly.

Tony Kornheiser was right that the Redskins name will or will not change because it is simply to be correct. The question is what is correct? Do we leave the word alone because we were told it was bad, do we fight to change the meaning to be correct, or is there another reason?

Eleven Years Ago

As everyone witness the tragedy, the horror, the drama, and relief in Boston all in one week, the situation, to a lesser degree, was similar to the three weeks of what happened in October 2002.

Back in October 2002, John Muhammed and Lee Malvo terrorize the D.C. Area and killed 10 people by using their sniper rifle and wounded more. At the end of the month, Muhammed and Malvo were caught while sleeping in their car and was arrested. As a result, Malvo gets life in prison without parole, and Muhammed was given the death penalty and in 2009, he became deceased through lethal injection.

I remember the chaos and mismanagement of information from who were the suspects to what car they were driving. It is similar in Boston when social media and the real media were throwing information like throwing spaghetti to a refrigerator and see if it sticks.

The shooting struck me in more ways than one. The first is this was going on in the D.C. Area, my hometown. The second was the shooting was random from shopping malls to gas stations. The third was the one of shootings was at Bailey’s Crossroads, which the Eden Center is located, the business hub for Vietnamese people in Northern Virginia. Finally, the lookout for the white vans, when in reality, we should have look for a blue Chevrolet Caprice.

This was the only time I got scared going in public because the snipers were targeting areas people go everyday. I always took the bus to George Mason and my stop was next to a gas station and I had duck whenever I saw a white van (seriously). That month was terrifying, but when the suspects were captured, my routine was back to normal, although my parents, being the paranoids they are, we’re worried if I go outside the house or even cross the street, they keep explaining to me every day for 11 years.

I know Boston was worse with the degree of violence and hundreds of people were affected, but with social media and technology (and their character), they got their suspects in 4 days. I know if we had social media and advanced technology in 2002, the police would got the D.C. sniper suspects definitely less than the month.

Sadly, evil will still exist and this is the new normal we are living. The incidents in Boston reminds me too much of 2002 and how much the world has change. The only thing to defeat terrorism: Go on with our daily lives and be on alert, not fear.

On Boston

I have never been to Boston. I want to one day. I have a few friends there and from my friends who have visited there, they say  it’s a great city.

I’m wondering why would someone terrorize a beautiful place in their most prestigious holiday? Even in most wars in the Middle East, they don’t fight on holidays, but after the holiday and when midnight strikes, they fight again like a Black Friday sales event. Someone broke that cardinal rule and ruined what is Boston’s holiday.

To make matters worse, the bomb was set up near the VIP section of the families who were affected by the Newtown tragedy. On top of that, of the 3 reported dead, one of them was an eight-year old boy.

Then I realize the date: April 15. It was Patriots Day, but it was also Tax Day, where people must file their taxes. For some, patriots and taxes don’t go hand-in-hand. Although there are no suspects and we don’t know the reason for the attack, I wouldn’t be shock if this was the reason.

Why would someone do a selfish act of taking lives of others because their situation was not great? Are they really that paranoid that someone has ruined their opportunity and take it out on the innocent? I had a lot of bad days, but I fight through it because I have supportive family and friends.

We try to find the reason for why someone is evil and why they do heinous acts. What I learned from living on this earth is don’t think about why their evil… Attack them with kindness like a hug, handshake, fist bump, etc. Attack them by striking a conversation. Attack them by helping them “cross the finish line.” Look at the Boston first responders. When the explosion happened, the first responders attack through the barricades and rescue as many lives as they can. People get depressed when they feel disrespected, betrayed, and/or abandoned. Some will channel that into good, but some would think evil as their last resort.

We can have all the laws enact to have more gun control, more security, and more freedom to protect ourselves, but there will still be evil around. To combat that, we can’t be on the defensive; we have to be on the offensive and attack the problem head on. We can be scared for a second or even a minute, but eventually, we have to face it no matter what. Isn’t that we want to do and ask for is face our fears?

 

The Late Night Wars

I started watching the late night shows after hearing that Jay Leno was replacing Johnny Carson at the Tonight Show and not David Letterman, who went to CBS after that decision. I didn’t watch the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson or Late Night with David Letterman because I was already in bed and I was a kid.

I got interested in the late night wars from the backstage politics in Bill Carter’s book, “The Late Shift;” and later on, the TV movie where Kathy Bates portrayed the scariest TV character ever as Helen Kushnick, Jay Leno’s agent. You can tell from the start Letterman was the better overall host than Leno. When Letterman started, he was the late-night king…until O.J. came in.

When O.J. Simpson case came, Leno took off with tons of O.J. jokes and Dancing Itos and never looked back. It was then people realize Leno can be topical and want . meanwhile, Letterman never did one joke of the O.J. Simpson case because it involved murder. At that moment, Letterman dropped to number 2 in the late-night ratings, even joke that he was #3:

via Washington Post

Between the years, Leno has been atop of the ratings and Letterman had moments he will be on top such as the show when he returned from quintuple bypass surgery, 9/11, the birth of his son, Oprah’s return, his marriage, his extortion, and others.

I have debated with my friends why the untalented Leno is beating Letterman in the ratings. It range from:

• The O.J. Simpson case
• Local news affiliate ratings
• The NFL
• Letterman’s Oscar performance

But we all agree Leno has done perfectly well dumbing down his old comedic act and reach middle America. This is why Leno has been atop the ratings because he has distinguish himself from the other talk show hosts (not to be meant as a compliment). On the other hand, Letterman is beloved by critics, media, other comedians, and loyal fans. His old and current show is now influence to other talk shows. However, his influence has saturated throughout TV, it has cost him some of his audience.

This leads to where we are now. if the late night wars were crazy in the 90s, it’s much crazier today. The whole thing started actually in 2004 when Conan O’Brien renew his contract with NBC, but in that contract, it states he will get the Tonight Show in 2009 after Leno “retires” or NBC has to pay large sums of money to Conan. Fast forward to 2009, Leno was moved to the 10PM spot to boost NBC’s primetime ratings and Conan got the Tonight Show. After disappointing ratings for both shows, NBC decided to move Leno back to the Tonight Show and gave a huge buyout to Conan. After a few months from being booted from the Tonight Show, Conan signed on with TBS.

Fast forward to today and Leno is getting the boot again; this time to Jimmy Fallon. NBC was worried about losing the 18-49 audience to ABC and Jimmy Kimmel, hence they want to make the move now. It looks like a smoother transition than in 2009.

People are wondering why remove Leno from the Tonight Show again, although he has the highest ratings of all the late-night shows? Look at the demographics: not one late-night show, with the exception of Conan, has an average age of their viewers below 40 (none of the broadcast network late-night talk shows average age is below 50) with Leno being one of the highest with his average age of 59. This doesn’t mean people are watching the shows; they are watching in different ways, mostly on the web. By that standard, Leno has the one of the oldest audiences and has no buzz on his shows online. It was smart for NBC trying to make the transition now.

So now we’re back in the late night wars, but unlike previous years, there’s much variety and it depends on your preference. Here’s I see each host:

Jimmy Fallon: the most entertaining host of the bunch, but a terrible interviewer. He will not offend anyone and seems like a genuine guy, unlike Leno, although his “meme” doing a duet with Leno was awkward and felt forced. He is the younger version of Leno, except that he never hid in a closet.

Jimmy Kimmel: A Letterman fan and emulates most of his stuff. He has become a better interviewer and his “fight” with Matt Damon is very entertaining. His next step is if he can get an interview with a newsmaker like the President or Secretary of State and have depth. He has not been tested yet.

Jon Stewart: Arguably the most popular host with his format, although it feels like an ensemble cast and him playing the ringmaster. Although he does get big guests, his interviews seems to have too much thinking. The past year or so, he seems grown tired of the job and could be why he’s taking a leave of absence to make a movie.

Conan O’Brien: The forgotten late night host (like I just did) on TBS. Although he has the smallest audience, his average age of viewers is below 40 and still gets traction from online videos. His show has become routine, but has become a better interviewer than anyone expected.

Stephen Colbert: Probably the best all-around host out there now. He can do skits; pull jokes with ease; handle interviews, big and small; very quick and witty. The only question is if this is caricature or mostly himself? Sometimes, he blurs the line between both, but it could be why I view his show as the only one you can watch from start to finish.

Craig Ferguson: If Stephen Colbert represents the David Letterman of the past, Craig Ferguson represents the Letterman of the present. Ferguson is relatable and will connect the audience through jokes, skits, and his personal stories. He can be on and off on most of his segments, but his interviews are the best; either flirting with a woman or serious talk with the likes of Desmond Tutu and others. He’s the likely successor of Letterman. Speaking of Letterman…

David Letterman: the old Letterman was an original. The now 66-year old Letterman is a shell of its old self, but he can be still entertaining. You can skip the first 20 minutes of the show as Letterman is milking it in and doesn’t participate or write his skits anymore. It’s the last 40 minutes that keeps it interesting. His interviews can go hot or cold depends on the guest, but that what makes it great because he will tell if the conversation stinks or not.

Since Leno is leaving, there are two questions left open:

1. Who will replace Jimmy Fallon on Late Night?
2. When will Letterman retire?

On who will replace Fallon; the money is on Seth Meyers of SNL, but the problem with Seth isn’t that he’s talented, but can NBC have two late night shows or can Seth go to L.A. to do that show? This is why I think Kevin Hart might be the choice as he’s from the west coast, has a lot of celebrity friends, and does a different show than Fallon. Then again, Lorne Michaels will have the final say.

On when will Letterman retire; that’s actually up in the air. I really think Letterman will want to stay until Leno is really retired or moved to Fox, where he becomes irrelevant. If Fallon does get behind Letterman in the ratings, NBC might want to ask Leno to be back, but I don’t think it would happen because Fallon has the right schtick for middle America. When that situation is cleared up, I think Letterman will be thinking about retirement, but seeing his idol, Johnny Carson, struggle with retirement, Letterman will likely delay that until his heart or his health is really not into it.

Another thing Letterman won’t retire anytime soon: CBS. CBS has no need for the young demographics as their audiences skews older than the rest of the networks, so there’s no rush. Also, CBS would want a conversationalist to join Ferguson when Letterman retires and those are hard to come by. If Letterman does retire soon, I think Bonnie Hunt or Alec Baldwin (check his podcast) would get a shot, but if Letterman stays this long and retires 5-10 years from now, Stephen Colbert is the likely replacement if he wants it.

To get attention, you must do something that will be talk about tomorrow. With videos and social media, the late-night shows are adjusting to that format to have their sound bites instead of focusing on the whole show. This is what I fear what talk shows are going to be from here on out. This is why the days of Carson and Letterman are likely long gone. There will be people who come close, but won’t have the impact like the old guard had.

Addendum:

Alec Baldwin’s conversation with David Letterman

Bill Simmons with Bill Carter

On Roger Ebert

I don’t know Roger Ebert personally like many others, but with his writings and his personality, you felt there’s a connection. Recently, I have read more about his Catholic beliefs since I am Catholic as well. His essays made me think I am not alone on this, which he writes eloquently. He was probably the best advocate of Catholicism than anyone, including priests. Since he is gone now, that mantle likely goes to Stephen Colbert.

Ebert is famous for his movie reviews and he was the source I trust him to find movies I should enjoy. If it wasn’t for Ebert, I wouldn’t discover the strangest movie I ever watched, Songs from the Second Floor.

And discover one of the best romantic films I’ve seen, Me and You and Everyone We Know.

Which includes, one of my favorite scenes:

By the way, I have a pink shirt with that famous symbol.

I am not sure there will be anyone who will speak gracefully about religion and film than Roger Ebert and the sad part is I don’t know anyone who can replace him. That is my disappointment why I’m going to miss him.

The Lisa Loeb Experience

Last Tuesday, I went to the Lisa Loeb concert at the Jammin’ Java in Vienna, Virginia. You’re wondering why a person who predominantly talks about sports, recruiting, Kornheiser, and others would attend a Lisa Loeb concert? Two reasons:

1. I really like her music.
2. If I ever get married and reach the 10-year anniversary marker, I would use my “free pass” on her, if given.

As for the concert, this was the second time I went to the Jammin’ Java to see a concert (my first encounter was in 2006. Details here). It mentioned on their website that the Lobby Bar was open at 6PM. However, Lisa flew from New York , where earlier, she was doing a live performance for VH1 and likely arrived late in Vienna. So, I stood in line for almost 45 minutes into the wind and at the same time, I had a conference call on a project I’m working on.

Around 7PM, the crowd enter in the Lobby Bar after sound checks were done and 30 minutes later, everyone enter to the stage to take the seat. I initially had a table, but apparently I was seated on the VIP table. I was in that seat for 30 minutes and met a father-daughter duo who sit next to me. The father was very talkative, while the daughter felt embarrassed that her father was talking to strangers (that would be me).  I mentioned to her that your father is fine and he’s not being a jerk and if I know your father is a jerk, I would walk away. I didn’t. The only time I had to walk away was when someone had VIP seats and was in one of them and had to walk behind the seats to not cause a scene. Everything worked out though, but I am further away from the stage.

The concert started with Satellite. It was a nice and quick 45 minute set from them and at 9PM, it was Lisa Loeb (and the Nine Stories). She played songs from the current album and play the classics. Lisa talks about being born in Bethesda, MD, but her family say they’re from D.C.

(As you know, if we discuss where I live, I tell them if they’re in the D.C. Metro area, I say I’m from Fairfax, VA, anywhere outside the D.C. area, I live in the D.C. region. It’s like Lisa and I are twins!)

Lisa also talks about going to Walgreens to find Passover Socks (or as she likes to call it, pey (P in Jewish alphabet) socks), why she made the album, and in an endearing way, she forgot some of her lyrics to some of the classics like “Fools Like Me.” Remember, it has been six years since her last adult album. In between, she got married and wrote children’s song. In her next to last set, she played “The Disappointing Pancake,” which is a creative children’s song.

After the concert, Lisa stayed to sign autographs, a quick chat, and taking pictures. I brought her Sing-Along book for my nephews and niece (please, don’t tell them it’s their Easter gift next week).

The only real disappointment of the night is that I didn’t take a picture with her and put it on my profile. Other than that, the concert was great and was the most transparent of the concerts I’ve been. This will likely be the last Lisa Loeb experience I will have and enjoy every bit of it. It felt like I was…ok, I said too much, but you know what I mean.

Album Review: No Fairy Tale is easily the most rocked-out album Lisa Loeb has done. Her tone and music shines through. The issue I have is Chad Gilbert’s involvement. Hearing about the guitarist from New Found Glory was involved, I got scared because I do not like pop-punk, especially from them. It does deter the album, but only a little. It is still a good album and would still buy it. If you have a choice between Camp Lisa and No Fairy Tale, take her children’s album first and if you have extra money leftover, you can buy No Fairy Tale.

My 2012

I know, the year in review is a little too late, but it was a busy past month for me that I forgot to write my own annual review.

As you know, I’m still searching for a contract or full-time recruiting opportunities in the D.C. area and I will spin-off Tran Recruiting to NatsJobs. That’s probably the only bad part of 2012. The rest was probably the most fun I had…ever.

It started in January when I first met Tony Kornheiser for the first time at the PTI studios.

In March , I had my first real vacation in Orlando to go to Disney World and Nationals Spring Training. It was great, but it is unlikely I will go to Orlando anytime soon, unless it’s with family.

During February and March, I went on a very strict diet of eating under or around 600 calories during Lent. The diet, plus the Kinect workouts, made me drop 50 lbs from 220 lbs. to 170-175 lbs. and I now have a size 36 waist and finally starting to wear size large outfits.

In June, I took my second trip outside Virginia that year to Atlanta for the SHRM Conference as a blogger. It was the first time I met most of the HR bloggers face-to-face and made the conference a great experience. Here are some of the memorable things I took away from the conference:

Then, I went on a second vacation to Williamsburg with the family in July. Went to a lot of roller coasters, games, decent food, ok entertainment, but here’s I’ll remember the trip.

It was a banner year for the D.C. sports teams with the Washington Nationals winning the NL East and returning summertime to Washington. The Washington Redskins drafted Robert Griffin III and rekindled the Redskins glory days and leading the team to the NFC East title. D.C. United return to prominence this year and were one step away to the MLS Cup Final. The Caps actually played hard and the Wizards…well… By the way, I predicted this would happen (except I got the McNabb part wrong).

It was mostly a good year for me (although if you think monetary, you think otherwise). Do I wish I had everything in 2012? Absolutely, but your plans are going to turn no matter what. You have to deal what is given to you.

The question now is what is going to happen in 2013? To be honest, I have no idea what’s going to happen. There is a lot of uncertainty in my area with the government still working on the debt ceiling/fiscal cliff deal that has government contractors on pins and needles, and to that effect, to the other sectors. 2013 looks like there’s going to be a lot of surprise turns and I have no idea what will be next. The only thing I know what will happen is on September 24, my mid-life crisis will begin.

Have a great 2013.

Personal PSA: I’m on Waivers

Over four years ago, I would never dream about owning a business, but with the terrible situation I was in at that time, I had to make a move. I got some advice from my alums at George Mason, Facebook, fellow HR/recruiting peers, family  and some friends to start initially a contingent recruiting firm, which is currently a recruiting consulting firm for nonprofits and associations.

I was excited to kick my business into gear. Then I realize, I was starting when the recession hit in 2008. I had little to no business in my first year and trying to stay alive. Luckily, I saved my salary and vacation money to carry me over a year.  During that one year, I discover how to use social media not only personally, but professionally. When I establish my foothold in social media,  clients came by and business started to pick up.  My HR/recruiting expertise plus social media gave me an advantage for more clients. 2010 and 2011 were great years for my business and I was optimistic my business would carry through 2012.

The first month was great with the D.C. Greatest Sports Fan contest and publicity from Tony Kornheiser that I got some requisitions. However, 2012 has been a huge downhill as the elections were coming and dealing with my clients, donations were down and state and federal funding have been slashed, hence not a lot of job openings for my clients and likely not  going to use me for a while.

Thus, I’m announcing that I’m on the Waiver Wire (I was going to say Free Agent, but Dan Pink stole my thunder).

So, I come to you to help me find my next opportunity. Essentially, I’m looking for a recruiter position, contract or full-time; an HR position, either as administrator or generalist, preferably in nonprofits/associations or an organization that is creative and think outside-the-box. I also have being going outside of HR and looking at career services jobs since a lot of people still ask me for advice and thinking looking into being a community manager since I deal with George Mason Business School alums for almost four years, voluntary and, if this counts, the #nats and #mrtony hashtag. I would like to still be in the D.C. area, but if anyone wants me outside the D.C. Metro area area, I can work virtually or travel for a few weeks.

Also, if you’re wondering, although I’m closing Tran Recruiting for now, I will continue NatsJobs for next year. It is under construction as I’m updating the web and mobile site for next year and currently looking for a co-founder who is a web/mobile developer.

So if you know an organization that  is looking, please forward my information:

• Linkedin: my profile
• Twitter: use hashtag #hiretracy or if that’s too common, #hirethisdope
• Quora: WWTNTD?
• Pinterest/Instagram: Use an embarrassing profile pic of me. Free shot.
• Foursquare: feels stalkerish. You can skip that.
• Prefer by email, reply to me at tracy@tranrecruiting.com

Being an entrepreneur was the best career move I made so far as I set the standard, meeting wonderful people, had a variety of ideas for different clients, and controlling my own destiny. As Tony Kornheiser would say every June, “I had a great run!” I really did, but onto the next chapter in my career.