Speaking of being busy, I’ve also come to the conclusion that I need to hang out my shingle. And being that I don’t work on Fridays, I have the time. So HRLori’s services are out for bid. Basically, I love helping start-ups get started. Employee Handbooks, Confidentiality Agreements, Corrective Action policies, Application Forms, implementation of HRIS and ATS and much more – you name it, it’s all sweet music to me. Please let me know if you know of anyone looking for an HR Consultant.

And if all isn’t enough for you, check out the new site re-design. It is definitely easier to manage and maybe even prettier than the original.

This was sent to me by Eve Batey, the brilliant Editor and Publisher of the San Francisco Appeal . It seems that a San Francisco marketing company is making quite a bit of out-of-state money on an anti-gay marriage campaign in Maine. Never mind that the campaign itself is absolutely offensive, it just amazes me that a company based in San Francisco is focusing their business on anti-gay marriage measures.

From SF Appeal :

Hey, remember all the frustration voiced in the wake of Prop 8′s passing, when folks talked about how much of its support came from people who didn’t even live in California? Maine’s the next battleground for the right to marry, and the “out of town support” argument’s apparently rising again — this time, by a group that’s paying a San Francisco based company over half a million dollars to in an effort to take that right away. That’s right, this time, the call’s coming from inside the house…This company is listed 4 more times in that section [In the filings, released yesterday, from Stand For Marriage Maine], and has been paid nearly $360K. They’re also listed 12 more times in the “unpaid debts” section, billing about $240K more. So, so far they stand to make at least $600,000 off the deal. Coincidentally, this is just slightly higher than the extra tax burden shouldered by many gay couples due to discriminatory tax penalties.

Now I realize that every company should be able to make money in any way they want, as long as it’s legal, but in San Francisco? REALLY? And on Maiden Lane nonetheless? Talk about being a mouse in a cat house.

It gets even weirder though. The company has now taken down its YouTube page, its Facebook page and its own website.

When The Appeal tried to contact the company, they were told, “no one was available …they were “traveling for business.”

If one didn’t know any better, one would think that this company is ashamed of what it’s doing. Not that they shouldn’t be, but if you’re a marketing company and you’re taking the money, shouldn’t you be getting the word out?

Just a thought.

Normally I stay away from anything that refers to the disease as it makes me way, way too upset. I only got three pages into “Tuesday with Morrie” before I had to put the book down and away for good. But the title of the article “Zilbersmith battles ALS with humor” really drew my attention and not only did I read the article, I found myself going to her blog and getting completely absorbed during my train ride home.

Ms. Zilbersmith completely captured me with her honesty, her humor and her incredible bravery in the face of a terrifying disease. She is able to see the beauty in life despite that which pulls her body away from her control.

“How do I have time to fight ALS when all around me the world invites me to joy?” This line made me cry. It made me think of how life goes so unappreciated for so much of the time. It made me think that I’d like to meet this woman and tell her how incredible I think she is.

Most of all, Ms. Zilbersmith reminded me of my mother and the incredible grace and dignity she showed up until the very end. And that made me smile amidst my tears.

It’s my birthday on Saturday. Every year I would thank my mother for bringing me into this world since my birthday was always just as much about her as it was about me.

Happy Birthday to us Mommy.

Here’s a sample of how beautiful it is:

Maybe someday I’ll be that good.

I was on vacation in lovely Boynton Beach, Florida visiting my Daddy. It was very relaxing and I made friends with a bird or two.

This photo is from the Green Cay Wetlands which is a gorgeous set of wetlands designed to assist in the water filtration process for Palm Beach County.

I wish I could have stayed longer.

Needless to say, I’m back.

Photo by Lori Dorn

Today is the third anniversary of my mother’s death. She died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS aka Lou Gherig’s Disease). The illness tried to rob her of her dignity, but never a more dignifed beautiful person will I ever meet. She faced each day with hope and determination to live as long as she possibly could. She outlived the doctors’ predictions threefold. And she never stopped smiling.

This is not a request for donations but ALS is a terrible disease for which there is no cure and funding to find a cure is not always readily available. If you feel moved to donate, please do so in the name of Vera Dorn to the Florida ALS Association. It will be incredibly appreciated.

Vera A. Dorn June 8, 1943 – April 18, 2003. You are terribly missed.