April Fools Day

Yep!  It's that time of year again.  Tomorrow (and Monday likely) silly jokes will be played on people all over.  I used to play tons of April Fools jokes.  One year I wrote a scathing resignation letter that detailed just how terrible our boss was, then I photo copied one of our best employees signatures onto the bottom of the letter.  Folded it up, put it in an envelope, and I sat back and watched the carnage unfold!  The look on her face was priceless.  Some people can take a joke, other can't.  Lucky for me, all parties involved in that one had a great sense of humor.

Where did April Fools come from?  The earliest recorded connection between April 1st and playing pranks was in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in 1392. (thank you again wikipedia)  April Fools day is a global phenomena.  Not just done on April 1st, traditions vary from only being done before noon on April 1st to being held on May 1st in Denmark.  Then French translate the day into April fish and the goal is to attach a paper fish to someones back without them noticing.  Thank goodness it's not a real fish.

Some well known companies have been known to pull a joke or two on April 1st.  Here are a few I thought were well done:

1.  Google Comic Sans:

Most people know of the Comic Sans font.  Most people hate it.  Last year, Google decided to play a little joke on everyone by rolling out the "new" font for Google.

2.  Richard Branson buys Pluto

You are one of the richest people on the planet.  Is it so far fetched to believe that they wouldn't buy a planet?  Unhappy that it was downgraded from planethood, Branson announced he was buying Pluto and having it reinstated as a planet.


3.  Groupon acquires April Fools and you can't use it!

Groupon goes all out by creating a whole website to announce the intellectual trademark and that it will crack down on anyone who infringes upon it.

4.  Bring on the Wolfpigeon!

Qualcomm, in an effort to bring Wifi to the masses, released its plan.  Flying wolf-pigeon hybrids that would bring Wi-Fi around the world.


5.  World record Rickroll

Youtube decided to play this massive prank in 2008, they redirected every video on the home page to Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up video.  Even today, rickrolling is pretty funny, back then it was hysterical.  For those who dont know what a rickroll is, check this:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickroll.  For the funniest rickroll of all time (in my opinion) watch this (but be aware, its contains some inappropriate words): 

Good luck tomorrow!

What is the best April Fools joke you have ever played or had played on you or ever saw.  Please share and comment below!

An open letter to the presidential candidates...

Dear Presidential Candidates (whoever you end up being),

First off, congratulations on getting to this point.  It's not easy to get on the ballot for the presidency.   It's not the most fair of processes due to the vast sums of money it takes to possibly be considered, but you in all likely hood invested a tremendous amount of your own money into this attempt.  You have put in an amazing amount of time and personal sacrifice as well.  It takes a "relatively" clean past, the ability to communicate on a variety of levels with all types of people, and the backing of a lot of people in positions of prestige and power and people who will question everything there is to know about you.

I would like to ask that this election year you approach it a little bit different however.  Every 4 years since I was of legal age to vote I have heard the same things.  Presidential candidates of the past have run on the same basic platforms.  Jobs, economy, international affairs, Social Security, taxes, and healthcare are all discussed at great length and that each candidate will solve the issues facing our nation.  Everyone preaches the same word, change.  The problem is that nothing really ever changes.  This election year, don't preach change.

Stop promising the people things that you think they want to hear you promise and start actually talking about how its going to get done.  Stop telling the people all the things that you will do, even when many of those things aren't within your control to affect.  Remember the first George Bush?  "Read my lips, no new taxes!"  All that became was a bullseye for Democrats to push through any tax they could, virtually ensuring themselves a platform to run on in the next election.  Remember our current president?  "I will be held accountable.... If I don't have this done in three years, then there's going to be a one-term proposition."  He vowed to fix the economy.  Problem is, one man cannot fix our economy or decide that there will be no new taxes.

The office of the President of the United States is not the same office it once was.  There was a time when there was respect for the office.  There was a time when a mere word from the President moved markets and shifted the fortunes of a nation.  Now there is no respect and people treat everything that the President says as lip service.  So as you run for President this year, tell us how you will bring the respect back to the office and back to our nation.  Don't tell us that you will bring the House and the Senate together and get things done, tell us how you are going to do it.  Tell us how you will bring accountability back to our government.

When you are elected, do not treat the first 4 years like you are trying to get the next 4.  Act as if you know you won't be re-elected and you have only 4 years to get everything done.  Forget politics.  Call out those who aren't doing their jobs so that we can hold them accountable in the next election.  Don't let our government get away with doing whatever it takes to keep their jobs.  Instead have them do whatever it takes to get our nation back on track toward being the beacon of hope and freedom we once were.  Our nation is failing and we are letting it happen.

Start off by telling us the bad news.  Don't sugar coat it.  The first step toward recovery is to admit that we have a problem.  Without our leader LEADING the way toward a solution, we will never get there.  Tell us what the goals for our nation are and how we will achieve them.  A great president once said "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask only what you can do for your country".  Tell us what is necessary for us to do for our country.  It's ok to say no too.  Tell us that we cannot have national healthcare because we cannot afford it.  Tell us that our priorities need to be in line.  Tell us what it will take to make Social Security solvent.  Or tell us the bad news that its going away, but don't tell us that we will figure it out.  Actually figure it out and tell us what to do.

You want to lead the most powerful nation on the planet.  You cannot shy away from saying what is unpopular.  You need to worry more about getting our house in order before you worry about other nations.  Take a look at Greece.  We are headed that direction and quickly.  You have the right and responsibility to do whatever it takes, popular or not, to fix our country.  You cannot fix it alone.  You do not have the power or ability.  You must tell us what to do and we must do it.

Do not sling mud at your opponents.  Past elections have not been about who is best but who sucks the least.  Don't tell me why they should not lead us, but tell me why you should.

We are depending on you.  We need you, now more than ever.  Our nation is spiraling downward and you must pull us out of our tailspin.  There are positives that we can build on.  Bring in the right people and lets get building.  Good luck in November.  May the best man win.  (not the one who sucks the least)



Comments below!  Please share on Facebook and/or StumbleUpon.

5 things that annoy me...

I am fairly laid back.  I am an easy going kinda guy.  Ask people who know me.  They will tell you.  That Jesse is an ok fella!  He doesn't get angry or go on rants.  Ever.  

Ok, ok, ok.  Stop laughing.  It's true, I do get annoyed easily on occasion but some things really have the ability to set me off.  I can tolerate most anything in small increments but some things are just too annoying for words.  

You will notice the topic is 5 things that annoy me.  There are WAAAAY more than 5 things that annoy me but for the sake of brevity, I am sticking to 5 this time.  So without further ado...

Facebook Poking

Really?  We have more technology in our calculators than the astronauts had in the first moon mission and what do we do with it?  I poked you, he he he!  Poke me back!  So let me understand, we use our computers to press a button, sending a signal from our homes, through the air, up to satellites, back down to earth, back through more wires and air, into someone elses home to let them know that we virtually poke them.  I can hear it now "But Jesse, its just a bit of fun!"  No, video games are fun.  Tossing a ball to your dog is fun.  Jumping on a trampoline is fun.  Pressing the word poke and waiting for someone else to press the word poke is NOT fun.  Its stupid.  Stop it.  Really.

Are you okay?

Now before you go all crazy here, let me clarify.  When someone is sick, and you are legitimately concerned for their health and well being, it is perfectly acceptable to ask if someone is okay.  I have Crohn's Disease.  It is a legitimate chronic illness that is quite debilitating.  Most people who know me know that I have it.  They also know that I have been in the hospital and they ask me if I am feeling okay.  This is fine.  As a matter of fact, if you truly care if I am okay or not, I welcome the question.  HOWEVER, some people feel the need to ask every single time they see someone how they are feeling and if they are okay.  This would be fine if you only saw this person, oh say once a week.  But when you see someone SEVERAL TIMES A DAY please stop asking if they are okay.  Most people ask this question rhetorically.  They ask it because they feel that it is not socially acceptable to have a conversation with someone who is ill without addressing the illness in some way.  It isn't necessary, I will like you regardless of the fact of my health and will like you more if you STOP ANNOYING THE LIVING BEJESUS OUTTA ME!!!  :)

Bratty Kids

I am sitting in a quiet restaurant with my wife, having a pleasant meal, asking her about how her day was, catching up on all the things that I have missed.  Suddenly, I feel a piercing set of eyes burning a hole through the side of my head and into my soul.  I slowly turn my head and staring directly in my ear hanging over the back of my seat is a 3 year old.  Their face and hands are covered with whatever they were eating, mushed up and gross, and I hear "HI!  WANT SOME CAKE!!!"  Then they pat me on the shoulder, messy hands and all, on my white dress shirt.  AWWWW, isn't that cute?  HECK NO!!!  Then they get up and run around in circles screaming "BRRRRR BRRRRR I AM AN AIRPLANE!!!"  All the while, the parents of that kid continue to hold their conversation as if nothing is happening.  I don't blame the kid, they are 3 and dont know any better.  Why dont they know any better?  Because their idiot parents arent taking the time to teach them any better, that's why!  If my kid acted that way, it would only happen once.  Guaranteed.

Telemarketers

I am in sales and the telephone is very important.  I understand that.  I try my best to be polite to telemarketers because they have a very hard job and most people are rude to them.  But if you call me, and I tell you no thank you and that I am not interested my decision will not change if you call me back 37 more times or if you just keep telling me the same thing over and over.  It pushes my politeness to the edge and makes me want to find you and punch you in the face repeatedly.  Just sayin.

Scam Artists

RING RING:  Unknown number call

Me:  Hello?  

Them:  Could I speak to XXXXXX?   (in a Jamaican accent)

Me:  This is he.

Them:  First off let me say congratulations!  Your name was selected among thousands of entrants for a $25,000 prize and a brand new 2012 Mecedes Benz!  How do you feel!

Me:  (Sarcastically) Thats great!  Wow!  I am Ex-ci-ted!

Them:  That's great.  Now first I have a few questions for you.  What do you plan to do with all that money!

Me:  Well, I don't know.  I probably will go out and buy a cow.  Not a live one, but a butchered one.  I love beef, but now that I think about it I will need a bigger deep freezer.  A cow is a lot of beef.  How much do you think a cow weighs?  

Them:  That's great.  And have you seen any of the new 2012 Mercedes Benz's?

Me:  I am not so sure buying a whole cow is a good idea after all.  I mean I do love beef but how long would it take to eat a whole cow?  And what about the parts of the cow that I dont eat.  Like liver.  I dont eat liver.  Do you eat liver?

Them:  That's great.  Now do you live near a Wal-mart?

Me:  Yes, I do.  As a matter of fact, I am passing a Wal-mart right now.  But really, unless you live in Jamaica, doesn't everyone live near a Wal-mart?

Them:  That's great.  So I want to help you claim your prize.  Will you be home tomorrow around 4:00pm?

Me:  Yes

Them:  That's great.  We will have someone there tomorrow with the new car, but to help expedite the process, we need to take care of a couple of things.  First there is taxes and processing of your prize.  If you could stop at Wal-mart, I will give you a processing code and you will need to Western Union us $300 to cover the fees.

Me:  (Angrily because I am tired of this game) So let me get this straight, I won a prize from a contest that I didn't even enter, and to collect this prize I have to wire you $300?  And you expect me to buy this line of bull?  I have no doubt that you realize this is illegal.  

Them:  Click!

Sad part, how many people actually fall for this crap?  Yeah, I know, too many.

_______________________________________________________________________

Please share and comment below.  If you would like to get on the mailing list, please put in your email address to the right.  Also, if you would share on Facebook or StumbleUpon, I would very much appreciate it!  Until next time, stay calm, the idiots will eventually leave us alone!

Lest we not forget... A trip to the Virginia War Memorial

From time to time I come across things that make me think a lot about where we are as a nation, and especially where we have been.  A famous man once said "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."  This quote rings especially true today as we have been involved in so many disputes with nations around the world and it appears that will be a trend that is not going to change in the near future.  What got me thinking about this was a recent trip I took to the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, VA.

In an earlier blog I said that my son is in the Civil Air Patrol.  He has expressed his desire to join the Air Force when he graduates.  He takes his duties in the CAP very seriously.  He has been in for about 15 months and is about to receive his 4th promotion from the rank of Senior Airman to Staff Sergeant.  He loves to watch the history channel.  He enjoys reading and learning about history.  I think its especially important for him to clearly understand our nations military history so that he can be fully educated in his decision to serve our country's armed forces.  

One of the things I love about the Virginia War Memorial is that when you walk in, you are greeted immediately by one of the docents.  Most of the docents are Vets themselves.  They aren't just talking about what happened, they lived it.  They know, or they themselves are the people in many of the pictures on the walls.  Many of them personally contributed to the exhibits.  For them, the information isn't just history, but it is memories.

Outside the facility you are hit immediately with the sheer size and scope of the place.  There is a huge monument erected with the names of all the Virginians who have lost their lives in combat from WWI through the Persian Gulf.  The view is majestic as the hillside overlooks the river and the cityscape of Richmond.  They do not charge entry to the memorial, but they do have ways you can contribute if you would like.  One of those ways is to purchase a "brick".  On that brick you can have something printed.  Most of the bricks are memorials to veterans in the area.  Its a great way to memorialize a person.

Once inside the facility you realize that there is far to much to take in for just one day.  They have a wide selection of videos that you can choose from in the theater and a show that I wont spoil for you, but will amaze you!  The exhibits are amazing as well.  They range from the revolutionary war through modern times.

The vast majority of whats displayed are actual items from the time period and not replicas.  The weaponry, the medals, the uniforms, and small pieces and parts from actual battleships bring you as close to the history as possible.  Each display contains information specific to the event, not just overall, but snippets of history relevant to Virginians.

They have a great display on the history of women in the military as well.  A view of the changes in the uniforms over the years show just how things have really changed.

Letters, communications, and telegrams over the years are displayed as well.  When you read the words "I regret to inform you..." it brings home the sacrifices that these people gave for all of us.

They have an entire library of books and videos that can be used for research.  They have conference rooms and large areas that can be rented out for just about any purpose from parties, meetings, and receptions.  The views outside make for a beautiful backdrop for photos.  Most importantly, there is a tremendous amount that can be learned from just spending time there.

My son asked me after we left when we could go back again.  He wants to look at all of movies they have available.  He wants to spend time in that library as well.  We will be going back very soon.  I spoke to his commander about having the whole group go together so that they can all get this experience.  It is an experience he will not forget, but just as important, it will help to shape him as he grows within his own military experience.  If you are visiting the Richmond area in the future, make this one of your can't miss stops along the way.  It is well worth the time spent.

Please feel free to comment below and please share.  Thanks!

Valentine's Day

As I write this it is 7:00 pm on February 13th.  Tomorrow is Valentine's Day.  Right now, there are thousands of people desperately seeking out that special gift for that special someone.  Thankfully, I am NOT one of those people but why do we do this?  Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day?

The first Valentine's Day was celebrated in 496 A.D. and created by Pope Gelasius I.  It was a Christian holiday celebrating Saint Valentine.  There were several saints known by this name and feasts were held each February 14th in commemoration of them.  It wasn't until Geoffrey Chaucer linked the holiday with romantic love that we have the holiday that we have today.  It was in the 15th century that giving flowers, sweets, and greeting cards became attached to the day.  (thank you Wikipedia!)

There are a few schools of thought about Valentine's Day and its meaning.  Some believe it to be a highly commercial day, believed to be created by greeting card companies like Hallmark so that more cards can be sold.  Unless Hallmark was founded in the 15th century, this cannot be true, but the sentiment is understandable.  The US Greeting Card Association estimates over 190 million valentines are given out each year in the US alone.  When you include cards handed out at schools, that number skyrockets to over 1 billion!  Over 15 million e-Valentines were sent out in addition to this.  So yes, someone is making a LOT of money, and this is just the greeting card industry alone.  Florists, confectioners, restaurants, jewelers, and countless other industries see an appreciable boost to sales around this date.

Others believe that not professing one's undying love for another on this day equates to sacrilege.  Some people need to be showered with flowers and candy and be taken out to lavish meals and expensive shows to reinforce that their significant other loves them.  Everyone knows the amount someone loves you is directly proportionate to the amount of money it costs them on Valentine's Day.  (note the sarcasm)

Studies show the divorce filings rate skyrockets by nearly 40% around this day.  This day, and really just about every day after January 1st, is a constant reminder of one's personal love situation.  If you are miserable, the pressure continues to mount until it bursts.   Walk into any Wal-mart, Target, florist, mall, jewelry store, or really about anywhere else after New Years and you will see tons of reminders of the upcoming day.  If one is single, the pressure to not be seen as lonely on this one particular day rises.  If one is married, the pressure to impress your significant other on this one particular day rises.  If one is married or dating but that relationship is on the rocks, the pressure is amplified.  If one is married or dating and things are going great, this day can screw it up for you.  Underestimating the social pressures that Valentine's Day can put on a relationship can end you.

I believe that Valentine's Day is unnecessary in a healthy relationship.  I do not need a specific day to reinforce the fact that I love my wife and she loves me.  She loves me 365 days a year.  (or maybe only about 335 days leaving in about 30 days where I am a royal screw up and she wants to have me eviscerated.)  Even at that, I still do something to recognize the day.  Is it social pressure?  Perhaps.  Would she be angry if I let the day pass without doing anything?  I don't think so, but why risk it?  One could view Valentine's Day as a day to atone for the mistakes of the past year.  (but believe me, if you let a whole year pass without atoning for your screwups, you wont make it to Valentine's Day)

So what to do for Valentine's Day?  I got asked this question by a few readers recently.  I am writing this from the male perspective.  Here are some suggestions:

• If you think you need to spend a lot of money on Valentine's Day, you are either doing it wrong or the one you are with is shallow.  Dump them and move on.
• If you plan to give a gift, make it unique.  If you give flowers weekly, giving flowers again is not special or memorable.  
• If she is on a diet, candy isn't a smart move.
• My wife loves getting a mani/pedi.  The value of sending her off for a day to get this done cannot be understated for her.  Same with a massage.  That being said, if money is tight, DIY!  You think should wouldn't love a massage by you?  Or a great foot/hand rub with massage oils and bath salts?  (if you dont know what these are, try google) 
• Dinner - If they ask "Would you like fries with that?", go elsewhere.  If money is tight, a candlelit meal cooked by you at home cannot fail, unless you are the world's worst cook, and even then it still might work.   
• If you are married or living together and you can afford it, bring in someone to clean.  If you can't afford it, clean it yourself.  Of course, all chores around the home should be shared, but there is a LOT of value in taking care of the things she takes care of, even if its just for a day. 
• Women want to be appreciated.  They can be supremely confident and your relationship can be rock solid, but she will still melt if you tell her how much you care and why.  The why is really important.  I love you is good.  I love you because without you my life would be incomplete and my world would crumble is much better.  
• For the women - most guys needs are pretty simple.  We don't want flowers or candy or jewelry (unless you really want to buy us a nice Rolex).  They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and to some extent that is true, but some might argue that there are much faster ways.  I will let you figure out what those are.  :)  We also wouldn't pass up a weekend in Vegas or 36 holes on a future weekend at a local golf course.  

Only a few hours to go, good luck to you in your quest to make this Valentine's Day a good one.  May you get exactly what you want and give even better!  Please comment below and share.  (a Valentines gift for me from you, click that Facebook share link to the right there!)

Hugs and Kisses to you all!

Just Jesse

Are we too hard on our kids?

I had a few other topics in mind for this blog, however, once I saw the video below, I changed my mind at once.  This video has gone viral across the internet.  If you haven't see it, it's the greatest 8+ minutes in the history of online video.  Take a peek:



To summarize, this father has had enough.  His daughter drove him to the point of taking a .45 caliber handgun, and putting 8 shots into a laptop.  He could have sold it, he could have given it away, but he was so incensed at his daughters behavior, he popped a cap in it!  (8 caps to be exact)

I have a 16 year old daughter and a 14 year old son.  Anyone who has teenagers today should be able to understand the frustration that this father felt over the lack of respect he has been shown.  Somewhere along the lines, this has become the norm instead of the exception.  Kids have been rebellious forever.  I personally remember myself, my sister, and a friend of my sisters who decided it was a very good idea to go trash someones car with things like toilet paper, windex, butter, and scotch tape (among several other things).  Kids do stupid things all the time.  Sometimes those things cost a lot of money (see above car trashing).  What I don't remember was a sense of entitlement that seems prevalent among the youth of today.

My kids have WAY more than I and my brothers and sisters ever had.  Computers, iPods, cell phones, iPads, not to mention all the clothes, shoes, ect.  They go without nothing.  My kids have been on multiple Caribbean cruises.  My wife and I have worked really hard to make sure that we could provide them with all the things they could ever need.  Looking back, I question this decision.  Perhaps we made a mistake.  The more kids seem to have today, they more they think they deserve.

We ask that our kids do chores, follow our instructions, get good grades, don't act like fools, and most importantly, show respect to us and to others.  Is it too much to ask?  Are we too hard on our kids?  My opinion (and since this is MY blog, I guess I can state it) is no, we are not hard enough on our kids.  Life is too easy for them.  I remember buying my first car.  I worked.  I earned the money.  I paid for the auto insurance for it (which actually cost way more than the car!).  I understood clearly what it took to get it.

Kids today seem to have this complete and total lack of respect thing.  Now when I was a teenager, I knew more than my parents too.  I thought they were every bit as much of a moron as my daughter and son think I am now.  The difference is that many teenagers today feel that they can tell their parents anything they want and that there are no repercussions to it.  I give you a food, shelter, clothing, cell phone, computer, money, be your taxi, ect and in exchange you can act as you please and say what you like?  Sounds fair, lets have more kids!

Facebook makes it even worse because there is some pressure on a kid to show off for their friends.  They use language they shouldn't and think it's cool.  I was a teenager once.  I used bad words too.  Yes, shocking, I know.  I am not such a idiot as to think that kids wouldn't use such language.  Its the lack of respect shown that they think they can use such language openly.  Posts on Facebook are NOT hidden, ever.  Text messages are NOT hidden, ever.

I think my kids are good kids.  I also think they make some really stupid decisions from time to time.  I feel like they do have a sense of entitlement and I think that it is mostly my fault.  I make them work for things they have, and I enforce the rules, but since they have never done without, they don't know what that is like.  They have always had everything they wanted or needed and thus feel that is the way life is.  You are born, everything you want or need is provided, ect.  People are motivated in life by two things, pleasure and pain.  When the pain of an action exceed the pleasure of an action, change occurs.  When the pain of acting like a fool (pain provided by me in the form of punishments) exceed the pleasure of acting like a fool, then they stop acting like a fool.  Otherwise they continue their foolishness.  My first duty as a parent is NOT to be their friend.  I think sometimes we forget this small rule.  It is our duty to prepare them for real life, and very few get all of their wants, needs, and desires met in real life.

Congrats to the dad in that video.  You made the decision to do all you could to help your child prepare for real life.  Sometimes, real life puts a bullet in your best laid plans.

Please feel free to comment below.

5 ways to get ahead at work

Getting ahead at work isn't easy.  The competition can be fierce in the best of times.  In today's economy, better watch out!  Employers are looking to retain their top talent and they wont hesitate to replace those who are not performing at the top of their game.  Resumes are flooding into employers by the hundreds and there are plenty of very well qualified people with major degrees sitting on the sidelines.

In my career, I have hired hundreds of people.  I always looked for a few basic things to help me select top talent.  Things like good common sense, dedication, intelligence, effective problem solving, the ability to serve the customer, and the ability to sell.  And selling isn't limited to customers.  I wanted those who were hungry and wanted more for themselves.  I wanted to know I would get your best each day and that getting ahead was just as important to you as it was for me.  Here are 5 things you need to do to get ahead at work.

1.  Sell yourself - Whether you have been there for 25 years or are just getting interviewed, selling yourself is a must.  It is an ongoing thing as well and something that employees tend to forget about after they get the job.  Employers are looking for talent that are able to do any and everything.  It isn't hard to get stuck in a rut of doing the same thing, day in and day out because your employer only sees you for what you have always done.  Step up.  Ask for new assignments that are different.  Explain to your employer why you are suited for these tasks and how you will go about doing them.  Discuss what your boss sees as areas that you could improve upon and sell an action plan to them on how you will improve.  You have to stay top of mind for you to get ahead.  If you boss doesn't envision you being able to do a job, you wont be doing it.  This is why selling yourself is so important.  You must convince your employer that you can and will be good at whatever it is you are shooting for.

2.  Stop thinking that your employer will be fair - So you have been there for 5 years and you are next in line.  Its only fair that you get the next shot, right?  Wrong.  Just like life, work isn't fair either.  Are women paid less in some lines of work still, yes.  Are certain types of people discriminated against still, yes.  Will you boss overlook you for someone else just because they don't like you as much, yes.  It happens.  You must see and understand a barrier to success in order to overcome it.  It would be nice if all things were fair, but since they aren't what matters is how you overcome those things.  Meeting those challenges head on will help you get ahead at work because it allows you to still be forward thinking instead of being blindsided.  Don't be caught off guard.

3.  Use your evaluations as leverage - Most employees are reviewed annually.  Those reviews contain the keys to getting ahead.  Your boss will tell you what you are doing great and what you need to improve upon.  Do not be afraid to ask what happens when those improvements are made.  Express your desire to be promoted or to get a raise and ask specifically what you need to do to get there.  Simply expressing the fact that you want more in your career can sometimes lead to getting it.  People who don't speak up usually get left behind.

4.  Don't be a jerk - Sounds simple enough doesn't it?  But lets be real, if you understand that work isn't always fair, then you must also understand that just because you work the hardest, are the most dedicated, and most qualified doesn't mean you will get the promotion or raise you want.  Fair or not, your boss has an expectation as to how they will be treated by you.  Some bosses are laid back, easy going, and seem to be just one of the gang.  Don't be fooled into believing this to actually be true.  They will remember everything you say, good and bad.  Some bosses are flat out jerks and expect you to kiss butt daily.  If you can't kiss his butt, find another job or don't expect to move up.  I already said it wasn't fair didn't I?

5.  Become indispensable - You want to be in the position of them needing you more than you need them.  Learn every job you can.  Fill your bosses skill sets so that when they aren't around you can handle anything that arises.  Fill out a skill set that no one else in the office has, then show why the office needs it.  Be the creative one who comes up with ideas to make work easier and/or more profitable.  This allows you to pitch these ideas to the boss and sell just how important you are to the team and why you shouldn't be overlooked.

These are just 5 areas that can help you improve your place within your company.  What things have you found to be most effective in getting ahead at your job?  Please comment below!