Having worked for a small business over the last 6 years, I have a clear view about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to employee training. We needed to find a system for our employees that would encourage career development and skill building, all with a secure, easy to use online interface.

After visiting CoursePark, a Learning Management Network (LMS), I was completely impressed with the library of courses and innovative interface they provided. Not only is CoursePark an affordable training tool for any business, big or small, but it’s an effective tool. They even have the social media aspect covered, which is essential in today’s growing online presence. Imagine being able to offer employee training in an online virtual classroom where the learners can interact with each other, track their progress, discuss courses and even generate reports of they choose.

Do yourself a favor and join CoursePark for free today to see if your business could benefit from their impressive course library. Whether your business is big or small, it is definitely worth looking into. Even if you don’t need it for business purposes, CoursePark is a great resource for individual learning as well! You can try out courses for FREE and experience first-hand all of the tools they have to offer.

I became a homeowner in March! I was able to tax advantage of the $8,000 tax credit and get into a gorgeous brand-new-never-lived-in house on a beautiful side of town. I’ve never felt so lucky, honestly.

I had been living in a fourplex for the past 4 years, which I used to really like. It was a nice apartment but in a horrible area. The straw that broke the camel’s back was a shooting that happened in front of my doorstep. I was outside with my dog and noticed a car full of people at the end of our driveway… and they were just staring at me. I had become so cold to all the suspicious activity from living in the neighborhood for so long that I didn’t really thing twice about it. I take my dog inside and 5 minutes later, gunshots. Someone from the car had broken into the apartment directly facing mine, literally a few feet away, and they exchanged gunfire. Both the intruder and my neighbor both shot each other. My neighbor was taking a shower with his gun when the guy broke in (to collect a drug debt), so obviously he knew it was coming. One of them crawled out of the apartment on his elbows and laid in the driveway, pooling blood, while the other laid shot in the shower. It was a crazy thing to see. And knowing that I was outside just seconds before it happened was enough for me to give my 30 days notice to my landlord the next morning.

So the move was the most major thing that’s happened this year. In June I got “promoted” at work, so I’ve been adjusting to my new position. I’m now responsible for the bookkeeping and accounting, which was a completely new thing for me. Math has never been my forte, so it’s been a learning experience for sure. I like it though. I was ready for the challenge. 

Other then that I’ve just been working on getting moved in. Yeah, I technically moved in 5 months ago, but I’m still not unpacked! Shopping for house stuff is so fun too. Now I walk through Home Depot with a purpose LOL. We just finished landscaping the backyard. My boyfriend owns a landscaping company so that was convenient They installed irrigation and hauled 22 tons of decorative rock! We went and picked out an apple tree, two pomegranate trees and a tangelo tree to plant. The tangelo tree is so special to me because my grandparents had tangelo trees too. One of my favorite memories as a child is picking tangelos with my grandma. Everytime I look at my own tangelo tree I think of them. It’s my way of always keeping them close to my heart and that is really a priceless gift for me.

I’m still doing web design, and more importantly, still loving it! I’m a busy girl but I wouln’t want it any other way. Man, I miss blogging here

For centuries, chocolate, and the cocoa from which it is made, has been a sought after substance. It’s far and away the most popular candy type, and sells by the millions year after year. But, there are many myths surrounding chocolate. So, let’s take a look at some of these myths and the truth behind them.

1. Chocolate is bad for you – Not so, at least in its simplest form. Cocoa comes from a bean, making it a plant based product. As such it is full of anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are important because they work to rid your body of free radicals, naturally occurring oxygen molecules that, when left unchecked, cause cell damage. Free radicals contribute to the development of cancer, heart disease and many other illnesses. We all need plenty of anti-oxidants in our diet to get rid of these free radicals before they damage our cells. Ounce for ounce, cocoa and dark chocolate have more anti-oxidants than blueberries, green tea and red wine – all considered anti-oxidant powerhouses.

2. Chocolate causes acne – Actually, this is most likely just an old wives tale. Studies going back to 1960 have shown that even when large amounts of chocolate are consumed, it has no correlation to getting acne. In fact, in most people, diet as a whole has no bearing on acne.

3. Chocolate causes migraines – Another old wives, tale, it seems. Many studies have been conducted on migraine triggers and chocolate has never been shown to trigger migraines; even when the studies were conducted on people who believed themselves to be chocolate sensitive.

4. Chocolate is high in caffeine – Milk chocolate has about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of decaffeinated coffee. Chocolate does, however, contain theobromine, a caffeine related substance. Theobromine is far less powerful than caffeine.

5. Chocolate causes tooth decay. In fact, chocolate may actually decrease your risk of tooth decay, because recent studies have shown that flavanol anti-oxidants may actually slow the buildup of plaque. Recent dental studies have also shown that tooth decay is mostly caused from foods that linger in the mouth. Chocolate leaves the mouth very quickly, so it is not a serious cause of tooth decay.

6. Many people are allergic to chocolate. Chocolate actually is a food that is very low on the food allergen list. Many people, however, probably wish they were allergic to it!

7. Chocolate makes kids hyperactive – Sugar can sometimes cause children to have excessive energy. And, compared with many other desserts, most chocolate is actually not as high in sugar as many other items. In addition, research has shown that it’s often the atmosphere where sugary substances are served (think birthday party) that causes kids to go wild.

So as you can see, chocolate is not the enemy. And, in fact, if you choose your chocolate wisely, it is actually your friend. Many doctors recommend one ounce of dark chocolate per day to boost your anti-oxidant intake level. So, eat up! Just make sure chocolate, like other treats is eaten in moderation.

Mary Ward is a freelance writer and likes writing about healthcare career topics, such as how to obtain an online x-ray tech degree.

I purchased this website in November of 2004. No, you will not find any dirty/nude/skanky content here. I apologize if my domain name gave you the wrong impression, but this is a blog website. Always has been and always will be. Bad-Behavior.com holds a special little place in my heart, as it was my first real project. As I have grown as a web designer, this website has grown with me.

So now a little about me. As I stated above, my name is Chelsey. Most of my friends simply call me Chels. I was born into this world on November 23rd, 1984 making me 24 years old. Tucson Arizona has forever been the place I call home. This really is an amazing city. I have traveled to 12 different states over the course of my life and nothing, in my opinion, can compare to Tucson. The mountains, the sunsets, the monsoons.. Tucson just encompasses everything that makes you appreciate life a little more.

I have two jobs, which I love, but only one do I consider my career. I have worked as an office manager for a little real estate appraisal firm for the past five years. Real estate has always interested me, probably because my grandparents were realtors and always took me to work with them to be their little helper. My other job title is a freelance web designer. I started doing freelance web work in 2005 and keep a current portfolio at my design website, www.Chels.net. I have had the opportunity to work with some amazing organizations, businesses and individuals. Web design is something I truley enjoy doing and consider it to be my passion.

Now let’s talk about family. I used to consider myself to have an incredibly large, loving family. That is definitely not the case anymore. Feel free to read my blog archives from 2005 to get the whole story. The only family member who I am super close with is my dad. I don’t have any substantial relationship with my mother. I have a little brother and sister who I used to be extremely close with, but certain events caused us to devistatingly drift apart. I still love them more than life.

Moving on! I am the epitome of a girly girl.  I have an incredible addiction to all things beauty and style. I have a plethra of makeup, hair products, nail polish, perfumes.. you name it and I’ve probably got it. I consider the front doors to Sephora to be my pearly gates to Heaven. One of my other addictions is Coach handbags and accessories. So far my Coach collection includes: 6 large purses, 6 matching wallets, 2 wristlets, 2 key fobs, and 1 pair of eyeglasses. Shopping is love!

I don’t know much about cars, but I know I love my car. It is a 2006 Dodge Magnum R/T with a V8 hemi. VROOM! I also have a 2000 Dodge Stratus, as that was my first car and I just couldn’t bear to part with it. I am sentimental like that. I, sadly, have sold my Dodge Stratus and replaced it with a Chrysler Sebring.

I consider my friends to be the most awesome people of all time. I can’t think of anywhere I would rather be than out with my friends, on a dance floor and with a drink in my hand. Our intoxicated nights out are definitely what keep me sane in this busy and sometimes drama-filled life.

Well, that pretty much sums up my website and myself. Hope you’ve enjoyed the read

I just revamped my diggs, check it out.

In other exicting news, I finally broke down and bought me one of them fancy shmancy washers and dryers, hot dang!! No seriously though, I’ve been lugging my laundry around for 4 years, and I’ve had an empty laundry room for 2 years just begging me to fill it up with some sexy appliances. I finally gave in and bought the Whirlpool Cabrio set. I like them because they have glass doors, so you can watch your clothes wash & dry LOL. I am easily amused, I know.

OH another exciting thing, I was asked to participate in career day at a local elementary school in April! HOW CUTE IS THAT? The counselor contacted me and said she was referred to me by somebody, and they would love to have a web designer because it is a very non-traditional career, especially for a young female. I get to setup a display table and talk to kids grades K-6. That is gonna be the highlight of my year I swear!

Speaking of purchases.. I just bought the prettiest dining room table ever! I’ve been wanting a nice table for sooooo long. The guy at Oak Express gave me a really good deal on a normally $1000+ table. It should be delivered sometime this week YAYYY!! I stole a picture of it from the catalog.

Not really much going on with me otherwise. I’m still staying busy as an office bitch and with my web design. I’m getting pretty skizzilled with my photoshopping enhancement work, which is always good of course Blahbitty blah. Just wanted to tell everyone that I am still alive.

Besides the extra web design work, life is chugging along as usual. My parents finally have their divorce settled this week, on Friday. I hope things go well for my dad, as we all know what a lying bitch my mom can be. I’m still not allowed to speak to or see my brother and sister. I assume that won’t change until they get older and can make their own decisions. They know I love them and will always be here waiting for them with open arms.

OH FUNNY STORY TIME!!!!!!!! So Mikey wikey decided that he wanted to camp out in front of best buy this morning to start a line for the PlayStation 3 which is released FRIDAY. Yes, today is Monday. That means he wants to wait 5 fucking days out in front of a store. Okay anyways.. so we go at 6am this morning to get my dad’s RV for him to have a place to shit in and whatnot, go and get him sodas and munchies for his ice chest, chairs, blankets, etc. We get to Best Buy and set everything up. I’m just about to drive off to work when this PRICK ASS FUCK HOLE employee of the store comes outside with a chip on his shoulder (because apparantly you are THE SHIT if you work at a deadend place like Best Buy making $6.50 an hour). He rudely tells us to get off “his private property” and that he would be calling the cops if we didn’t. I was like W to the T to the F?

Since getting arrested wasn’t on my morning agenda, we packed the ish up and took off. Mikey wikey is very sad. He is on the phone with Best Buy’s coorporate office as we speak, hahah. Good times.

I’m so fucking irritated right now. Ugh. I hate life.

Now for those of you who aren’t aware, there is a new security measure being taken at all US airports. You aren’t allowed to bring anything liquid or gel onto the airplane. I always take my purse on with me, so I had to put all my makeup into my checked bag. That included my foundation, mascara, lip glosses, etc.

So this leads me to this morning, I woke up and started getting ready for work as usual. All of my shit from California was still packed up, so I started digging through my bags. I noticed that the side pocket of my bag was open. I look through it and, OMG SURPRISE, everything in it is GONE! All of my makeup that I took out of my purse, gone. Three pairs of earrings, gone. Favorite necklace, gone. So that really fucked the beginning of my day up.

Then I proceed to go to work. I sit at my desk and see a little note with my name on it. I open it up and it appears to be an office memo, except I was the only one in the office who got it. The note reads as follows:

“Due to changes in the office structure, the following policy has been implemented starting with this pay period:

1) A 1-hour lunch break is required whether or not you stay in the office. There will be no compensation for this hour.

2) All overtime has to be explained on your pay record each pay period as to why it was required.”

I’m fucking pissed. I work my ass off here. And I’m the only one who gets paid hourly here so of course I’m the only one who this “new policy” applies to. I hate taking a full 60-minute lunch because there isn’t shit to do for an entire damn hour. And I’m sure as hell not going to stay in the office for lunch if I’m not getting paid, so now I have to find something to occupy myself for an hour everyday. And I have to explain why I may stay 15 minutes late sometimes? Ugh.. how about because I’m trying to help this company make money by being productive and getting work done.

Oh, and on top of that shit it’s my little sister’s birthday today. I’m going to try and call her when I get home from work and I just pray it won’t be a repeat of last year. I called up there and my mom got on the phone and wouldn’t let me tell her happy birthday because I’m “an evil, mean daughter” and told me to stay away from HER family, yadda yadda etc. etc. So I’m stressed that I’ll have to deal with that shit again.

Whatever. I feel like crying.

My 4th of July weekend was pretty sweet. I had 4 days off work WAHOO! So Michael and I drove up to Phoenix and ate some In N’ Out burger.. mmmm. I could live on that shit. And my bestest buddy Manda drove in with her hubby from California so we got to hang out and get tipsy for awhile. I wish she still lived in Tucson with me ;( Oh well.. the marines needs her more then I do I guess. Plus we would probably be in jail or something by now if she didn’t live 500 miles away from me lol.

On another note.. I’m sick as fuck of this weather. 105 degree average wtf?! I’m moving to Alaska.