Issue Date: December 24, 2006
New PS2 karaoke titles for on-the-spot parties
RedOctane's "Guitar Hero II," out now, is a hit.
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'Tis the season to laugh at all of your friends as they try to get the twang right in "Sweet Home Alabama."
Just in time for resolutions of the performing variety, three of this season's music-related PS2 titles are bound to entertain at your next party.
"SingStar Rocks!" (Sony; $49.99, with two mics), out last month, is the 21st century's answer to MTV. Watch music videos as you sing along with artists such as Gwen Stefani and even Marvin Gaye.
Out Jan. 2, "Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol" (Konami; $54.99, with one mic) allows up to eight players to sing 40 songs as "Idol" contestants. After you design your virtual player -- picking everything from skin tone to footwear -- and belt out your tune, the in-game judges dish out feedback on both your performance and rock-star look.
Finally, rock out with "Guitar Hero II" (RedOctane; $79.99, with guitar peripheral). The new version of this hit video game has more songs and allows for two players to face off with guitars designed especially for the game. So gather your buddies and plug in.
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Advice for young job switchers
You're not stuck at your first job.
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You landed that critical first job, but the position is not what you'd hoped. How can you find that next job to help build the rest of your career? Max Messmer has some solid leads. The chairman of the global staffing firm Robert Half International is the author of numerous books, including Job Hunting for Dummies, and has two 20-something sons.
DON'T PANIC. Decided you're in the wrong industry? At a company that doesn't tap your best skills? You're not stuck. When you get out of a bad situation, it builds character, Messmer says. "Realizing you made a mistake and fixing it is something new employers will appreciate," he says.
TRY ON CAREERS. Internships and temporary assignments aren't just for students anymore. If you're considering a new field, find a short-term contract position that will give you a firsthand look at the workload, culture and growth potential of a new career. "I advised my son to do this recently, when he was looking at opportunities in real estate and law," Messmer says.
RESEARCH EMPLOYERS. Thanks to the Internet, it's easier than ever to find public documents and recent news reports. Be sure to mention some of what you learned about the company in your cover letter and job interview.
BE POSITIVE. Employers do look closely at your résumé and maybe your school record, but, bottom line, they're looking for the personal characteristics that can get the job done. Don't be afraid to show energy and enthusiasm. But never, ever bad-mouth your current boss or company.
Walecia Konrad is an award-winning consumer reporter.
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Don't get fleeced on big events
Make sure your tickets are legit.
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Looking for seats at the Kentucky Derby, Indy 500, World Series or another major sporting event? Reliable brokers include Sports Travel and Tours, Sports Empire and Sports Traveler. But a quick Google search reveals dozens of other companies that are selling tickets. Although some are legitimate, others are scams. Tickets are pretty easy to counterfeit, and you might not find out until game day that your tickets actually are bogus.
Protect yourself:
Be leery of any company that demands full payment upfront. Most companies ask for a deposit, with the balance expected 30 to 75 days before the event.
Buy with a credit card so you have recourse if things go wrong.
Have your tickets and documents sent as soon as possible, and pay extra for Express Mail or FedEx.
Check with the hotel and/or airline to make sure your reservations really have been made.
Everett Potter is on Laura McKenzie's Traveler this week. Check local listings.
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Super fast, extra easy
Here's a quick way to transform plain squash into a tasty dish full of antioxidants, including curry powder's curcumin -- it's anticancer and protects your brain.
Curried Winter Squash
3 cups cooked, mashed winter squash (2 12-ounce frozen packages, defrosted)
1 1/2 Tbs. curry powder
2 Tbs. butter or transfat-free margarine
2 Tbs. maple syrup
1/2 tsp. salt, or to taste
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, or to taste
3 Tbs. sweetened coconut flakes,toasted (optional)
In a medium bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Microwave on high until heated through, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle on coconut, if desired. Serve.
Serves 6
Per 1/2-cup serving: 115 calories, 1g protein, 17g carbohydrates, 6g fat (3g saturated), 10mg cholesterol, 4g fiber, 241mg sodium
For more great USA WEEKEND recipes, visit allrecipes.com.
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Worried about your grad's "gap year"?
As high school seniors scramble to finish their college applications this week, some are wondering: Maybe I should take a year off!
The question: Is it wise?
Maybe not. A recent Johns Hopkins study showed that a scant 10% of kids who take a "gap year" or more complete college, compared with 51% who head straight to college.
Educational consultant Steven Roy Goodman says don't expect a year off to transform a weak student into an academically motivated, college-bound kid. Good candidates are "academic but burnt out," he says.
Others who could benefit from taking a gap year include those who've experienced "turmoil at home and may not be ready to put their nose to the grindstone," says Sally Rubenstone, the co-author of Panicked Parents' Guide to College Admission. Those who aren't good candidates, she explains, are "non-finishers and those with pie-in-the-sky ideas of what that year would be: personal assistant to Brad Pitt, make a movie with Steven Spielberg."
Most important for a gap year, she advises: "Have a specific plan that includes a budget." Programs such as AmeriCorps allow students to do service and earn a college stipend.
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