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Halloween is an amazing holiday because it is the time when people are able to cut loose and dress to the extreme without limitations or expectations. While Trick or Treating may be for children, there is plenty of fun for the adults after the children are put to bed. The Halloween parties are a great time for dressing for fun and sex appeal instead of professionalism and maturity. Let loose your inner child and enjoy some of the hottest Halloween fashions on the market.

This Halloween, Alice in Wonderland is running hot! These costumes are based on the latest 3-D movie with Johnny Depp and Mia Wasikowska. This adaptation of the book is full of amazing costumes and characters that have made their way through the looking glass and into our world. Thank goodness for that too. Nothing is as great as a sexy story book character for Halloween.

Just as the new movie, Alice in Wonderland, has turned up the temperature, Betty Boop is keeping it hot too. She has been around since the 1920’s and has managed to maintain her sex appeal. The costumes that are modeled after her outfits are scandalous and unforgettable. Who would have ever thought that the character that was originally designed to be a Cocker Spaniel could have ever turned into such a sex icon?

No matter what costume one wears, be sure to make it appropriate for the event. You don’t want to be following your kids around town with a dress slit to the hip. If it is a work party, remember, you have to work with these people after the party. One other thing, no matter how sexy you look and feel in it, it is a costume. DO NOT wear it as regular clothing and think that it is acceptable. Halloween is one day a year. Enjoy that day; don’t abuse the privilege of wearing the costume by doing it daily.

October is breast cancer awareness month. This never really struck me, even though I know how serious of a condition breast cancer is. After all, it is a cancer that targets women over men, although men can also develop breast cancer. Yeah, I always did the walks and I raise money for breast cancer research, but I never really took it personally. I didn’t know anyone who had breast cancer or was even affected by someone else having breast cancer. Those that I knew about who had breast cancer in their family were so distant from me that I had a hard time relating to them.

All that changed this year. My grandmother was diagnosed as having breast cancer about a month ago. They preformed a biopsy and determined that it is a very aggressive type of cancer that could quickly kill her if it was not immediately treated. This presented a serious dilemma for my grandmother. After all, it is not as though she is a young woman any more. Her husband, my grandfather, passed some years before and she is living in a home alone. She does not want to burden anyone with her care, and she does not feel comfortable having this surgery. However, she is healthy and if the treatment would give her a good chance at living longer and being healthier, then why not at least make an attempt to have the cancer removed.

I was there every step of the first surgery when they went in and took out the mass, some tissue around it and a lymph node. Luckily, there were no complications and the lymph node showed a negative to any cancer in it. This hopefully means that the cancer has not spread beyond the breast. However, the tissue around the mass showed signs of “disease” and they need to go back in and remove more tissue. That surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, October 12^th.

We are hoping for a positive result from this surgery and continued success in treating her cancer. I am reflecting on how, after all this time of supporting breast cancer research without a single victim being known, I now know someone who has been a fixture in my life for as long as I can remember being a victim. To all those women, and men, who have experienced breast cancer, I support and salute you. I wish all those who have lost their loved ones condolences and a hug to yet you know, that I now understand.

As I walk through this month with my pink ribbon on my shoulder, I will constantly think of those who have not been as lucky as me and my grandmother. I will continue to support the mammogram testing of women throughout their life time and I will continue to do my self examinations. Cancer is indiscriminate, and the only true defense against it is constant vigilance.

There are some movies that simply take on a life of their own. They influence fashion in a way that no one expected. These movies speak to people on a huge level and people want to dress like or support the characters in the movie. It is as though the movie takes on a life of its own and the characters walk off the screen and into the every day life.

The Matrix brought about the trench coat and the duster from the military utilitarian wear into the civilian fashion wear. Along with the black leather duster and trench, this movie brought the dark sunglasses and leather clothing. The sleek and futuristic look became all the rage. Not that the fashion world suffered too much due to this.

One of the latest movies to influence the fashion world is the Twilight series. This movie series has inspired a couple different lines of fashion. The first is replicas of what the actors and actresses were wearing in the movies. There is a whole section of fashion dedicated to reproducing the dresses and outfits that the different characters wore. All of the details have been reproduced, including the jewelry and shoes. There are even temporary tattoo kits that mimic the different tattoos that are shown in the movies.

Not only did Twilight influence the fashion world by illustrating different clothing styles, the movies also influenced movie related clothing. All of the vampire and werewolf clothing is a direct result of the movie and the conflict between Edward, the vampire, and Jacob, the werewolf. These slogans can be seen on purses, shirts, pants, and dresses. There are even pieces of jewelry that say Edward or Jacob on them. It is amazing the influence that the movies have on fashion.

October 6, 2010

Dear Colleagues,

The volume of misinformation, distortions, and even out-right lies being presented as “facts” in our representational election has risen to staggering proportions. Management continues to throw millions of our concessionary dollars into trying to convince us to forfeit our legal rights and our voice in shaping our future. Never before have we experienced a company-sponsored union-busting campaign — much less one this aggressive, pervasive, intrusive and bold. It has been quite frankly shocking to experience the kinds of deceptive ploys most of us have only read about in history books. If our contract is inferior – why would they do this?

Dozens of concerned flight attendants write everyday with increasing urgency, asking us to address every wild claim.  It would be impossible to individually address virtually hundreds of examples of skewed semantics and inaccuracies.  The bottom line is this: management is trying to get us to take our eyes off retaining our right to negotiate a new legally binding Contract and to instead focus on misleading details they create to distract us.  Just in the last month we’ve seen:

• Large heavy-weight mailers – costing literally tens of thousands of dollars each

• DVD sent to our homes to convince us it’s more fun to go without a legally binding contract

• Countless signs, banners in our work areas, redesigned DeltaNet, copious anti-union videos, and posters with people holding hands, shiny airplanes and stacks of money.

• A system-wide “talk show”, complete with a biased moderator – broadcast on the web and featuring massive wide screen televisions and tech teams throughout the country.

• New Decision 2010 outfits for our flight attendant managers.

• Blogs and Facebook pages created for leaders to spend time telling us the “facts.”

• ….And now even television commercials!

If that isn’t enough, “rogue” anti-union flyers have arrived in home mailboxes throughout the system-sadly, with even more manipulated “information” and misleading side-by-side “comparisons” that are blatantly WRONG.  The U.S. Postal Service is now investigating possible mail fraud and looking into the source of these pricey productions – which are posted/labeled from a phony address.  Please be aware that these fliers appear deceptively similar to Delta’s own mailers, rivaling the company’s glossy print, production and choice of 1st class mail costs. The funding source and source of our address list remains a mystery.

We’ve also learned this week that Delta management has repositioned IFS supervisors and directors to Amsterdam and Tokyo layover hotels.  They are taking Decision 2010 Transoceanic and helping to spread “facts” overseas.  What’s more, it appears that management is attempting to extend its advocacy policy to the lobbies of layover hotels.  Hotel security told AFA supporters we are not allowed to speak to our colleagues while we’re in uniform, or generally advocate for a Contract. Where that direction came from is up to you to decide, but we have never seen anything like this in the past from the NH in AMS or the Radisson in NRT.  NH management has told us there is no such hotel policy.

In the face of this well-funded corporate attack on our rights, I have every faith in our members’ resolve, and in our ability to cut through the slick, glossy material, skewed semantics, and so-called “comparisons” of manipulated numbers. Even so, sheer information overload can be overwhelming, a tactic that is used by design to clutter the messages and make us question what we know.  Somehow, we have always managed to figure out how to vote in previous elections without flashing reminders on our computer screens, strong-arming managers, or a barrage of slick posters, banners, videos, commercials, webcasts and mailers. I know we will do so again.

Delta has said, “Things could get better, get worse or stay the same”…but why wouldn’t they get better if we’re dealing with a company who cares so much about us?  We have every reason to believe we will see the same quick paced negotiations that our pilots had.  In fact, just yesterday we received a copy of the new improved contract Delta negotiated in mere months with the employees in Japan.  Delta and Japan Employees Union signed their CBA on September 9th, along with an additional yearly bonus program.

We are living in times of robust recovery in the aviation sector yet flight attendants are often earning less than we did a decade ago. This is often disguised by an exponential increase in our productivity. Remember when flying over 80 hours was unnecessary and an anomaly?  When we make improvements to our compensation, work rules, and job protective provisions only our Contract will ensure that those agreements will not fluctuate with inevitable changes in management or other unforeseen factors.  Promises are welcome, but a Contract lives on.

As a 1998 hire I truly believe I would not have a job without our Contract – due to the outsourcing that NWA proposed in 2005-2006. I was first in my class at NWA, I am a Chairman’s Club Nominee, and I have a BA in Spanish and Sociology. I am not unusual in our group – we are professional flight attendants and this is our career. We deserve a legally binding Contract with good pay, job protection and work rules. I voted AFA because I believe we must have a Contract in our volatile industry.  I’m proud to be a professional Delta flight attendant and member of a union that has improved the flight attendant profession for decades.

November 3rd will be a truly historic day for flight attendants at Delta.  We know that we can all come together to build an industry leading Contract and an even stronger Delta. Join us and vote yes to a voice and our right to a legal Contract at Delta – Vote Yes for AFA.

In unity for a better future,

Janette Rook
MEC President

Winter is a harsh time of year. It is cold, icy and snowy. There are tons of obstacles for the winter season. Luckily, finding fashionable boots are not one of those obstacles. There are some things to consider when you are purchasing boots for winter though. The fashion part is one thing, but so too is the functionality of those boots, because what good is a pair of shoes if you can barely walk or feel your toes as you fight your way through the winter snow, slush and ice?

IAmMoody.com may be based in Twin Cities, but this is a national e-Zine. That being said, there may be some who do not understand what the big deal with the warm boots and flat. Well, for you lucky people down south, the northern winters tend to include tons of wet snow, ice and slush. This means cold feet and difficulty walking. For many people, driving is easier than walking in the winter months. Hence, why it is so essential to get a fashionable, but very functional, pair of boots.

The sharp pointed boots are not hot this year. Instead, look for rounded or square toes. This also helps to provide you with a more stable shoe. The thin heel is hot, but so too is the stacked heel. The stacked heel tends to be a bit thicker than the typical thin heel and it is easier to walk in. Because the heel is thicker, it is also more comfortable if you will be wearing those boots the entire day.

Wedges and flats are also sexy and fashionable on boots. These boots add stability and maintain their functionality. They are also oh, so cute! These boots offer a nice rubber sole and are often lined with either faux fur or sheering. These boots are comfortable enough to wear on a longer walk while being warm enough to handle the coldest and wettest of weather.

The height of the boots is also important. There are all different heights. The ankle boot is pretty and very fashionable; however, it is not completely practical when it comes to keeping warm and dry. The calf boot, such as the cowboy boot (oh so hot this year) is much more practical and can be paired with cute dresses or pants. The knee high boots look good and are comfortable and fashionable, but be careful of the thigh high boots. These boots can look cheap or… um… compromising… if they are paired with too short or too tight of an outfit.

The peep-toe boot did make an appearance this year. These boots are not meant to be worn in the blistering cold. They are meant for the summer months. Please, they may be cute, but spare your toes and keep them enclosed in the warmth that a full boot can provide. There is not much worse than having to walk through slush with bare toes. Nothing is less fashionable then freezing your toes off or needing medical assistance for the sake of fashion.