THE WORKPLACE DRESS CODE
Hey, all you persons with Moebius either looking for a job or for a better job--don't forget how important it can be to dress for success:
"In a 2010 national poll conducted by the Center for Professional Excellence at York College of Pennsylvania, "appearance" ranked second only to "communication skills" when respondents named qualities most often associated with professionalism. "How an individual dresses for work can be a powerful extension of his personal brand," says Matthew Randall, executive director of the CPE. "Clothes, accessories and even the footwear an employee chooses to wear help to reinforce or diminish his skills and qualities in the eyes of his employer, co-workers and clients."
Universal dress rules can't be set in stone, because what is considered appropriate varies by workplace, field and what is happening on a given day. But if such a tablet were to be created, there's a good chance it would include the following:
1. Modesty is a virtue.
Get noticed for your great work, not your tight pants, overdone makeup, short skirt or cleavage-revealing shirt.
"Nothing undermines how you are perceived in business as leaving nothing to the imagination," says Chris Hauri, founder of Mirror Image, a Chicago-based image and identity consultancy.
2. Keep holy the casual Friday.
Yes, the workweek is almost done -- the key word being almost. "Casual Fridays are a recipe for fashion disasters," says Lizandra Vega, author of "The Image of Success: Make a Great Impression and Land the Job You Want." Don't jump the gun by wearing your weekend plans, whether that be catching some rays in a halter top and short shorts or cleaning out the garage in your college sweatshirt and cut-offs.
3. Thou shalt wear the right shoes.
Your feet should look prepared for work. Vega suggests skipping flip-flops and other open-toe shoes, while Hauri notes, "High high heels may be fashionable, but not for actually working. Image conveyed: I can't pitch in and do any work because I really can't walk in these things. Want to be a team player? Wear flats."
4. Honor thy leaders.
Not sure what is appropriate for casual Friday or a client meeting? Look around. "The wisest employees often observe and take cues from the most respected individuals within their organization on what is appropriate workplace attire," Randall says.
5. Thou shalt not steal thy boss's tie.
Keep in mind that taking cues from those above does not mean replicating their wardrobe piece for piece. Instead of coming off as a lemming, find comparable styles, colors and accessories that work for you.
6. Control thy festiveness.
Wearing seasonal colors is one thing, looking like Santa's elf is another. Randall recalls a story about a co-worker who exuberantly over-accessorized her outfits to fit the holidays. "Her overzealousness caused her co-workers to snicker, and she became unofficially known as 'the walking calendar.' Moral of the story: Your workplace wardrobe should enhance your professional skills and qualities, not detract from them."
7. Remember the good book.
Whether you are questioning what constitutes an acceptable variation of a uniform or wondering about the company's stance on jeans, chances are the employee handbook has the answer. Still trying to decide if you should cover up a tattoo? Seek the advice of a trusted mentor, human resources representative or immediate supervisor.
8. Thou shalt notice what year it is.
Congratulations on taking such good care of your clothing that items from 1983 are still "fine" today. Now put these relics in the Goodwill box where they should have landed years ago. While one need not be a fashionista, looking outdated can give the impression that you lack fresh ideas.
9. Err on the side of caution.
Worried that your casual Friday outfit might be too relaxed or that a bright orange shirt might not be received well by a new client? Avoid the guesswork -- and the corresponding nervousness -- by making safer choices when in doubt.
10. Dress for the job thou want.
A final tidbit: "My advice for everyone, no matter what age or gender, is to dress for the job you want, not the one you're in," Hauri says. "Unless you're happy with where you are, which is just fine."

FRIDAY FOOTBALL PICKS

TWO COLLEGE PICKS

Michigan State at Notre Dame.  PICK:  IRISH.  They've just got too much talent to lose yet again.  Plus they're due for bounces to start going their way.

Oklahoma at Florida State.  PICK:  SOONERS.  Just too much talent.  Florida State is on the upswing; but it's not a team used to these kind of bright lights and pressure.  OU though certainly is.

First, the NFL.  Er, ahem, let's forget last week---I was 4-10-1 against the spread; I was correct though in my two college picks, so I was 6-10-1 overall.  Got to do better!

Chicago at New Orleans.  LINE:  New Orleans by 6.5.  My pick:  SAINTS.  The Bears played well in week 1.  But they benefited big time from Atlanta turnovers.  I don't think that will happen with the Saints' high-octane, efficient offense.   Plus the Dome gets loud when the Saints get a lead; not good news for Jay Cutler.

Kansas City at Detroit. LINE:  Detroit by 8.  PICK:  LIONS.  Detroit has improved and remains healthy.  The Chiefs looked awful last week and will have a hard time running the ball against the Lions' tough D-line.

Jacksonville at the NY Jets.  LINE:  Jets by 9.  PICK:  JAGUARS.  The Jets will win.  But Mark Sanchez and the offense still have a ways to go; the Jets don't score enough points to cover a spread like this.  Plus the Jags' Maurice Jones-Drew will be able to run the ball enough to keep this a low-scoring affair.

Oakland at Buffao.  LINE:  Buffalo by 3.  MY PICK:  BILLS.  They're hot.  They're home.  The Raiders are not absolutely horrible, but they have a short week coming off of Monday night, and they commit too many penalties.

Arizona at Washington.  LINE:  Washington by 3.5.  PICK:  REDSKINS.  The 'Skins defense has improved, while AZ's is leaky (see last week and what Cam Newton did to them).  And the Cardinals traditionally have not played well on the east coast.

Baltimore at Tennessee.  LINE:  Baltimore by 6.  MY PICK:  RAVENS.  Hard to go against that defense and Joe Flacco right now, especially coming off their performance against the Steelers.  Meanwhile, one gets the sense that both Matt Hasselbeck and Chris Johnson have yet to get comfortable with the Titans' offense.

Seattle at Pittsburgh.  LINE:  Pittsburgh by 14.  MY PICK:  SEAHAWKS.  Not, of course, to win. The Steelers will win.  But 14 is a big spread to cover.  I just think the Steelers will still be a bit discombobulated from last week, still a bit mentally down, and will win maybe by 10.  And the Seahawks' defense is not horrible.

Carolina at Green Bay.  LINE:  Green Bay by 10.  MY PICK:  PACKERS.  If the Saints can't slow down the Pack Attack, neither will Carolina.  And look for Green Bay's defense to put up more resistance to Cam Newton than did Arizona.

Tampa Bay at Minnesota.  LINE:  Minnesota by 3.  MY PICK:  VIKINGS.  Neither team looked too good last week. But the Vikings are at home and have Adrian Peterson...

Cleveland at Indianapolis.  LINE:  Cleveland by 2.5.  MY PICK:  COLTS.  I know; I thought last week the Colts would stand stronger and boy, was I wrong.   But this week they're at home; they were embarrassed last week, and know it; Kerry Collins has now had more time to work himself in as QB; and the Colts still have too many talented players to lay another egg.  Cleveland meanwhile lost at home to Cincinnati.

Dallas at San Francisco.  LINE:  Cowboys by 3.  MY PICK:  COWBOYS.  Look, they dominated much of the game against the Jets, and Tony Romo for the most part played well.  Yes, they blew it.  But don't look for the Niners to force turnovers like the Jets do, and San Fran's offense, led by Alex Smith, still have a ways to go.  The Cowboys are the better team here.  They'll show it.

Houston at Miami.  LINE:  Houston by 3.  MY PICK:  TEXANS.  One just has the feeling that the Texans are ready to take the next step.  And needless to say, Monday night showed that the Dolphins' secondary has some issues.  Look for Matt Schaub to take advantage.

San Diego at New England.  LINE:  New England by 6.5.  MY PICK:  PATRIOTS.  Can't pick against this Tom Brady-led offense, especially when it appears to be operating at such a high level.

Cincinnati at Denver.  LINE:  Denver by 3.5.  MY PICK:  BRONCOS.  John Fox will get this team improved from week 1 to week 2.  Andy Dalton for the Bengals played decently last week; but he's a bit banged up, and Kyle Orton still has more experience at this point.

Philadelphia at Atlanta.  LINE:  Philadelphia by 2.5.  MY PICK:  FALCONS.  I can't believe this team will lay 2 eggs in a row.  Plus they're at home, and their defense has the speed to keep Michael Vick contained.

MONDAY NIGHT:  St. Louis at the NY Giants.  LINE:  Giants by 6.  MY PICK:  GIANTS.  They're at home; and St. Louis is already wracked by injuries, to Steven Jackson, to Sam Bradford's thumb, etc.  The Giants will get to feeling better for a week.

"Only he who can see the invisible can do the impossible."
-Frank Gaines