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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 7:48 am
Michelle's bio states: quote:Michelle, 34, was born on Whidbey Island, Washington and raised on the central coast of California. A natural entrepreneur, she has dedicated much of her adult life building a flourishing career in real estate, and now averages $50 million in annual sales. Through the years she has become an expert in real estate remodel and design, as she is also an active investor. Thriving on creative outlets, Michelle started a publishing company and wrote and produced her own book titled, "The Voice of Gratitude - Celebrating the Gift of Friendship" which she successfully sold to Hallmark Gold Crown across North America. She has also hosted several television programs, including real estate shows, and recently began work as a host for Al Gore's network, Current. Inspired to give back, Michelle also founded Urban Circle, an LA-based non-profit organization designed to empower children through participation in physically challenging activities. Michelle, who currently resides in Santa Monica, CA, says she should be the next Apprentice because she has "the integrity, smarts and drive to make anything possible."
Based on her bio, I'm thinking that she doesn't NEED Trump or his organization. It sounds as if she's quite successful in her own right, and I'm impressed that she "gives back." If I were here, I would've definitely resigned. Probably the first week. I'd be applying for a job, not applying for Survivor. I would expect to be treated with respect during the interview process. I think it's degrading enough to have to deal with Trump and his egocentricities (and name calling), but to be relegated to living in a tent as a "have not"? She shoulda bailed sooner. Actually, evil person that I am... I'd love to see EVERYONE living in the tent city resign. Wouldn't that just screw the heck outta their "plans" for conflict!
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 7:53 am
I'm in full agreement with you, Costacat!
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 10:03 am
I agree! Wouldn't it have been wonderful if they had had a full-fledged walkout? OH.. sorry, you said the same in your last paragraph, Costa! Count me in as another evil person. I suppose they threatened her with not paying her stipend for the first days, but so what? In that case, better to walk early and get back to her life. I hated the tent idea as soon as I read about it pre-season. And then Trump was so gleeful in interviews about how nasty the camp became in time. I have a feeling he is the type of employer who expects his employees to constantly be proving themselves, and that he tests their loyalty. Carolyn was lucky to get out of Dodge when she did.
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Zachsmom
Member
07-13-2000
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 10:15 am
I do not understand why some of these successful people want this apprentice job. I really wish Donald would have fired one of the others from Michelle's team as it was obvious they were setting her up to be fired. They all did a lousy job, on purpose!
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Babyjaxmom
Member
10-20-2002
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 10:21 am
I haven't read the biographies, but I'd imagine all the folks selected for this show have pretty much the same level of achievement and accomplishment on their resumes. Isn't it a shame that the competitive nature of this show seems to bring out the worst in people? Rather than working as a team, as would be expected in the "real" world, these folks are more or less forced to backstab and sabotage each other to get ahead. Better to throw someone else under the bus than get fired yourself, right? I just see it as entertainment. As we know, even the "winner" of this show will disappear into a windowless cubby at Trump Tower as soon as the show as over. The only one of all the seasons we ever seem to see is Bill Rancic. Now there's a class act!
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Puzzled
Member
08-27-2001
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 11:48 am
The Apprentice is really one long, long informercial disguised as a "job interview," disguised as a reality show.
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Pixieduster
Member
09-27-2004
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 12:11 pm
As a former HR exec, I was happy to see Michelle speak up and say she wanted out. Yes, she appeared whiny, weak and indecisive and would have been fired anyway. However, we don't know at what point she had decided this "opportunity" wasn't for her. She may have not bargained for the "game" aspect and what impact the jockeying for position or positioning someone on the team to take the fall would have on her psyche. Add into that the awful living conditions and she'd lost any edge she may have gone into the game thinking she had based on what she'd already achieved in life. What I was impressed with, was watching her transform in the boardroom when she spoke to Trump. She was solid and centered vs. the weak person we'd seen in the projects. She was speaking her truth - the job, the game, the phoniness of the whole situation wasn't in alignment with who she is. I've had to sit across from people who were so wrong for a job, clearly weren't performing well, and still insisting they were the right person and we spent a lot of time and resources trying to make them "right" - don't get me wrong, I'm all for coaching and mentoring someone; but I buy into the philosophy of First Break All The Rules - that the best thing for everyone is just to move them out, or help them make the decision for themselves, or move them into something where their strengths can shine. So, long way of saying - kudos to Michelle for one-upping the old Donald. (And he was so clearly bullying her - I wouldn't work for someone who needed that to thrive). And one last thing - I'd bet you a bottle of Trump Ice that the Donald would never, ever, ever accept those living conditions himself - he'd have walked off too - project, job opportunity be damned.
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Kep421
Member
08-11-2001
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 12:30 pm
Well sooner or later the have's are gonna end up the "have nots". Its easy to be a working team and have full confidence in the winner's circle. I personally can't wait to see how the others handle tent city. I was totally astounded when someone (don't remember who) was complaining about the freezing 70 something degrees....LOL 70 degrees is my perfect comfort zone!!!
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 1:05 pm
Trump said that it wasn't too cold because it was 72 degrees in LA. What he didn't mention was that it was 72 degrees during the daytime. Nighttime temps can be quite cold (if you don't believe me, try to find some avocados at a decent price for your Super Bowl party!). I dunno when this was filmed, but I'm sure the nighttime temps were in the low 50's at least. And sorry, but to me, that's danged cold! Remember, they are sleeping outside. And it's always coldest just before dawn. So they would notice the cold evenings.
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Christiii
Member
07-07-2005
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 1:50 pm
I used to like the show, especially in the beginning...but now I just cant stomach it....The Donald really showed is true colors during the Rose thing, and he just came off as so vindictive and mean spirited to me. Im not a huge Rosie fan (tho I do agree with her quite often), Also, I just cant help but think his kids are following that path...ugh...just the way they all sit there so smug, it is just distasteful to think that they hold themselves up as so successful and deserve such adoration and respect, when I dont think they have done much to deserve it. I think the Donald is not someone you want to cross in business, I think he fights pretty dirty...and we have only seen what he says to the press!! I can only imagine how cruel he can be behind the scenes..
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Kep421
Member
08-11-2001
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 3:00 pm
Costa... I was referring to one of the tent-ites stating that it was a freaking cold 70 something degrees....it wasn't in the boardroom... it was a comment they were making inside the tent... I think I have nordic blood in me somewhere because I prefer the coolness to the heat. 50's to 70's wouldn't bother me....80's to 90's would kill me in tent city...
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 3:24 pm
But with 80's or 90's (which, btw, is totally within MY comfort zone), you could go play in the sprinklers! 
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Buggles
Member
09-07-2002
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 3:27 pm
Good to see I'm not the only one who thinks Trump wouldn't put up with living in 'tent city.' You know, it's easy to call someone a 'quitter' when you've been your own boss for decades (and kudos for that). But reality check: try working for someone who calls you a 'loser' and makes you LIVE IN A TENT! What is this, fraternity hazing or a job interview???
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Rehtse
Member
08-17-2005
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 3:29 pm
Costa, it is very cold in L.A. at night. We slept outside for a week after an earthquake in '94. Not only was it not warm, but it was darn right uncomfortable. We did, however, have access to the bathroom facilities inside the house. My folks were just a bit overly cautious.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 4:29 pm
Hey Rehtse. I know it's cold at night... I live in San Diego. I know darned well exactly HOW cold it is. Which is why I was pissed off at Trump's comment, basically, blowing off Michelle when she said it was cold at night. Wasn't that the Northridge quake, in January, yes? So it was about as cold as it has been lately. I think Trump was filmed during the summer, though, so nights would've been a tad bit warmer. Still, cold damp nights (and damper from the sprinklers) are not fun!
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 4:53 pm
And, everybody, let us not forget: Go Geezers!!!
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Oregonguy
Member
02-12-2006
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 6:11 pm
would trump live in the tent? hell no. the apprentice ratings have been going down and its just a gimmick to try to increase ratings. would trump call people names in a real interview? no. this is for "good tv" just like when american idol rips on contestants. granted someone gets a job at the end but this is not real life situations at all. do i feel sorry for any of the contestants living outside? no, like on big brother expect the unexpected! these reality shows will do anything to have ratings and a good majority of contestants just want their 15 minutes of fame.
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Buggles
Member
09-07-2002
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 6:49 pm
good points oregon, that's a realistic take on things. but the way i see it, trump can't expect the 'candidates' to treat this seriously as the job opportunity of a lifetime and with professionalism when he is calling them names and relegating them to living in a tent. it's a flawed formula.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 9:56 pm
Y'know, no matter how much we dislike this season, Trump, or the "twists"... what the heck are we doing? Discussing the show, ad nauseum. LOL...
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 10:22 pm
We sure are, aren't we? I wonder just when this was taped? Probably not in the heatwave we had this summer, if it was then they'd be complaining about the heat in the tents. I prefer it to be cool for sleeping and I definitely keep my windows oopen and fans going in the summer and I'm closer to the beach than the tent city is. I wouldn't want to share a tent with a bunch of people though.
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Jennywa
Member
07-17-2003
| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 10:50 pm
I am so done watching this show.....
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Chiliwilli
Member
09-04-2006
| Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 1:13 am
My two cents ~ 50° is not that cold for sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag. The whole situation is to help demoralize the losing team and it's working.
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Buggles
Member
09-07-2002
| Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 2:14 am
Discussing the show is sure a heck of a lot more fun than watching it If it weren't for this board, there wouldn't have been anything redeeming about this season (so far imo), so thanks everyone!
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Buggles
Member
09-07-2002
| Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 2:24 am
Chili, I just noticed you are in Alaska... that MIGHT help explain why you are a little more cold tolerant than Costa in San Diego, lol 
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 7:37 am
Chilli, 50 degrees *is* cold if you are not used it. Believe me, it's quite cold for me, and I would be extremely uncomfortable sleeping in a tent in those temps. Remember, too, these folks thought they were going on a job interview. I highly doubt they brought cool weather clothing (can you say "flannel"?). I have camped in colder temps (the desert in the winter, for example). But I went prepared, knowing full well that I'd be freezing my behind off. My point? It's all relative. And if you KNOW it's gonna be cold, you'll be prepared. These folks end up huddling underneath blankets. A clue that they did not come prepared to camp out at night. And yes, there is a world of difference between what *I* consider cold (thanks Buggles!) and what the rest of you consider cold. (I was miserable in the 17 degrees in SLC a couple weeks ago.)
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