It's 9:09pm. I'm in bed, ready to zonk out for the night. I just wanted to put it out there into the universe that weekends are too short and they should be 3 days instead of 2. Oh, and also, I want 6 weeks of vacation every year. Thanks.
PS - KK found HGTV, Bravo, Lifetime Movie Network and Style in the higher numbers on our TVs. I don't think I need to pay Comcast for cable ever again. Stickin' it to the man.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Oh Napa.
I've lived in this town for almost three years now - three years that flew by in some ways and have dragged on in many others. As I've mentioned many times before, this town sucks. I know it, lots of people know it, and unless you're in the right place in life (i.e. married, married with kids, retired), it's just not the place to be. It's not awesome for meeting new people, especially those of the opposite gender, and the ones I have gone out with are pretty much losers. I'm not generalizing, just going by past experiences thus far. Um, remember that bad date? Yeah. Me too.
That alllll said, I have met some super cool friends here. Random meetings, like at the Chandon Pink Party, have morphed into friendships that I value so much. I've now met so many new friends who are down to earth, normal, friendly and welcoming. A wine tasting day turned into dinner with a new friend. Like pretty much anything in life, it comes down to timing. The friends I've made here are in the same place in life as I am - single, homeowners, stable jobs. This town is a hard place to crack...people usually have their groups of friends they've had for many years and that's hard to get into. I'm not from here and some of my "new" friends aren't either, but some of them are. As long as you're open, nice, normal, and friendly, it's not horribly difficult to meet new people. Sure, you have to take some risks and put yourself out there, but there are good people everywhere, you just have to be open to meeting them.
PS - If I were as good at meeting guys as I am new friends that are girls, I'd be big pimpin.
That alllll said, I have met some super cool friends here. Random meetings, like at the Chandon Pink Party, have morphed into friendships that I value so much. I've now met so many new friends who are down to earth, normal, friendly and welcoming. A wine tasting day turned into dinner with a new friend. Like pretty much anything in life, it comes down to timing. The friends I've made here are in the same place in life as I am - single, homeowners, stable jobs. This town is a hard place to crack...people usually have their groups of friends they've had for many years and that's hard to get into. I'm not from here and some of my "new" friends aren't either, but some of them are. As long as you're open, nice, normal, and friendly, it's not horribly difficult to meet new people. Sure, you have to take some risks and put yourself out there, but there are good people everywhere, you just have to be open to meeting them.
PS - If I were as good at meeting guys as I am new friends that are girls, I'd be big pimpin.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Happy Wednesday!
I was thinking this morning - this foggy, really difficult to get up type of morning - that the only downside I can think of with a commute this short is that when I'm tired and haven't gotten enough sleep, you can see it. I look horrible. With not even 10 minutes to work, this is not enough time to wake up and look somewhat presentable. Today, to kill time, I went to Starbucks. I don't care if Starbucks people see my puffy, half-open eyes and my slow demeanor. Maybe I should try getting to bed earlier. Or waking up earlier and getting back on a routine. My bed is just sooooo warm with all those blankies......is summer here yet?
I was also thinking on my drive over here that I love books. I love libraries and bookstores - two places I rarely go. I usually buy my books at the thrift store for $1 or less....I just can't justify buying a new book unless it's reference material. I love the feel and smell of books, the awkward keeping open of the page, when I can dog-ear a page. I hope the Kindle doesn't replace the printing of books. That would make me sad.
I was also thinking on my drive over here that I love books. I love libraries and bookstores - two places I rarely go. I usually buy my books at the thrift store for $1 or less....I just can't justify buying a new book unless it's reference material. I love the feel and smell of books, the awkward keeping open of the page, when I can dog-ear a page. I hope the Kindle doesn't replace the printing of books. That would make me sad.
Organize. Organize. Organize.
How is my organization going in 2010, you ask? Ummmm. Slow and steady wins the race. My house looks like it threw up on itself. I swear, in the disaster I've created, I am getting more organized. The file drawer in the office? Organized. Will anyone ever see that besides me? No. Does it look like I've made progress? No. Does it feel good to get the drawer organized? Oh yes.
In other news, I got home pretty late this evening from shooting an event in the city. Always awesome but man I'm tired. Exhausted but exhilarated. I love love love to shoot. Being in the city also reminded me about how much I'd like to move back. The restaurant where the event was being held was bustling with a ton of people - my age - and it's only Tuesday. Friends meeting friends for happy hour. Coworkers enjoying a pint and conversation. First dates. All that sounds better than me + my TV. Blah.
As I got onto the Bay Bridge, I saw that they were filming a movie where S and I once stood in freeway run off. Sounds disgusting I know...because IT WAS. We had gone to a club on Harrison and were trying to find a cab to take us back to the island. This was not the night S lost a shoe in the club. In our journey to find a cab, we found a waterfall coming off of what was left of the Embarcadero Freeway. Yep, freeway run off. Lovely image, ain't it? I guess that's what you do when you're 21 and ruh-TARDs.
On that note, I'm off to bed. I'll check ya later, homeslices.
In other news, I got home pretty late this evening from shooting an event in the city. Always awesome but man I'm tired. Exhausted but exhilarated. I love love love to shoot. Being in the city also reminded me about how much I'd like to move back. The restaurant where the event was being held was bustling with a ton of people - my age - and it's only Tuesday. Friends meeting friends for happy hour. Coworkers enjoying a pint and conversation. First dates. All that sounds better than me + my TV. Blah.
As I got onto the Bay Bridge, I saw that they were filming a movie where S and I once stood in freeway run off. Sounds disgusting I know...because IT WAS. We had gone to a club on Harrison and were trying to find a cab to take us back to the island. This was not the night S lost a shoe in the club. In our journey to find a cab, we found a waterfall coming off of what was left of the Embarcadero Freeway. Yep, freeway run off. Lovely image, ain't it? I guess that's what you do when you're 21 and ruh-TARDs.
On that note, I'm off to bed. I'll check ya later, homeslices.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Another Taco Bell Post
I'm posting twice in one week about Taco Bell. Hey, it's my favorite fast food chain by a long shot, and this story was just way too funny to ignore.
Man gets day in jail for throwing taco at manager
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) --
An Alaska man who hit a Taco Bell manager in the face with a double-decker taco has been sentenced to one day in jail and one year probation. Warren Strickland of Fairbanks must also pay a $100 fine after pleading guilty Tuesday to disorderly conduct.
The 31-year-old says he threw the taco because it contained spit after he went through the drive-thru twice because the restaurant messed up his order. He claims the manager accused him of lying to get free food.
Strickland is barred from Taco Bell during his year of probation.
Taco Bell is owned by Yum! Brands.
___
Information from: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
Rockband
Like I may have mentioned before...I'm going on over two weeks without a Rockband fix. I hope to change this on Friday, so we'll see.
I just read this article about how Rockband/Guitar Hero sales are falling flat, that the genre is no longer hot hot hot. I have come to the conclusion based on this article that I. am. old. I JUST bought Rockband 2, I love it and would play everyday if someone else lived here. I once was an early adopter and now I'm falling just after the peak. Hm. I don't like this game. (not you, Rockband the game, I adore you.)
Ok, I'm going back to building my ark now.
I just read this article about how Rockband/Guitar Hero sales are falling flat, that the genre is no longer hot hot hot. I have come to the conclusion based on this article that I. am. old. I JUST bought Rockband 2, I love it and would play everyday if someone else lived here. I once was an early adopter and now I'm falling just after the peak. Hm. I don't like this game. (not you, Rockband the game, I adore you.)
Ok, I'm going back to building my ark now.
Minor Annoyances
Ya know when you're sleeping and there's a bug that flies by your ear and it wakes you up? Sometimes this can be really irritating, but most of the time it's just a minor annoyance. Like when someone spills on your new couch. I mean, really, who cares, right? It's just a couch. You get over it pretty quickly. Some people can be minor annoyances too....the name dropper, the one-upper, the ever-present hypocrite, the super snob. I try to take these folks in stride and not become friends with them. The minor annoyance of their personalities would become major issues if I spent a lot of time with them and that's just not. good. for. anyone. That's all on that.
I just got home from my friend's house and from behind the gate, I spot something weird on my front porch. It's white and it looks like someone spilled something all over the right side of the porch. Lightning flashes so I hurry under my overhang, still not sure what it is. I bend down - IT'S A TON OF HAIL! I laid down and made a hail angel and then scooped some up, put it in a baggie and put it in my freezer. Ok, I didn't make an angel but I really did put some in my freezer. I mean, COME ON. When does it hail here and stick?? Never! By the way, I am super in love with the thunder and lightning. Mr. Winter - keep it comin'. This midwesterner at heart loves this.
One last note - please. stop. copying. me. It's getting really old. The whole imitation is the sincerest form of flattery thing is over and now it's just annoying. More than just a minor annoyance. There's truly no need to do it either...true thoughts and words are much more interesting than ripping off someone else's.
Ok, one more last note...Don Giovanni's is really good. Who knew. I was lucky enough to eat there today and man that ravioli was delightful.
Yeah, I'm still not done writing. It's weird how it comes in spurts. Sometimes I can go weeks and nothing - writer's block galore. Then there are days like today when I just go on and on about nothing. Oh well. That's what this blog is for.
I just got home from my friend's house and from behind the gate, I spot something weird on my front porch. It's white and it looks like someone spilled something all over the right side of the porch. Lightning flashes so I hurry under my overhang, still not sure what it is. I bend down - IT'S A TON OF HAIL! I laid down and made a hail angel and then scooped some up, put it in a baggie and put it in my freezer. Ok, I didn't make an angel but I really did put some in my freezer. I mean, COME ON. When does it hail here and stick?? Never! By the way, I am super in love with the thunder and lightning. Mr. Winter - keep it comin'. This midwesterner at heart loves this.
One last note - please. stop. copying. me. It's getting really old. The whole imitation is the sincerest form of flattery thing is over and now it's just annoying. More than just a minor annoyance. There's truly no need to do it either...true thoughts and words are much more interesting than ripping off someone else's.
Ok, one more last note...Don Giovanni's is really good. Who knew. I was lucky enough to eat there today and man that ravioli was delightful.
Yeah, I'm still not done writing. It's weird how it comes in spurts. Sometimes I can go weeks and nothing - writer's block galore. Then there are days like today when I just go on and on about nothing. Oh well. That's what this blog is for.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Gordita Supreme
Dear Mr. Glen W. Bell Jr.,
I read today that you have passed on, have started your run for the border in the sky. I'm so very sorry to hear this news.
I want to thank you for starting Taco Bell well before I was born. Because of your entrepreneurship, I have been able to enjoy Taco Bell since I can remember. My love affair with the 7-layer burrito began in high school, when we found out we could make a mall run for Taco Bell and be back in time before lunch was over. Lately, my Taco Bell cravings have been satisfied with 2 crunchy tacos, 1 soft taco and a beef Gordita Supreme. Does life get any better?
From all of the Taco Bell fans around the world, we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 3am on weekends and Sunday afternoons have never been more complete.
~Your Biggest Fan.
I read today that you have passed on, have started your run for the border in the sky. I'm so very sorry to hear this news.
I want to thank you for starting Taco Bell well before I was born. Because of your entrepreneurship, I have been able to enjoy Taco Bell since I can remember. My love affair with the 7-layer burrito began in high school, when we found out we could make a mall run for Taco Bell and be back in time before lunch was over. Lately, my Taco Bell cravings have been satisfied with 2 crunchy tacos, 1 soft taco and a beef Gordita Supreme. Does life get any better?
From all of the Taco Bell fans around the world, we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 3am on weekends and Sunday afternoons have never been more complete.
~Your Biggest Fan.
Friday, January 15, 2010
A Ramble or Two
I'm having an off day/week. I'm not so self-important that I can't admit that. Some people seem to think that whatever they post online has to be a ridiculous representation about how life is. Some days, life sucks. And that's ok. I'm big into my online persona, I know how to manage it and how to be transparent and genuine. I attend a lot of webinars, seminars and conferences. I read industry books, blogs and websites, and I follow a lot of industry professionals on Twitter. I do all of this to make sure I understand the social media standards in how putting yourself out there should be handled in a professional way.
Everything I want people to see is public. Everything I want hidden from the public is hidden. An obvious statement, but a lot of people don't seem to comprehend that. Even though my Facebook personal page is private, I'm still very careful about what I post there and I'm very particular about my privacy settings. Having 400 "friends" means there are a lot of people on there who are in my industry or are people I don't need seeing my personal silliness.
I am much more conscious about my public persona than I ever have been. I'm honest and open about my thoughts and my life in my blog because I truly believe in being genuine and transparent. Some of the main issues I see in my general blog reading out there is that people seem to put on a show. Every once in a while I come across a blog where the author is trying to make you think he/she is a certain way. They're being transparent, and not in a good way. This type of transparency is the "I see right through you, and now I don't trust anything that comes out of your mouth"-transparency. Being transparent in the social media space, if you take it seriously, is showing your true colors, good and bad, to your readers.
I do take this very seriously. Honest to a fault sometimes, I'm telling you stories here - boring for the most part, I know - but I hope sometimes they're entertaining. I don't contradict myself, and if I do, it's because I've changed my mind, and I will call it out. What I tell you in this blog is true, authentic and real. I'm not making myself sound better than I am, I'm not making my life sound better than it is, and I'm not talking down to you, my readers, all seven of you, in any way, shape or form. There are some days I forget this thing is online, that I have just shared something with the world, but in the end, I'd rather have you know ME, not some image of me that I want you to believe. If you write a life blog for yourself, as a journal, as a way to record your life, then you'd never embellish it, exaggerate things or happy-wash things just to make your readers think a certain way.
Everything I want people to see is public. Everything I want hidden from the public is hidden. An obvious statement, but a lot of people don't seem to comprehend that. Even though my Facebook personal page is private, I'm still very careful about what I post there and I'm very particular about my privacy settings. Having 400 "friends" means there are a lot of people on there who are in my industry or are people I don't need seeing my personal silliness.
I am much more conscious about my public persona than I ever have been. I'm honest and open about my thoughts and my life in my blog because I truly believe in being genuine and transparent. Some of the main issues I see in my general blog reading out there is that people seem to put on a show. Every once in a while I come across a blog where the author is trying to make you think he/she is a certain way. They're being transparent, and not in a good way. This type of transparency is the "I see right through you, and now I don't trust anything that comes out of your mouth"-transparency. Being transparent in the social media space, if you take it seriously, is showing your true colors, good and bad, to your readers.
I do take this very seriously. Honest to a fault sometimes, I'm telling you stories here - boring for the most part, I know - but I hope sometimes they're entertaining. I don't contradict myself, and if I do, it's because I've changed my mind, and I will call it out. What I tell you in this blog is true, authentic and real. I'm not making myself sound better than I am, I'm not making my life sound better than it is, and I'm not talking down to you, my readers, all seven of you, in any way, shape or form. There are some days I forget this thing is online, that I have just shared something with the world, but in the end, I'd rather have you know ME, not some image of me that I want you to believe. If you write a life blog for yourself, as a journal, as a way to record your life, then you'd never embellish it, exaggerate things or happy-wash things just to make your readers think a certain way.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Random Thoughts of the Day
1. Schramsberg bubbly is yummy.
2. Jersey Shore is stupid. Why do I even turn it on for a second? It's the one when she gets punched in the head...ow.
3. I love this blog http://www.doyougetbutterflies.blogspot.com/ I need to get more style.
4. A weekend of mostly rollin' solo was good for me. Did I get a lot done at home? Of course not, but I did get caught up on Tough Love 2. Yeah, that's right.
5. I'm happy cinnamon hearts are out.
6. I wish I had a valentine.
7. Avatar was pretty cool. A tad long, Mr. Cameron, a tad long. And what's with the Celine Dion-sound-alike song? Annoying.
8. I officially haven't played Rockband for 7 days. What is going on here?
9. I really like my kickboxing gym. I'm happy I found one finally.
10. I hope I sell my couch.
2. Jersey Shore is stupid. Why do I even turn it on for a second? It's the one when she gets punched in the head...ow.
3. I love this blog http://www.doyougetbutterflies.blogspot.com/ I need to get more style.
4. A weekend of mostly rollin' solo was good for me. Did I get a lot done at home? Of course not, but I did get caught up on Tough Love 2. Yeah, that's right.
5. I'm happy cinnamon hearts are out.
6. I wish I had a valentine.
7. Avatar was pretty cool. A tad long, Mr. Cameron, a tad long. And what's with the Celine Dion-sound-alike song? Annoying.
8. I officially haven't played Rockband for 7 days. What is going on here?
9. I really like my kickboxing gym. I'm happy I found one finally.
10. I hope I sell my couch.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Hello 2010!
I've decided to make only one official New Year's resolution and then a couple things that should happen all the time, things that I want to be more conscious about.
New Year's Resolution: Eat fruits/vegetables every day. A friend told me this one and I think it's great. This is something that should be a given, considering my mom made the most balanced meals ever, but convenience trumps healthy meals much too often.
Ok I have another New Year's Resolution - GET ORGANIZED. This means the kitchen, the studio, the dining room, the closets, the nooks & crannies that make up my house, my office, my car. My mom lives by "a place for everything and everything in its place." I am adopting that this year - I want my house to be in order so that I can spend my time living and thinking about important things. I don't want to waste any more time looking for something, or letting an unorganized space weigh on me. I need to change my habits and this is as good of a year as any to do that.
(I do have a photography resolution...post one photo every day! It's much harder than I thought.)
Things to focus on: Be polite every day with everyone. Keep spending a lot of time with my family. Take more trips if financially doable. Smile.
I have decided to try a Before I Turn 32 list instead of official resolutions. It was fun to try to attempt these last year, but I didn't finish. Let's see if I can complete last year's, with some modifications.
1. Visit G and J in NY in 2010
Again....Send me ideas! Exactly FOUR months to go!
New Year's Resolution: Eat fruits/vegetables every day. A friend told me this one and I think it's great. This is something that should be a given, considering my mom made the most balanced meals ever, but convenience trumps healthy meals much too often.
Ok I have another New Year's Resolution - GET ORGANIZED. This means the kitchen, the studio, the dining room, the closets, the nooks & crannies that make up my house, my office, my car. My mom lives by "a place for everything and everything in its place." I am adopting that this year - I want my house to be in order so that I can spend my time living and thinking about important things. I don't want to waste any more time looking for something, or letting an unorganized space weigh on me. I need to change my habits and this is as good of a year as any to do that.
(I do have a photography resolution...post one photo every day! It's much harder than I thought.)
Things to focus on: Be polite every day with everyone. Keep spending a lot of time with my family. Take more trips if financially doable. Smile.
I have decided to try a Before I Turn 32 list instead of official resolutions. It was fun to try to attempt these last year, but I didn't finish. Let's see if I can complete last year's, with some modifications.
1. Visit G and J in NY in 2010
2. Visit M and B in Martha's Vineyard in 2010
3. Run/Walk the San Francisco Half Marathon
4. Try the remaining 27 flavors at Baskin Robbins
5. Take a picnic to the beach
6. Tahoe trip in WINTER
5. Take a picnic to the beach
6. Tahoe trip in WINTER
7. Rita's for karaoke - Have to do a repeat here!
8. Start my North Bay photography project
9. Volunteer for a day
10. Take another swing dance lesson
11. Find a kickboxing class I love - FOUND ONE! me + vallejo + kickboxing = hardcore.
12. See Citizen Kane and Gone with the Wind
12. See Citizen Kane and Gone with the Wind
13. Hike to the top of Mt. Tam
14. Continue to mail notes to friends/family more often.
15. Vegas trip - hopefully with K!14. Continue to mail notes to friends/family more often.
Again....Send me ideas! Exactly FOUR months to go!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The Pink House That Is Now Yellow & Brown
I have come to a conclusion. My neighbors, whose home used to be pink and is now yellow with brown trim (I know you're jealous), are a combination of peopleofwalmart.com and thereifixedit.com. I know you may be intrigued by this, and if you are, please come over and check out the disaster that is my neighbor's house.
Oh, and in case anyone is in need of a Cousin Eddie RV, let me know as there is one parked in front of said neighbors house and it's FOR SALE.
Oh, and in case anyone is in need of a Cousin Eddie RV, let me know as there is one parked in front of said neighbors house and it's FOR SALE.
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