So I work with an amazing company as a part of my new role and I kid you not, they have a llama mascot. This Llama emails us new ideas, course, features, you know, helpful work stuff. Why does this matter? Well, because I used to sing 'Me and my llama, going to the dentist today' from Sesame Street (oh yes, I included it for your viewing enjoyment) and I like llamas.
Enjoy adult types - and don't forget to take your llamas to the dentist, they have teeth too.
It just occurred to me, this company I work with is a learning platform (a very general description) and I learned a lot from Sesame Street - coincidence? I am sure not! Oh, and here's to Big Bird & Oscar the Grouch...live on fun friends!
My latest trip takes me quite literally around the world. After a whirlwind month, I am in Thailand to end my travels. Thailand, a country of mystery, and specifically Bangkok, a beautiful city where the hotel staff tells me not to walk half a mile myself to a park just in case.
After a day of working in my room and the rooftop garden on a low roof of the hotel, as well as meeting coworkers for a break, I find myself in my room looking out the window. Who cares? Well, I do. As I stare out I notice others doing the same. Can we see each other? Of course. Do we actually notice each other? Well, I do. I see people staring out the window on the phone, someone dancing to what I can only imagine is a happy dance due to a great day, someone with a glass of wine lost in thought. As I sit with my glass of champagne, the Villanova versus Georgetown game on the TV and my laptop on the table I can't help but think that this day brings so many different things for different people.
Some people are here for fun, to enjoy the beautiful temples and parks. Others are here for work and might never make it out of the hotel for anything other than a late night drink or dinner. I am more towards the latter but that doesn't make me appreciate the city any less.
I know how lucky I am, despite the long travels in coach, the working time zones for both sides of the world, the jet lag, everything else business travel brings to the table. I am lucky to be someone that is in the window with a glass of champagne, the Villanova versus Georgetown game on the TV and my laptop on the table. I only hope that the people I see in their windows see me and imagine their own stories that bring them a smile as I am certainly smiling for them.
Today Spring rewarded our fair little city with freezing temperatures. Yes, I know, some of you got snow. I live in Texas, if we got snow in April there might be mutiny and the city might shut down for a week just because they are angry. Freezing temps in April after a 70 degree day; it got me thinking about curve balls and how this is Mother Nature's curve ball. A silly little one that is easy to hit out of the park with a polar fleece and cute scarf.
I moved most of my childhood life. For most of it, I was too young to realize that everyone didn't move as much as we did. I remember moving from KY and being very sad; I remember being sad and angry every move after that. I have blogged how mom would sing Run for the Roses. I remember thinking that 'maybe this time we are staying put - we aren't going to move.' until my parents would tell us were moving to next state. Tears would ensue, and not just from me as I remember crying with mom more than once - a moving curve ball. One I hit with a song, new friends and a new address.
It is April 15th, and a year ago we mourned a terrorist attack on the Boston Marathon. If you have read this blog at all, you know that I am a runner, a late blooming runner who usually enjoys the scenery than the speed, but a runner nonetheless. I was watching the Boston Marathon last year and cheering for the victors. Then, a short time later I got a text from my mom that someone had bombed the Boston Marathon. I knew people (via Facebook so no, I have never shook their hand or hugged them but I still consider them a part of the running team) running the marathon. I knew people who had families up there cheering and all we knew was something had happened and people where hurt. I blogged about it two separate times (here and here). A curve ball - a much more serious curve ball than freezing temps or moving to be sure, but a curve ball for all of us. A hard, fast curve ball. Monday we will hit that curve out of the park with the 2014 Boston Marathon and between now and then, many of us will be running in honor of last year's event. Nothing will stop us.
All of those are examples, albeit ranging in severity, of curve balls that aren't the most positive of experiences but we hit them. I hit them - begrudgingly and after striking out first perhaps - but I hit them. (Yes, I know the cold & moving are NOTHING compared to Boston and I am not trying to compare them but it was a curve ball for all of us.)
What about good curves? Sweet spot curve balls? Well heck, I have plenty of those, they are home runs.
New job with new responsibilities that open doors and allow me to meet new friends (from their spouse no less)
New schools that led to life long friends (I sense a trend...)
Going grey at 18 that led me to have fun with various shades of brown (this brunette does have more fun with friends...)
Unhealthy check-up resulting in boot camps and running leading to amazing new friends (there is that friend trend again...)
Being single again, resulting in going solo to an auction and meeting the Big Guy (ooo - love)
The kiddo - greatest home run of my life
Moral of this disconnected blog? Don't hate the curve ball, find a way to hit it out of the park even if it takes time or tears (or yelling, or punching of a heavy bag) first. Jackie Robinson didn't shy from the curve - step into the box and hit that curve.
Last night ended with the kiddo dancing around the house thanking the 'Sweet Lord Baby Jesus' because school was cancelled for today. I have mentioned before, we are a boy house and, to that end, you never quite know what situation the day might bring. It is always entertaining to be sure and last night was no exception.
He then went on to explain the four people who determine how school is cancelled and how the story is that if one of the assistant principals cannot walk over a bridge at his house without slipping, school would be cancelled. This is one of those stories that no one really knows if it is the truth or not - he went on to explain - but the boys all live by it. I wonder if any pour water on that bridge...nevermind.
Moving on, it got me thinking, what other things do I do that aren't based in truth yet I believe over the years for one reason or another.
1. I always lift my feet when going over railroad tracks (in a vehicle, I don't actually jump over them when walking or running, that would result in me falling and I need no additional reasons to trip and fall, thanks. Big Joy told me that it was good luck one year and it stuck, I am sure she laughs at me from heaven every time as I drive over them no less than four times a day)
2. I throw salt over my shoulder when I spill it (much to the chagrin of anyone who has to clean it up after me when I forget I am no where near a sink - thanks Bill)
3. I always touch the outside of the plane with my right hand before getting on it (no idea - but I don't mess with it)
4. I wear my sunglasses on my Hot Chocolate hat when I run even if I don't need them (yup, night time runs too)
5. I ask God to bless everyone and everything in the world before I go to bed each night (don't want to leave anyone or anything out)
I am sure the list continues and it was fun to be thinking about it as I drove in this morning, over the railroad tracks, with my feet lifted up. What do you do? Let's have some fun on Friday...list them!
I am not from Texas, but I have lived here longer than any other place in my life. My son is born and raised here; my boyfriend and his son are as well. Maybe it is in the Texas blood, to be born knowing intrinsically what Friday Night Lights are...
I went to high school in Virginia and Ohio. I don't think I ever paid for a football game, and I know we didn't have reserved seats or turf fields (and yes, I acknowledge that it might be different now). I remember them being a place to hang out with your friends. To get away from your parents for a little while in a safe place. I am a big school spirit person so I was there to cheer on our teams too. And while the latter is still true here in Texas, there are things that are different.
We have season tickets with parking passes to the games. They are awesome seats - 50 yard line, no one in front of us, season tickets. At this school, as previous posts mentioned, the history is so ingrained that I think there were as many adults without kids at the school anymore as there were with kids still there.
I remember the old bleachers and grassy fields, but these stadiums are new and big and shiny (the public schools are even more so) with real seats. And yes, they are turf - no grass here.
Everyone is at this game, everyone knows that during football season, this is where you are on Friday nights. To me, who didn't grow up with it, it is amazing to watch the community be all about this one normal Friday night game...and to be that way every week.
What's my point? Well, simply that it is a new world that my son will be going into - be it at this particular high school or one of the other catholic schools, it's a new world that he seems to slide right into without fail. I have been to a few games before, but now? It seems so much more real...and I think I finally understand what people mean by Friday Night Lights.
PS: The Rangers won by 1 point (not 1 touchdown, 1 point) and yes, I was screaming as much as the next person in the 100+ degree heat.
I am on this workout and eating healthy kick that I truly hope becomes more of a way of life than a passing phase (and I have passed the 21 day mark so it stands a chance).
I get up very early and work out with a group of similar crazy people in a boot camp, we are those people you see in parking lots (or parking garages if it is below freezing or raining) before dawn or after work sweating as a team doing things we used to think of as fun in PE. Ah - the ignorance of youth...
Normally I am a heels girl, I am short and therefore like the height, like the way it makes my legs work and it helps with eye level (let's be honest, I like feeling eye to eye with others). What the heck does that have to do with the work out kick? Today I am in flatter than flat shoes because I am pretty sure that my calves would rage up and kill me if I tried to elevate them all day.
It's all about the comfort today - do something to make yourself comfortable and share it with others...you never know what effect it might have. You might just be the comfort they need:)
There is no excuse for not blogging since November, I mean you all know I always have something to say!!!
It's February now, holidays and birthdays flew by at warp speed as they have the tendency to do. Lots of fun had of course with family and friends. Basketball season has come, and as of this weekend, will be gone. Of course then baseball starts...moving on.
I took a new job (same company) and was told I would have to author 6 blog entries on my own for our corp blog that I helped create. One would think that this would be second nature to me seeing as I have been writing blog entries for years for other people (along with books, articles, speeches, you name it) but comfort was not the feeling I had. Fear. Fear sums it up nicely. Intimidation does as well.
I am a writer, never without something to say or thoughts to share - be they relevant or not. But when faced with the challenge of writing on a given topic where my name will own the byline? Well, then I start shaking in my very stylish 4 inch heels.
What is your unexpected fear? What is that one thing that should in no way intimidate you yet has you shaking in your stylish pumps my friends?
Too many people today have earned the following infamous dog look of "What in the heck is your problem? You are kidding, right? I am not amused but nice try."
Had another tour of our 'experience' today for local college kids who might want to work in IT someday. The tour ends with a presentation from one of our top technical talent about what they do and how to be a success.
I am pretty sure I talked about this before, but back in my day (yes I am being an old foagy) you dressed up, or at least business casual for these things. These are potential employers and you are given the opportunity to see things that the average student is not.
Tell me the level of self ego allows you to show up in athletic shorts and a t-shirt? Anyone?
I don't like that word - I actually don't think it is a word and certainly doesn't invoke relaxation in my mind. But to each her own.
What calms me down is music, and not any type of music in particular just music. More precisely, lyrics. I can not like the singer, think they have no vocal talent whatsoever but the lyrics, that is what speaks to me.
For example, right now I am stuck on the following from a terrible joke of an artist:
Hey, slow it down. What do you want from me? What do you want from me? Yeah, I am afraid. What do you want from me? What do you want from me?
How many times have you wanted to go out and SCREAM that at the top of your lungs? Instead, I open the sun roof, roll down the windows and sing it at the top of my lungs.
And blogging stopped abruptly after what must have been a Cat 4 day.
Wow - spring, it has been that long. FB has really taken off and, while I swore I would never participate I am full on involved now. Even to the point where I exchange fun little quips with the parents via our 'walls'. Twitter is still lost on me, I have to do it for work, but at home? Who really needs to have a minute by minute accounting and would we really want everyone to know? Uh, thank you, no.
Listening to the ipod and The Best is Yet to Come just starting gracing my ears, good time to hear that song. It is still songs that can trigger memories (good or bad, happy or sad) but for some reason, this one is always a happy one. Despite the fact that it does bring back a night watching the beautiful fountains and thinking about all that my future held.
Well kids, the future can hold so very much more now and here I go into it, like a Cat 4 storm.
Was out with the girls tonight. Typical night of wine and food without the husbands (theirs) and kids (ours) and realized something.
No one called to do anything in July because they assumed I was busy with my boyfriend (I am the only single one), and decided that I wouldn't come anyway. Yet, that wasn't the case at all - and I would have if life wasn't so busy and I didn't become a workaholic when the kiddo was away.
I just wonder how often we miss out on great friends, and therefore, relationship moments when we don't just pick up the phone. It all goes both ways.
As I said today on the bulletin board of today (FB) - smile at someone, you just might make a day for someone down the road. Maybe that smile is over the phone...
There are times when you just want to answer the phone:
"I am in the middle my own work, not the crisis of yours and therefore aren't really motivated to help. Unless you want to be told where to go with your 'fire', stop calling".
"Uh, yeah. That's some Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink virginal. Damn. How is it not burning your eyes out?" (Don't touch the virginal comment, it's just WAY to easy)
"Just put a pink boa and run with it!" (And yes, I will probably do just that tonight as I have no time to do anything else!)
"So, with the whiter than paper pale skin, she thought that was a good idea?!?" (I get it, time to start tanning.)
"Well hello 1984..." (I think I need to put lime green with it a celebrate the 80s. I don't even think this person was alive in 84 by the way.)
More to come I am sure...
UPDATE: I got to go home and change in to Pretty in Pink shoes, go to the event, then paint a sheer coat of Curtain Call over the top and it is now a pale pink. Perfect. :-)
A lot of people are looking for employment right now. I am actually hiring two interns and have received no less than 200 resumes for each.
In a past life, I was a recruiter, so I know how to scan a resume quickly and screen calls for the best candidates. I also have a very short tolerance level for those who contact me AFTER I set up an interview about what the position is after I have already told them and they APPLIED THE FIRST GO ROUND. I have already told two people not to come in for their interview as they are not able to follow simple instructions. Don't even get me started on the one who told me, after they were here, "Well, yes I was not completely honest and do need visa sponsorship..."?!?!?!
My current intern found a job which adds extra pressure, but all the same, I know there are good students out there. SEND THEM TO ME JOB FAIRIES!!!
PS: Candidates, if you call me 4 times on Friday and once over the weekend, do not think for a second I am going to hire you. I am going to have my current intern interview you and then let you go. Seriously.
