Fun

This is post # 400 for me. 400! Holy moses! I guess time really does fly when you're having fun. 

Ever notice that most of the time adults look like they're not having a bit fun? I mean- kids have it down pat. They run, they laugh, they play- all without a care in the world about what's going on around them. Why are kids smarter than us adults? At what point is it so uncool for grown-ups to laugh out loud, run and play or joke with someone that we just stop or give up? 

I was fortunate enough over Thanksgiving weekend to spend time with fun people. I mean really fun, act like idiots, just don't give a damn what anyone thinks- friends and family. Sitting with my grandparents who are almost 80 years young yesterday morning for breakfast, I was laughing out loud having a blast talking about absolutely nothing important, just loving the moment. All I could think of was, wouldn't the world be even better with a few more people in it like my happy, smiley, loving, portly grandparents. They're just doing their thing, not hurting a soul and completely not giving a damn about anything other than enjoying life. 

Genius.

How appropriate that I happened to spot this sign yesterday too.

Lets have some fun people. Act like kids. Or maybe I should say; If you are a fuddy-dutty and don't want to have fun on a daily basis- please stay away; You're cramping my giggling, everything is possible and oh you better bet your ass I am going to get it - style. You can go find Debbie Downer, She wants to hang out. I don't.

I'm So Glad I Suck At Reality

I'm going to be that annoying person and keep posting quotes, lines and other babble here from a book that I want to eat I'm so in love with right now; The 4-Hour Workweek. I typically underline words/lines I think are interesting or fantastic as I read. I've practically underlined this entire book. Here's one for you today:

"Does your life have a purpose? Are you contributing anything useful to this world, or just shuffling papers, banging on a keyboard, and coming home to a drunken existence on the weekends?

Yeah, I know. 

Are you suddenly thinking; For the love of god are you really going to make me think about this?! If I do, I might want to make some big changes in my life and god knows shaking things up like that is just "unrealistic", scary as hell and I might- gasp!- make people think I'm crazy...

Jesus. Thanks Di. 

Ahh...you're welcome. Isn't it great? Hey, don't shoot the messenger. I'm just hanging out on this Blue Lollipop Road of life doing things like passing on words from other people so I constantly keep myself in check too. 

There's another part in the book that the author Timothy Ferriss writes that his high school admissions counselor told him to be more "realistic" to which he concluded he was just not good at reality. Me either Tim! Wahoo for that! I guess neither of us would've learned to start contributing anything useful to the world if we'd ever been very realistic. Thank goodness we don't listen very well to some people either.

Here's to being unrealistic, asking questions and shaking things up.

Who Wakes You Up?

I'm very excited to report that I get to hang out with a fellow coffee-lover as he finishes up his roasting session Tuesday this coming week. I've only spent a small amount of time with him in the past, but when I learned of his project; Origin a couple months ago I was excited to contact and congratulate him. I was instantly intrigued about his project. That with combination of his happy and genuine personality and two of my favorite things; Coffee and stories about where things/people come from, it was a no-brainer I'd find a way to catch up with him sooner than later to learn all about what he's been up to.

Check out Drink Up Give Back and read about what Tom is doing. He started out as a barista some years ago. It's neat to see how his love for the delicious brew has progressed. How cool is it that his organization is improving "...the quality of life for the farmers who wake us up every day." Just like in a lot of our daily routine, I'm sure most of us don't even think about the story behind how the delicious cup of java gets into our hands. Tom is helping tell the stories.

It thrills me to meet, read about or spend time with anyone who is living their passion/following their dreams in general- no matter what the subject. Even better when that person is giving back or doing good. The energy poured out into the world from someone who completely grabs the thing they love or believes in- and runs with it, is totally inspiring. 

Tom- you are one of these people. I'm looking forward to our time together!

Everyone else- I'll report back soon on my time with Tom. I'm sure I'll have some fantastic stuff to share!

My Version Of Thanksgiving Leftovers...

...for breakfast, with coffee.

Chocolate fudge. Oh yeah. 

Notice the available bananas in the background. 

Poor neglected bananas.

So Thankful for this Year

Yeah. There aren't enough hours to even begin typing why, so I'll leave it at that.

Thanks 2009. I've never had my ass handed to me like you have this year and I've never been happier either. (Crazy how that works.)

HAPPY FEASTING!

There's No Place Like Home

What am I thankful for during the holidays this year? Oh so many things but to just scratch the surface for what I was able to do today:

*Stuff my face for breakfast with my family at this place. (My favorite diner in the country that I've written about before of course.) 

*Relax and work, not from a cubicle but in this fabulous little coffee shop.

*Have dinner with an elementary school friend at this gorgeous spot. (Yes it really looks like this. I know, it is indeed like a postcard. Exactly what you'd expect. About 3 doors down from tonight's dinner spot is the Norman Rockwell museum. How so Vermont. 

I love snapping photos like these and acting like a tourist where I grew up. Somehow it just never gets old. Funny how all you can think about when you're a kid growing up in a small town is how the heck to get out of there because- "ugh- it is sooo boring." Then when you're old enough to know better, you realize that boring small place was actually pretty perfect, totally charming and that you can't wait to go back.

Up And Atem!

I snapped this shot at a Caribou coffee in the airport. (Hey- I think it's funny:) Shortly after taking this photo I got on my plane where I couldn't stop giggling with the lady next to me because the guy behind us was snoring so loud it could've moved a mountain. (This guy was snoozing away before the cabin door was even closed!) Next up was the lady next to me grabbing my leg and hand as we took off because she was deathly afraid of flying, and finally out of nowhere this little voice starts belting out tunes. Beat It was her first song. Word for word. What a nice tribute to MJ from a kid thought- as I turned around to stare straight at the most adorable little munchkin singing away. She could not have been more than 4 years old. Too cute.

All of this above before 6:15am this morning.

Who says getting up at 3:30am and traveling during the holidays is a hassle and no fun? Love this stuff. I'm actually considering asking Jet Blue if I can live on these comfy couches here at the brand spanking new JFK terminal. Talk about never be bored...

You Got That Dress For How Much?

Have something fancy-schmancy to go to? Feel like looking sassy or smoking-hot for someone? Your bank account not as fat-daddy as it used to be? Think it's crazy to spend hundreds on a dress you might only wear one time?

Yep. Me too. Me too. Me too. Me too.

Here you can rent the runway for $50-$200. This means you can pick a dress of your dreams in your size, have it mailed to your house, wear it to any place, soiree, "thing" your little heart desires, toss it back into the included dry cleaning bag and send it right on back only spending a fraction to rent it instead of buying it.

Brilliant and perfect timing for that upcoming holiday party.

No matter what kind of girl you are (even if you are rolling in the dough) this is just a smart alternative to packing yet another LBD into your closet to collect dust. How else are you going to be able to wear that uber-pricey gorgeous designer get-up you've been dreaming of for cheaper than this? Bonus; consider it environmentally conscious! Several fashion-loving gals get use out of one dress. Less material used. Less waste. Love that.

Rent it, wear it, and shake your groove-thang.

One Year Ago Today...

...I stepped off a plane in Delhi India to see "Namaste" painted across the airport wall. 

This is the photo of a little girl touching her lips and scratching at the window begging for food. It was the first scene and shot I saw on the taxi ride from the airport. Soon there after at our first stop- yep, that elephant walked by.

Lets just say this was the beginning of quite an adventure. Nothing says Thanksgiving week like the Taj Mahal, being fitted for my very own Sari and stuffing my face full of naan.

Wow. What a difference a year makes.

I'm In Love With A Guy Named Max Brenner

No, he doesn't know. I haven't had a chance to tell him yet. 

I've written about his NYC store before and how I look forward to the day I will walk in and get my very own Hug Mug of hot cocoa. Recently I ran across a book of his called Chocolate: A love story. Between that title and what he's put on the first page of this read, I'm convinced he is the man for me. (In case you can't read it clearly, it says; It is so simple, you just need to really love CHOCOLATE.)

Sigh. The man of my dreams.

Dear Max,

Will you marry me? :)

Spread Hope

December 7th. Leaders from 192 countries will gather in Copenhagen to help solve our climate crisis. 

Hopenhagen.

Sign the petition here. Change powered by all of us. We CAN build a better future for our planet and a more sustainable way of life. Jump on the bandwagon with me and spread the word.

OOh! Pick Me!

It's so fabulous when a reader/follower from here (whom I still have never met but we have become quite good pals after many months via email. Love modern technology.) sends me a link to Yokmok to try to hook me up with some free travel. Thanks G! I'm emailing them and pitching why they should sent me on some random walkabout adventure so I can write about it. I figure that eventually after sending emails, making calls, etc. to these cool and interesting companies telling them I'd be happy to scrub their toilets, carry someone else's luggage or dance naked on the street to be able to write this for a living, travel, interview people, etc.- someone will scoop me me up and take me in. If not I'll keep trekking and figure it out on my own, then maybe someday they'll be asking me for a job.

A thought just popped in my head about how I got one of the most excellent jobs I've had thus far. I waited on a bunch of the management team for this company lunch during one of my uber-glamourous restaurant jobs. As soon as I saw they worked for Red Bull I blurted out (exact quote); "When the hell are you Red Bull people going to smarten up and give me a job anyway?" I had never even met them before.

I got a job that afternoon, and worked for them for 3 years.

So I didn't beat out thousands to become Ms. America, qualify for the Olympics or make a million bucks but I did beat out 65 people to score the awesomely-fun job. How? By not keeping my mouth shut. I didn't do anything special, just clearly stated what I wanted. Never hurts to ask, or in this case- lightly demand...

Quiet women (or men) rarely make history right?

The 4-Hour Work Workweek

"What does an igloo dwelling millionaire do that a cubicle dweller doesn't? Follow an uncommon set of rules."

"What is the pot of gold that justifies spending the best years of your life hoping for happiness in the last?" 

Hmm. There are a couple things for you to think about today.

Well Halle-freakin-lujah!

Yep. It says Sea Gate Community Chapel. 

I was zoning out driving tonight and passed this sign. I almost swerved off the road, I said "oh hell yes!"- out loud to myself, and U-turned as if I was on a NASCAR track. I was absolutely thrilled I'd be posting this photo here. I'm not even gay and I'm amazed at how one little sign like this could make me feel hugely victorious. 

This is dedicated to my incredible little brother and anyone else out there who has ever been told it was. 

We love you.

Treats Found At The Dollar Store

Gross.