Procrastination

I am blogging tonight because I am procrastinating. I have a task ahead that I am just dreading and what better way to avoid it. Even if it's only a few minutes. So naturally this makes me think about procrastination, why I do it and how.

Time for a list:

What makes me procrastinate?

1. The task seems too tedious. I am more of a big picture person.
2. The task seems too big and I don't know how to approach it or where to start.
3. The task just bores me. Writing a paper about the marketing challenges of Gillette, for example.

What I do instead of what I should be doing (avoidance techniques)

1. Clean
2. Google subjects that I wouldn't research if I weren't procrastinating
3. Post a blog (apparently)

So if your procrastinating, tell me what you do!

More of My Favorite Things

I found a new iced tea that I want to add to my favorite things list.  It is made by Rishi Tea and is called:

Organic Artisan Iced Tea

Classic Citrus

It's a bit expensive if you're used to buying the family sized Lipton or Louisanne family sized iced tea bags (it's $6.99 for 5 tea bags).  But it's a good treat.  The flavor of this black tea tastes naturally sweet and it very....herbal.  Sugar not even needed!  The box boasts that the citrus flavor actually comes from the essential oil of bergamot.  I wonder if I could make the Lipton taste like this if I bought some bergamot essential oil?

Friendship

Today I am reminded how important friendship is.  And I am not talking about superficial friendship.  I am not talking about the people I exchange pleasantries with.  I am talking about the type of friend who really knows me.  I am talking about the type of friend who goes through what I go through.  I am talking about the type of friend who hurts when I hurt, laughs when I laugh, cries when I cry.  A friendship like this requires a lot of history.  It requires years of getting to know eachother and building trust.  Friendships like this do not occur overnight.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I prefer to keep a few close friends rather than a handful of friends.  And I will tell you why.  Close relationships are just more rewarding, they are more real, they are emotional.  You can tell your true friends your secrets without judgment.  Acquitances and other non-close friends are nice too, but it feels....well....superficial.  And just very shallow.

And true friends, just KNOW exactly when to text or call.  It's almost as if we are somehow connected on a psychic level.  I guess my point of this post is just to say how much I appreciate my close friends.  Love you guys!!!

Connecticut

So I am in Connecticut for work this week.  Just got here tonight and here are a few things I notice immediately:

1.  The trees here are huge.
2.  Everything is lush and green.  You should see the hydrangeas and lilys!
3.  The houses here are soooo cute and have lots of character.  No two are the same.
4.  There are A LOT of houses for sale.
5.  The towns here are really small.  I went out to explore and ended up in a different town entirely and didn't even drive that long!
6.  The interstate highway I was on had a 55 mile per hour speed limit!  (No one drove that slow)
7.  Temps are nice....going from 100s to 80s is a treat!
8.  "Sweet tea" tastes more like lemonade with a dash of tea.

Thanks for having me Connecticut!

It's Just So Hot!

I love the heat, I really do.  Otherwise, I would not have made it through so many Texas summers.  Sometimes I daydream about moving up north where it gets cold and actually snows.  But it’s not the snow that is attractive, and it’s not the cold.  It’s the fact that indoors would be heated and really cozy.  And since I am indoors most of the time, having it cozy inside is really attractive.

In Austin, there’s only a short period of time when we actually turn on the heater or stoke a fire in the fireplace.  The rest of the time the A/C is blasting or simply turned off.  When it starts getting hot, businesses start blasting the A/C so that I am forced to where a sweater inside, even when it’s 100+ outside.  (For my non-Texan readers, it is quite common for triple digit temperatures.)

 

To sum up…I really love heat.

But lately the heat here has been unbearable.  And what’s worse is there seems to be no end in sight.  It’s not even officially summer yet!  Most of Texas is in severe draught right now.  We have had terrible wild fires, burn bans have been instituted and water usage has been limited.  Our lakes and rivers are drying up.  No fireworks for Austin on the 4^th!  Please let it rain soon!!!!

As you know I am a fan of lists.  So here is my list of “Must-haves to Survive a Texas Summer.”
         

1.  Iced tea.  I love sweet tea but unsweet is really better when you’re trying to quench your thirst on those long, hot summer days.

2.  Ceiling fans.  To be used in conjunction with an air conditioner.  You need more air circulation and ceiling fans are essential.

3.  Shade.  Exposed skin might melt right off if you get in a car with leather seats that’s been sitting in the sun all day.

4.  Water.  Needed for drinking, swimming in, running through, anything you like to do to cool off.

5.  Light clothing.  

Keep cool everyone!

Cactus Flower

Appreciation

I can't tell you how much I am enjoying my new job and how much I am loving the super casual work environment!  Plus the people are really great, too!  I was thinking this weekend that this is the first time in several years that I am feeling completely content at work.  Previously, I was either trying to move up or move out.  But here, I LIKE my job...I don't want a promotion (FOR NOW) and there is no way I would consider another job right now.  Here are the reasons I love my job:

1.  Appropriately challenging
2.  No overtime on a regular basis - I don't mind working overtime during critical periods, but I do not enjoy overtime every week!
3.  It allows me to have a LIFE!  This means I have time for reading, taking photos, writing poems, doing this blog, and spending time with my friends and family.  This is the BIG reason!
4.  No one micromanages me....whew.
5.  My managers make me feel appreciated.
6.  I get to travel a little

Dogs

On Sunday I realized the magnitude of my "dog-person"-ness. There are a couple of people in my neighborhood that I run into while they are walking their dogs.  The other day, I saw the guy with the reddish dog (don't know either of their names) and I say hi to the dog FIRST!

So for all you dog people who might be reading...here is a picture of Dude.  

To the guy with the red dog....next time I will talk to you first and learn your name.

A Poem

Yesterday I decided to write a poem.  But I didn't just want to write something that rhymed, I wanted to write something in an actual poetic format.  So I googled "types of poetry" and found a type called "minute poetry."  Minute poetry consists of three stanzas where the first line is 8 syllables and the second, third, and forth lines are 4 syllables each (8,4,4,4, 8,4,4,4 8,4,4,4).  Also lines 1and 2 rhyme, and lines 3 and 4 rhyme.  So the rhyme scheme is aabb, ccdd, eeff.  So here is my attempt at a minute poem:

Never forget the golden rule

When life is cruel

Things seem unfair

Going nowhere

Things happen that cause you to think

Missing the link

Just look inside

And you’ll know why

Remember you get what you give

Think this and live

You’re life will be

Loving, full,  free

Karma

A moral dilemma occurs when there are two or more options that could be considered "the right choice."  The classic example used in many of the ethics classes I have taken is:

If you were poor and your family was starving, would you steal bread from a rich man?

I can go into the different ethical theories in another post but basically it could be argued that stealing would be okay in this instance while others would say that stealing is wrong regardless of the circumstances.


Today I was faced with a moral dilemma and had a rare experience of getting instant karmic return.  What goes around comes around!  While we shouldn't do the right thing in expectation of a return, it sure was nice!  I guess I just wanted to post this to make someone think.  Pass on kindness and it will be returned, do the right thing and it will be returned ten fold! 

Whimsy in the Kitchen

I thought my husband was crazy when he selected this gem to add to our kitchen.  I had recently repainted the kitchen, taken down the old decor and I wanted to go for a more sophisticated, grown up look.  I tried to think of reasons why we shouldn't buy this.  I tried to convince him we didn't need it.  It didn't help.  But now, this sponge holder is one of my favorite things in the kitchen.  In fact, I am adding this to my list of favorite things.  

It just reminds me that a little bit of whimsy makes life interesting. 

 

We got this at Home Goods for $4.  What a deal!

Certainly beats our old red plastic one from the 70s!

A few of my favorite things

Without breaking into song and dance I wanted to share a few of my favorite things.  I don’t know why, but I have a fascination with making lists, so naturally I will do this in list fashion but with commentary, too.  I thought about doing it in likes/dislikes format but feel like focusing only on positive things today. 

You should also know that this list changes, it is by no means comprehensive, and it is not in any kind of order.

1.  Boots Hawaiian Islands Coconut & Hibiscus Body Butter – This lotion is really great.  It is very moisturizing and smells good all day long.  Personally, I don’t smell the hibiscus, only coconut.  Be careful though, it does make you want to go lounge on a beach somewhere!  There is also a body scrub that is good, too.

2.  Kiwi fruit – Most of the time you see kiwi fruit it is sliced up in fruit salads.  But if you want to just eat kiwi, peeling and slicing takes too much effort.  My dad taught me a convenient way to eat it if you don’t feel like peeling and slicing.  Just cut it in half then use a spoon to scoop out bites right out of the skin.  Thanks, dad!  Recently, a friend pointed out that you could instead cut it near one of the ends and use the scoop method the same way.  I just tried her method and found that it actually contains the juices and is therefore less messy to eat.  Thanks, Kristin!

3.  Hip hop music – For those of you who know me well, this is no surprise at all.  But there have been several occasions when people expressed surprise at finding out this fact about me.  I love most kinds of music, but hip hop is my favorite.  Hip hop makes me feel energized and can pick me up even when I am in the worst of moods.  I am that lady who gets stuck in traffic, car booming, singing and dancing while she waits.  I don’t care if people laugh at me!  Although, I would be kind of embarrassed if it was someone I knew!

 

4.  Coconut snow cones – Yes, there seems to be a theme.  I like coconut things.  My mom told me she craved Sonic slushes when she was pregnant with me, so I blame this one on her!  A few summers ago I think I got a coconut snow cone every day, but then I had to get a lot of dental work done…so that ended that.  I don’t get them very often now but when I do, I savor every moment!

5.  Text messages – Super convenient.  Enough said about that.

I invite you to tell me a few of your favorite things.

Farmer's Market

Today we went to the Sunset Valley Farmer's Market.  We ended up getting fresh homemade pasta, bison jerky, pickled okra, spring salad mix, carrots, and a sourdough baguette.  Yummy!  I found some great photo opportunities at the market and have posted them here. 

Here is a picture of purple cabbage.  We didn't buy any of these, I just thought they were pretty.

There were lots of really good looking onions there.

The bread vendor was a french guy who had been baking bread for 16 years in 8 different countries.  Love bread!

 The vendor we bought pickled okra from also sold pickles and salsas. 

We also bought a couple of plants.  A lavender plant and a Texas star hibiscus.

All in all, it was a good trip to the Farmer's Market.  And the weather was really nice, too.  Thanks to all the folks who make this particular market possible!

Flip Flops

Today I wore flip flops to work.  Flip Flops!  And I have worn blue jeans 3 out of 4 days!  And it's completely acceptable at my new job.  It is so exciting to work for a company who will take me as I am!

It inspired a poem....

Flip Flops

As I slip you on to try you out

I am comforted by the flopping sound

And I consider how lucky I am

And know my life is no longer bound

Texas Wildflowers

Spring is in full force in Austin.  Well....it was last Sunday when I decided to go take pictures of the wildflowers, but now it feels like summer is already here.  So much for spring....

These photos were all taken on Loop 360, one of the prettiest drives in Austin. 

Changes

Today was my last day at my current job.  I am moving on to bigger and better opportunities.  The team was super supportive of my move.  They took me out to lunch at Cheesecake Factory then in the afternoon, we had some of my favorite treats and I received a couple of really nice cards.  There were a few cupcakes left and the team graciously let me take them home.

These cupcakes are from Lick It Bite It Or Both.  A wonderfully unique Austin place that serves cupcakes and ice cream.  I highly recommend the Red Velvet Cake cupcake!  Lick It Bite It Or Both....I will miss you....it will be a long drive up north for me to go to your store....maybe you will consider a South location?!

My departure is bitter/sweet.  I am really excited about my new job, about learning new things and meeting new people.  But I will miss people at my old job.  I have really bonded with people there and have had really good experiences.  Admittedly, change is really scary.  Even if it is a much needed change.

Austin is Awesome!

I am constantly reminded of what a cool city I live in.  There is so much to do and see here.  My husband and I have met several famous people by attending events.  Our favorite events occur at the Paramount Theater or its sister, State Theater.

Here is a picture of Kevin Smith, who frequents Austin to premier his movies.  We caught him in the alley behind the Paramount after the Jersey Girl premier.

We have also met Kevin's wifey, Jennifer Schwalbach Smith.  Here is a pic of me with her at the Zack and Miri Make a Porno premier.

We also met Scott Mosier at the Zack and Miri premier. Scott is a big part in the success of Kevin's movies.  And he is a hoot to listen to on Smodcast.

 

Probably the most famous person we have met is Mike Judge.  Here is a picture of him signing my Office Space DVD.  This was at the 10 year anniversary of Office Space and most of the cast was there.  I also got an autograph from Gary Cole.

 

Most recently, we met Christopher Titus.  We sat front row at his stand up comedy show, Neverlution.

 

This is only the tip of the iceberg...if you're into bluegrass music, I could add several more pictures here.  Couldn't ask for a cooler place to live!

Giving this a shot....

I have a couple of friends with blogs.  I read them to keep up with what's going on.  And every time I think, "this is really cool....I want to do one."  I think blogs are an excellent way to express creativity.

What has held me back is simply not knowing....not knowing how to create a blog and not knowing what to blog about.  So I decided these are no longer valid excuses.  While I still don't know how to create a blog, or what to blog about, I am confident it will come to me. 

So here we go...I am giving this a shot...let's see what happens.