X-TRA MOTIVATION

Some people do New Year's resolutions, some don't, and some people choose the same one every year.  Why New Years?  It's simple... it's X-tra Motivation.  It's a clean start, a fresh new look at a fresh new year.  It's why people always start diets on a Monday (see Monday for President post). 

I encourage anyone who reads this to have three New Years Resolutions.  One big one, and two things to make a conscious effort in "working on".  If there is nothing you want to change, then you must be perfect (Practice Makes Perfect? and Dangerously Perfect) Two recent posts, have shown us, there is no perfect, so please get off your high horse and think of those things that you'd like to improve about you.  Is it your patience, your trucker mouth, how many times a week you go to the gym, your expensive and less appealing ciggy habit, your lack of a hobby, your efforts to see more family, an increasing urge to want to volunteer somewhere, a focus on a new career, there's got to be something.  These things aren't huge, but when placed as a focus in your mind and the X-tra Motivation of a New Year and a better you... I'm sure you will see some sort of change. 

I have three and they are all going to be really challenging for me, but I love a challenge! Especially when there is a prize to be won. The prize you ask?  A better life lived...I can't think of something more rewarding than that.  It all might sound a little corny, but when is the last time you really stream-lined your focus of you on one or two things and had the X-treme Motivation of a New Year to back you up. Last year?  Well it's about time you tee up my friend...

Welcoming 2011 with open arms....

DANGEROUSLY PERFECT by Bobby Scott

B. Perfect...


So I hope everyone had and amazing Holiday... I know I did!!! Also can't wait to celebrate this year to come! Its going to be great... hope its good to everyone!!!

So what is wrong with you!?!?!! Why aren't you perfect?? That's how many people feel in the world we live in! Did anyone see "Black Swan."? This movie was absolutely right on! I'm not going to spill on the movie, but it takes a young girl, who has to experience with sex, drugs, and loses herself to get a part in a ballet! She honestly was a beautiful girl before... and even after she was a beautiful girl! She just needed to learn to live with some "chance in her life". At the end of the movie... she was alil more social and comfortable with herself... or her "new self". But she also was so caught up in everything that she ended her life.... "Dangerously Perfect"

The point I would like to make is that "perfect" is a fixation of some one's imagination... and if you have time to rustle up what is perfect- then you my friend are not living life? Life was created to make us all the same... Being creative, individual, different... is what makes you... well you! You are beautiful... There nothing wrong with trying to meet the challenge or perfection... but know life should be fun and if you are getting frustrated with life... you might be trying to conform! HA I mean not everyone can be perfect like me... Bobby Scott!! :) Kidding!!!!!! I have many imperfections... and I like them... they make me! Yes I can work on them... and I am... you can't wish to be perfect!! You will be wishing a long time!!!! So get out of the god damn clouds... go engage with some people and network yourself!!! LIVE!

"You have to be interested and engaged, or no one will care"

So want more in your life? Give more back.

The principal works in every aspect of your life - family, friends, business and social. Getting engaged with others, giving something of yourself in the process, is what attracts others to you. This last sentence does get me in trouble sometimes... I like to show alot of attention to ALOT of people. I have alot of friends!!! And sometimes friends don't like to share!? People become interested in you because of the sincere interest you show to them. Your magnetism is much less a matter of appearances or social standing, and much more a matter of your intent and willingness to be real. No one wants to hang around a Barbie or Ken all day... people need substance...

Take the risk, stay real, and show you care.

Top 10 Friday: MY AWESOME XMAS LIST

If I could get everything I asked for, here is a list of what I would want tomorrow. Some of these are ridiculous, but I don't care, it's what I want....some of them are what I wish for all year long. I've been a pretty good doobie this year and I see no reason to expect these under my tree tomorrow morning.

10.  A separate lane for me to drive in...it does not have to be limited to highways...I just have an extreme amount of hate for ignorant drivers and life would be good if this were the case.  I would have my own "driver's test" for others to have a pass to use this lane as well...because I'm not greedy.

9.  For Michael Vick to never, ever ever get a dog, and to be able to play ball, but only be paid in dog shit,
     literally.

8.  For Bobby Scott to come do my hair every morning... ;)

7.  Ryan Reynolds...just a bow will do, no need to wrap him.

6.  For people who are starting the gym for New Years to only be allowed to go between the hours of 10am
     and 4pm.

5.  To be on the following shows: Family Feud, Price is Right, and Supermarket Sweep.

4. A diamond for my best friend...not from me...not from Santa, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. ;)



3.  A vodka that burns calories, no hangover effect, motivates me to workout after a night of drinking it and
     has a healthy vitamin in it that makes me tan.  Dammit Snooki...Invent it.

2. A maid...that will work for high fives.

1.  Of course for a healthy, happy, jolly holly, spectacular Christmas for all my friends, family, you, and pretty
     much everyone. 

Merry Christmas!

"THE" Present

Short blog today with a question, that I'd kind of like people to respond to in the comments, because I"m genuinely interested.  There's a part of Christmas, whether you enjoy the holiday or are out having cocktail with Scrooge and the Grinch, that brings out the kid in everyone.  Who doesn't enjoy opening a gift?  I'm willing to bet that if you received a gift from the big guy in the red suit this year, and you legit didn't know who it was from, you would have a smile on your face, ear to freakin ear, just like back in the day.  Something is to be said for the fact that even if you were a little naughty throughout the year, Santa always came, and you were always on your best behavior when you thought he was watching.

Now for the question...  A co-worker asked our team the other day.... WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER?   That's a tough one, for me it was anyways.  Some people knew right off the bat...I had to actually think about it. Was it something I was jacked up about as a kid, or was it a recent one that I still have and use.  How do you pick?  So...Fellow Bitches...What was Yours?

GOOD FOR YOU - by Bobby Scott

Being in the Christmas Cheer!


But as we all know its 3 days until Christmas Day!!! Crunch time for most... which kills me!? We know this god damn day is coming for a year! EVERY YEAR!!!! There is so many people that come into my salon and are behind schedule?! WTF?! First we could actually enjoy the holiday for what it's for... and second we could save a buck!! Also with online purchase's now, there really is no excuse! So pull it together people!!!!

As for the real focus of this blog is that within this year (and boy was it a crazy year!) I have noticed that people can not... with out hesitation let the words " GOOD FOR YOU!" leave there lips! I've noticed this with some people while opening my business. They were kinda surprised? Asked why? Why the question...? What is it to this person or group what Im doing with my life? You - people are number one on this earth! Don't forget that! As long as you aren't cocky or arrogant about your accomplishments you are in the safe zone! Be happy for yourself! Celebrate!!! But celebrating only last a couple of days, maybe a week... or comes once a year... After that Shut up and get to work!

But really its been hard for people to feel good about saying those words. One of the sanest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others.

We're human - we get caught up in envy, we aren't always kind about the achievements of others. Whether its financial, personal, or physical gain! And that's partly because the good fortune of others can remind us that we have further to go on our journey; can awaken in us memories of a past loss or failure. And we react - negatively. Why? Why must we try to bring someone down when they are up high... we all know that the high will soon settle. It might be long or it might be short. But know that it doesn't usually last forever! How do we like it when its done to us? Not a good feeling... huh?

But we have a choice. We can choose an attitude of jealousy and bitterness. Or we can release ourselves from envy and anger, and realize that rising tides tend to raise all boats, that the good fortune of others often leads, or prompts us, to our own good fortune. Which brings me to the point of who you should be surrounding yourself with! Its your group of friends that are seeking and receiving all the achievements! Right? You are bound to me next! Putting yourself in touch with people who learn and know how to exert that positive energy are the best people to be around! So you can choose! Choose to embrace the positive, and release the negative. (What I do now is take my two hands and throw them forward in front of me... letting the negativity out! Goodbye! Ciao Ciao! Choose to live in a world of possibility.

So say right now "GOOD FOR YOU!" aloud... for reading this blog again ha-ha... but then go say it to someone you know deserves it... respect that they deserve it and mean it! Own it!!

Wishing everyone a "GOOD FOR YOU!" HOLIDAY SEASON... and maybe if you put "your positive" out there... Santa will bring you just what you hoped for...

Just B.
 

TOP 10 FRIDAY: The Bitch Sesh First 10 Commandments

There are some things that some people are not aware of or have gotten rather out of control.  I can't help but notice more and more of them lately and it needs to stop.  These are my first 10, maybe there will be another 10 another Friday, maybe there won't be.  This might piss some of you off...I wont be able to apologize OR give you back these precious 2 minutes you've wasted reading this.  I can't please everyone, and you're more than welcome to "bitch' about it.  Please...feel free to add suggestions in the comments.    Think of it as a "Tell em Why You Mad" !

10.  Dear CVS, Wal-mart, Walgreens, Rite-Aid Pharmacy workers... you are most likely being paid over $60,000 to fill a prescription and type some insurance shit into a computer, please spare me the attitude when I'm picking up my prescription, EVERY TIME I pick it up.  Most likely I'm sick so if you think I don't have anywhere I'd rather be, then you are loco as well.  Try smiling...don't ask me if I have any questions about the medication and throw a fit when I actually do.  For the record BARTOLUCCI is not under BOR and if you were listening...we wouldn't be in this predicament. 
My recommendation...reach over...grab one of those Prozac...and get yourself right girl. Life ain't so bad.

9.  Oh new parents.  I can only imagine as I am currently childless, but one day hope to have a few so I'm by no means knocking.  I just have one small tweak-age, please...I'm begging you. New rule for you...it is annoying when your baby is over a year old and you still refer to them in months.  How about....my baby is a little over a year, almost 1 and 1/2, not 14 months, not 15.  I don't walk around telling people I'm 340 months old.  I'm 28. I'm a little over 28 to be exact. Cut the crap...

8. Enough ED HARDY. I'm not buying your china or your wine or your candles...if you do...you should hang your head in shame.



7.  If you happen to manage or work at Starbucks, an assembly line like place, Moe's, Chioptle, Panera, Au Bon Pain, you get the point....  Please do not assume I've been in your establishment before.  Before mediums became grandes, burritos became healthy stuffed tortillas and a grilled cheese was an asiago panini we had simplicity.  Sure its all delicious and lovely and dazzling and makes paying the prices you pay for a sandwich ($8?) a little nicer and by no means am I asking the names to be changed (i kinda like em) but please do not assume I come there on a regular basis.  Be like a restaurant...maybe ask...obviously if I'm staring at the menu...I'M NOT THAT FAMILIAR WITH IT. 


6.  Chili's in Windsor - please get your shit together. Whether you have 10 or 40 people, your service sucks, but i love your Southwest Chicken Salad and chips and salsa, don't make this difficult, it doesn't have to be.

5.  People from foreign countries that work holidays at the mall in the center kiosks.  No you can't show me something, touch my hair with that straight iron that's been god knows where, put that nasty warm lotion on my hands with your hands, and you most certainly 100% are not scratching my head with the head tickler that will scrape nasty germs off my head and put others on it. Please...be patient...someone will approach you.

4.  USPS - I WANT TO SEND MY PACKAGE THE CHEAPEST WAY.  I know they now make me say that, but instead of making me say it, just give me the damn option the first time. Cause I will ask AGAIN.

3.  Stop raising the price of stamps. It's bullshit! i don't mail things enough to use them before they go up, and then I'm forced to go buy 1 cent stamps.  INCONVENIENT!

2.  Dear Fathers to be...YOU are not pregnant.  I know it sounds cute, but you are not.  YOUR wife, girlfriend, whatever...she's pregnant.  She will be the one to not drink,  watch what she eats, not party, not smoke and not do anything liberating cold turkey for 9 months all while losing the amazing body she once had only to bust her ass to look sexy again for you!  YOU ARE NOT PREGNANT. 

1.  No one should ever be able to use the word EPIC ever again.  I'm SO glad that phase is over.

Ahhh...i feel so much better

"I believe in kissing...kissing a lot" - Audrey Hepburn

Who doesn't love kissing?  I had one summer where my motto was literally "It's all about the make-out".  God gave us lips and people talk too much, eat too much and don't kiss entirely enough.  I'm dedicating today to a bunch of kissing quotes to hopefully stir everyone up to kiss kiss and kiss some more.  Get that mistletoe ready Mrs Claus cause kissing is contagious!  Comment with your kissing quote...

"Kissing is like real estate. The most important thing is location, location, location" - Anonymous

"I don't love him... I just like to kiss him." - Anonymous

"you should be kissed often, and by someone who knows you" - Rhett Butler

"Is not a kiss the very autograph of love?"

Henry Finck

"A wise girl kisses but doesn't love, listens but doesn't believe, and leaves before she is left."

— Marilyn Monroe



"I kissed my first girl and smoked my first cigarette on the same day. I haven't had time for tobacco since."

Arturo Toscanini


"If you are ever in doubt as to whether or not to kiss a pretty girl, always give her the benefit of the doubt."

-By Thomas Carlyle

"Kissing you is like dancing in the rain; it is an exciting kind of sensation that you can't help but fall in love with." - Anonymous

"Everybody winds up kissing the wrong person goodnight."

Andy Warhol


"A kiss is something you cannot give without taking and cannot take without giving." Anonymous

"I wasn't kissing her, I was whispering in her mouth."

Chico Marx

"We are all mortal until the first kiss and the second glass of wine."

Eduardo Galeano

B WHAT YOU WANT TO BE by Bobby Scott

That is the question. Or is it? Do you know who you want to be, or what you want to become? Well let's just say that it's probably the most difficult thing someone has to decide on in their life! What you will have to do everyday for the rest of your life... who do you want to do it with? I can hopefully sway you to figure out at least what direction/directions you would like to go or should say "look" in. I'm Bobby Scott, no not just Bobby... I'm Bobby "Friggin" Scott!!! Why you ask? Because that's how I like it. ;) It all starts with you!!! Yup! Lil ole' you!!! So wake up and look in the mirror... Let's find out what ME, Myself, and I want to do...

What do you like to do? My Gram always told me... "Think back to what you like to do in your youth." I will it admit it for the first time ever out loud... I PLAYED WITH MY SISTERS BARBIE'S>>>> ahhhh ;) yup I played with their hair and dressed them up! Oh, and yes they looked PHAT! They told me! ha ha. Back then my mother didn't find it amusing, but now she couldn't be more proud!!! So what it is that I do? Well I make everybody (Gents, Women, Teens, and kids) feel handsome and beautiful... I make them laugh and smile... Forget what they were stressed about when they got in... This brings me such JOY!!! I love building those relationships... It's my life... and I Love it! What makes this even better is that at 26 yr old I can do all these wonderful things in my OWN salon... I am co-owner of brush. salon in East Longmeadow! How did I get so accomplished you ask?! To tell you the truth... it happened over night! Actually no... it was 7yrs, 4mths, and 7 days... to be exact Sept 8, 2003! When I decided to go to school for cosmetology (without most of my families blessing) and decided that my goal was to open a salon before I was 30! Also becoming a main stage artist for the National Haircare Company TIGI! Which allows me to excel at my craft and master better techniques and further my education not only as a hairstylist but as a person! But I can tell you first and foremost GO TO SCHOOL!!! you need alil knowledge under you belt... And actually learn how to communicate and socialize with people... it's probably the most important tool you can learn. Whether you learn it from your Mom, Dad, mailman, neighborhood barber... or Aunty Betty... you must learn this! Next you need to surround yourself with a good POSITIVE group of friends... they will want to help your network grow... and enjoying doing on the way... I wasn't able to get 686 clients by myself!!! I had lots of help through my friends, family, and clients! If I didn't make these people believe I was not going to be good never mind successful in this industry, I wouldn't be writing this blog write now!

So now that we got that all settled and done. Know that it's not going to be easy! It's going to take hard work... I remember tons of time's when people would walk into the salon that I was working at right at the time of closing. Did I turn around and walk the other way? NO! I gave them what they wanted, made them feel better than when they walked in! Especially in there sense of urgency with the hair at that moment. For instance you might here the saying " your a hot mess right now", one of my top lines! Or " you look like Frosty the Snow Bitch"... that gets them every time! I'm honest! Brutally Honest! And you know, that most of those clients have stayed with me and are my biggest supporters!!! They would tell you the story of "How I saved their Life"... now we all know I'm no brain surgeon! But if they think I saved their life... we will just let them think that!

At the end of the day you should "B what you want to be!!" Know who you are, what your about, and most of all love that person. People will talk, so just let them. "Keep calm and Carry on!!!" Know that who you are now will not be who you are in 10 years! Know that people will come into your life for a reason, a season, or a life time! These boss's, friends, family members, partners all have a place in your life... Once you start to realize why they came into it, the more you will grow and the more humble you will become. So dance like no one is looking and love like it will never hurt...


This is who I is... Just b.

Ladies and Gentleman: INTRODUCING BOBBY SCOTT

It is with pleasure and with total excitement that I inform you we will be having a regular guest blogger on Bitch Sesh.  I have most recently fallen back in love with none other than my old friend Bobby Scott (see "Hairs to A Successful Change" post). 

I can tell you that in the past few weeks I've been flooded with amazement by his motivation to do what he's doing at 26, and blessed with his skills on all my hairs.  Now, I'm only more in love as I've discovered he can write, which is another skill that is a sign of great communication skills and a reason for YOU to wait anxiously as we will post the first blog by BOBBY SCOTT at 10am today. 

Stay Tuned!  He's freakin fabulous!

Practice Makes Perfect?

What have you perfected?  I found as a kid I was an impeccable athlete. Any sport.  I was first pick for the  girls, boys never complained about having me on their team, hell, I beat half of them and I never feared my opponents.  I was highly competitive....maybe even slightly annoying.  My competitive attitude, although I still love to compete, has become more graceful...and has also changed gears.  Not playing sports all the time, I've found I'm not as bad ass as I once was in this department.  With age, responsibilities and growing-up this is sure to happen, but there are other things I have grown to be good at, tried to Perfect.

Not everything in life is like riding a bike and no one just got on the bike and started going. You have training wheels, which are heightened as you gain balance, and then everyone remembers the first day they rode their first two wheel...big boy/big girl bike.  From there you gain the skills to harness other tricks if you so choose and there are many brave athletes that now make a living off BMX racing.   Perfected it?   I think not, but very damn good at it?  Absolutely!

What am I getting at? Two points, Number One: To be perfect at anything, one needs to practice.  We practice things everyday and we don't even realize we are doing it.  What do you do for work? 40+ hours a week we practice our jobs....Every week.  That's what makes us valuable.  Are you a mom?  A dad? 24/7....you are practicing.  Like to read?  The more you read, do you become a better, faster reader?  Do you enjoy it more each time?  Practice, Practice.

Now it's easy to say that oooh, I want to be perfect at something so I'll just practice, but there is more to it.  As we practice, we learn better "practices".  Most of these are done through mistakes, accidents, and ruling out the bad.  Show me someone who has never fallen off a bike while learning to ride it, ground a stick-shift while learning to drive it, or had a near mental breakdown while trying to see eye to eye with their significant other, and i will show you a liar.  Most people learn from these "bad" practices, others are what we call stubborn and ignorant. Know a few? 

Anyways the truth of the matter brings us to, Number Two: There is no PERFECT.  Which is sort of a let down in a way, but it is the truth.  Tell me something Perfect. I bet your Perfectly Good Brain can't do it.  What I will now refer to as the "Belief In Perfect" has a huge impact on us as people, more than we know.  I would confidently say that the "Belief in Perfect" can alter one's mindset and at times lower their self-esteem.  Other times, it brings out the strongest motivation an individual has.  We see practices and fall outs of this belief everyday. Two extremes are; from a mother crying after having a bad day with her child and striving to be the perfect mother, and the 8 year old that practices basketball in the driveway, everyday after school because one day, he's going to be the perfect basketball player.  Neither will happen, but the "Belief in Perfect" will always be there because without it, there's nothing to strive to be except the best, which is always replaced by better.  Without Perfection defeating you every so once in awhile, you will never be able to enjoy close to perfect moments that remind you of why you're on the track to perfect.  It's like the saying, without the rain, you wouldn't appreciate the sunshine.  So just because there may not be a Perfect, the "Belief In Perfect" is what keeps the heart beating, like Santa Claus.

 

What's In A Name?

Your name along with a few other things is what defines you.  We've all been in a situation when you meet about twenty or so people in twenty or so minutes and we know we are not going to remember any of their names.  You hear people say all the time "I'm really bad with names".  I'm not sure that's necessarily true.  When you meet someone, this is your chance to MAKE them remember your name.  Look them in the eyes, shake their hand firmly while you do it, and say your name as if you are claiming your stake, slowly, confidently and leave them wanting more. 

Next time you are in that social situation try to pay attention as to how others are introducing themselves to you.  Who do you remember and why?  Whoever it is...you remember them for a reason, they were interesting, maybe attractive and most importantly, I'm willing to bet they were confident about it.  They made you feel as though you should remember them. 

Nothing makes a person feel more dismissed then shaking their hand, "nice to meet you", while looking over their shoulder to see who else is there.  It's less than a one minute interaction, give them your undivided attention, otherwise...down the road, you won't get theirs and you never know if you may want it or need it.

Many stubborn and ignorant people walk around making comments like "I don't care what others think of me". Well buddy, I have news for you...What others think of you, is probably 95% true, and you have led them to think that with your actions.  That's mainly those people's excuses to continue acting like an ass.  It is important how people view us and it's most definitely important how we introduce ourselves.  So smile, look em in the eye, and go get em girl!

I need a vacation

I swear I've seen it on about 20 statuses over the past week.  Everyone needs a vacation, it's just that some actually plan them, and then some do not.  What the "don't-ers" need to do is TAKE their vacation.  Finish reading this post and go search on line and find where you want to go.  Give yourself a reasonable time frame and a budget and plan it. 

There's too many excuses these days like events and work.  Well make this an event, get it in the books.  If you have to...plan it a year from now, then on bdays and Holidays, ask you friends and family to please not get you anything and make a charitable donation towards your "vacation fund".  Sell a few things on ebay, and figure out how much you have to put away each week to save.  AND THEN SAVE! 

That's how you take a vacation! If time is an issue, then I guess you're not allowing yourself to take a vacation.  If you've crammed so much importance into day after day that you can't even afford, time wise,  to take a few days off....your life sucks! Yes I said it, YOUR LIFE SUCKS THE BIG ONE!  I feel bad for you.  It's one thing if you are working on a big project at the moment or something temporary that has you bogged down, but come on....no one's activities are that important. 

Whatever your vacation is, whether it's to Colorado to Ski, to Alaska on  A Cruise, A tour of the Mediterranean Countries. or off to Mexico to lay in the sand.  You deserve it kiddo!  What you need to lose is those excuses and change your attitude from I need a vacation, to, I can't wait for my vacation. Then let the countdown begin!

Where to?  Here's a start Travelzoo.com   Top 20 this week...always vacay inspiring.

Hairs to a Successful Change

Change is okay.  People like being comfortable so sometimes change is not well taken, but 98% of the time it leads to better things.  Change happens a lot around this time of year.  Businesses build their strategies for the upcoming year on how to increase profits and productivity, people join gyms in order to get fit and many bad habits and good habits are subject to an end or beginning.  I have also embraced change this holiday season.  I was on the hunt to find a new hairdresser and to me this is a huge change.  People see your hair everyday...it's an accessory to you, and it's a statement.  It's important that the person building the foundation of this for you, has their shit together.

Before I share my new experience of getting Brush.ed, I'd like to throw in how it was meant to be that I end up where I did (from a marketing stand point anyways).  Anyone who knows the fundamentals of marketing and advertising knows that it's a continued effort.  People may not want or need what you have right now, but when they do, you want to make sure you are top of mind.  A few months ago I saw a loving old friend Bobby after the Lady Gaga concert and was given his business card to a new salon "Brush" I had never heard of.  That would be what we in advertising call an impression. A few weeks later I was then invited to "like" Brush on facebook, which I checked it out, checked out the website and was well on my way to loving.  Everyone there looked young, fabulous, and most importantly FIERCE!  Your hairs, every one of them, are a fashion statement and these stylists looked like they were ready to hit the runway.

Although I hadn't made any contact in calling the salon, I had probably had the name and branding in front of me a good 6 or 7 times (impressions) before I made my move. Between seeing Bobby, getting the facebook invite, the website, their launch party invite, the updates on facebook and updated pics...the final being of course seeing my boy again at the bar and finding out he not only works there, but amazingly enough he co-owns the salon. All that mixed had me sold!  There's a happiness that grows inside me when I see people making their dreams come true.  It takes A LOT of work to start a business...to fund it...to hire people...to even put together a business plan is enough stress to turn any normal person away from following through.  Not only is it up and running, but it's something to blog about ;)  So..a tip of that hat to you Bobby, your partner, and staff!

Now onto the fabulosity that is brush.  Atmosphere was cute...it was clean, bright, fun, and "fierce", website was right on.  Presentation of their POS material was great (there's a shampoo infused with diamonds and pearls - who knew!) and I'm a fan of one of the products they were using (bed head), which can satisfy anyone's neurological path with it's sweet aromas.  Then there's Bobby.  You know when you just know someone is meant to do something.  First off, he changed my part, no one has ever made me do that, but I wasn't about to tell him no...he, after all...is the expert.  Secondly, I'm usually moderately satisfied after leaving a hairdresser for the first time, thinking...well, eventually they will get it.  Not this time...thrilled with my hair's turnout.  I'm dazzled by my experience at brush., and overall with the incredible job the owners there have done so far with this new and budding salon.   I would hands down refer anyone to check it out if their current salon isn't leaving them feeling sparkly ;)

brush. Website

http://www.salonbrush.com/

Premiere Video - "Meet brush."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtpqMiK9Np0&NR=1

Brush.ed Bar "An area after my own heart"

Just Do It!

Facts that we all know about working out. It's a chore, it's time consuming, it can be painful. There are so many more amazing things it provides. When I have a good workout routine going I feel energized, strong, sexy, healthy and just all around satisfied with things. It's when I'm lazy that I feel out of whack.
Getting back in to an exercise regimen has got to be one of the most mentally and physically challenging goals. Your body is never prepared, you can't dive back in at a full sprint and you are aware of the physical pain you'll be enduring for the next few weeks.
That said... No one else is going to take care of your body for you an it's really not THAT time consuming. You need to make time for working out and make it a priority and you'll be surprised how after awhile everything else seems to fit as well.

I write this as I am on the elliptical... I have gym ADD and forgot my headphones so there's no way I'm gettig in an hour on here without something. (Angry Birds was too difficult and sucks up the battery)

Those of u making excuses... Figure out what it is that's keeping you from the gym and solve it. 1) where do I start? Well getting there is one, then hop on a cardio machine for the first few times and do some stretching. 2) google the iternet for some beginners weight lifting routines at www.bodybuilding.com and get it on paper.
No worries on bringing magazines and notebooks to the gym... Regardless of why you think... No one at the gym is paying attention to you... Their too concerned with either their workouts or what people are saying about them.

Get your workout on! Make it a priority.

Ps if words are spelt wrong I don't care... I'm on the elip. It's lucky I got this much done. Ya I'm that girl!

The Truth of the Matter

I can't say I've never lied about anything, I don't think anyone can.  I can't say that I've never opted not to tell someone something, but then again I don't necessarily think that's lying.  What I can say is the truth is definitely more exciting.  There something relieving, something edgy and something to be said for truth telling.  As years have gone by I've learned a few important lessons and honesty is one of them.  It may get me in trouble sometimes, I'm know it's pissed people off before, but I sleep at night and am not trying to suppress my guilt afterwards.

What is it with people lying?  You lie when you feel shitty about yourself.  Whether it's guilt because you've done something you shouldn't have, you're a loser in whatever it is you're lying about and in order to make yourself feel better you lie about it  or better yet, to continue your fantasy world that you've been lying about all along instead just giving it a break already. Keep building that snowball.

I don't get it.  I get maybe to tell a lie here and there.  Sometimes people in our lives expect ridiculous things out of us and in order to get out of them, you have to lie.  Really though?  Think about how much more exciting it would be to just tell people how you feel.  Old people do it, and so don't kids.  I mean...why can't we?  We are all constantly doing things we don't want to do just to suffice other people.  Cosby's old show "Kids say the Darndest Things"...yeah because they arn't worried about what everyone is thinking.  Once you reach a certain age, you also stop giving a rat's ass what people think.  Senior Citizens, they'll tell ya what's on their mind, and I doubt any of it is a lie. 

Now this isn't a Get Selfish post.  If you thoroughly hate doing things for, or with other people or even going places then you clearly need a larger lesson, mostly being that fact that you are alive and no one is getting any younger so get happy and get movin on life!  This is a lesson on being true to yourself, and to the people around you.  No one likes a liar, and if they do...they're Lying!

What It's All About

Thanksgiving... The kick-off to many things.  The holiday season, friends and family gathering, Holiday Card Time, Decorating Time, Christmas Music, Diets plummeting, Sales Sales Sales, Tipping, Caroling, Snow, Everything that goes with Snow.  I could go on....

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it's a beginning.  As corny and generic as it is I tend to sit back and think about what I'm grateful for, who I'm grateful for, and what things I'm not so grateful for.  As those thoughts consume my mind for weeks, on New Years you get the chance to a fresh start.  I don't know why people use the excuse of New Years to start doing things, but they do, and it's a mindset, and it always will be.  So...if you need a boost to quit something, start something, or finish something, use the end and beginning of the year to your advantage.

Besides feeling bankrupt around this time, I feel bipolar at times.  Some mornings i wake up and want to hear Christmas music all day, skip when i walk, sing whenever i know the words, and think of presents I could buy for everyone.  Then there's the days when i want to stab the people in the mall who look happy holiday shopping, kick anyone who could be caught singing to it, tell my mail man he's on his own for getting up to my stairs through the snow, and not write one Christmas Card.  Happiness usually wins thougthe battle in the end though once the Holiday sweets and joyful wine are consumed.

This Thanksgiving I invite you to join me in a time of thankful reflection!  When you hug your parents hug them one second longer, take a minute to say grace (even if someone already started eating), enjoy all the little brats, even play with them, help clean up after dinner, let the person who cooked sit and socialize, when you kiss your significant other kiss them good, bring something to the meal, tell your mom she looks beautiful, and last but not least take a deep breath, look around you....these are the people that have your back no matter what....they love you no matter who you are, and they always will. 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Rock - Paper - Scissors : A $25 Gift Card

Who doesn't like a good game?  Some people say they hate competition, but they either suck at everything, are lazy or have just had some really bad experiences with overly competitive people.  I love competition, I think it's healthy.  It's what helps build our economy, it's what gives us the extra motivation to do better and in some cases it's what drives retail pricing on those lovely deals you get.

 So, I'm going to not only post about it, but I'm also going to create it.  I have a $25 gift card to Starbucks. Who wants it?  It's easy...comment on this post below with one of these words the words "ROCK, PAPER, or SCISSORS" and tell me your favorite post on my blog and why and I'll pick a winner randomly with random.com.  It's the easiest thing to do, plus i have like 10 people who read this, half will be too lazy to comment, so your chances are good !

I'm sure most people would call me competitive, and when i was younger I'm sure I was a huge brat about it.  I refused to lose.  I've learned now that people don't want to play if they are going to lose all the time, so although you don't have to let them win, and you certainly don't have to play like crap, you need to have Competition Etiquette.  You would think that the average person would not have to be told this, but you would be surprised how many people i know that are just poor losers.  It could ruin their day, night and everyone else's just because they opt in to participate and it doesn't work out in their favor. 
I'm not saying no one should want to win.  Shit, if there is a good prize up for grabs or even bragging rights then study, train, work longer hours do whatever you need to do, but be fair and square and happy to be given an opportunity to participate in whatever it is you're doing. 
So in case you are one of those people, or may want to share this with one of those people who are more Etiquettely Challenged when it comes to competing, I invite you to review the list below, it's short, but it counts.

1) Don't cheat - it's pathetic! No one will ever want to hang out with you, do business with you, or even be your friend for that matter.
2) Talk shit, talks lots of it, that's half the fun in competition, but be prepared to laugh it off if you don't win.
3) Play hard, think hard, and make people want to beat you.  It's tough being king.
4) If you lose, take the experience. You can't win at everything, and if you think you can, GET OVER YOURSELF!
5) Play to have fun, and even play to win, but don't only play if you can only win.

Game ON!

The winner was nf whom likes 10 things I can't live without and What's New. Stay tuned for more games!

TOP 10 Friday: Things I can't live without

There are things in life that I just have to have.  Life would not be complete without them.  I'm not talking about necessities like air and water, ofcourse one needs those, I'm talking about materialistic needs. Annnnd GO!

10) Bronzer - Let's face it, we're all a little better looking when we are tan

9) Orbitz gum - With their delicious flavors and everlasting taste.  Sugarfree and Linklicker funny commercials.  I wouldn't accept payment in Trident, but I would defenitly consider a good Orbitz trade. Dirty Mouth?

8) My iPhone  - For obvious reasons, but honestly...I could entertain myself for days and weeks on end, possibilities are endless on this thing and I would be willing to pay almost any amoutn monthly to have it.

7) Mexican Food - Chips and Salsa...are ya kidding? Guacamole, beans, cheese and burrittos, cilantro, that yummy taco seasoning and who doesn't like a soft shell corn tortilla? Muy Bueno!

6) Teavana Tea - My most recent love.  I have about 3 a day, it makes me happy. I suggest trying some next time you're in the mall.
5)  Shower Gel - I don't think I could ever use bar soap.  Everytime I look at it I see dry, cracked and scaly skin.  Sweet smelly gelly all the way.

4) Wet Ones - Hand wipes, Butt wipes, however you want to call them, I love them. I actually don't trust people that don't use them. If you have not bought a package and left them in your bathroom, i highly sugguest it.

3) Peppercinis - Delicious alone, delicious on salad, delicious on an anti-pasto platter, delicious in pasta, on pizze and on sandiwches.  De - licious!

2) Red wine - I'm sure being 2 on my list is a sure sign of alcoholism, but I beg to disagree, and mind your own business :)
1) Fleece Sheets from Costco - Get them! It's life changing in the cold seasons. I have some friends that now agree.

What can you not live without?

I GOTCHU MONDAY

Most people hate Mondays, since the weekend is over and they have 5 blissful work days ahead of them.  I actually don't mind Mondays.  Monday is my day to light the fire under my ass and get my week in gear.  What good would a weekend be if we didn't have to bust our asses during the work week.   I'm sure if Monday had feelings or for the matter was not a day (for this story) it would clearly know it was in a high ranking position to piss you the hell off.

Mondays make me feel good!  Mondays are normally the start of something.  Besides the week, it could be a diet, an exercise regimen, a hobby, a practice, a job, an advertising campaign in my world, a sale, new Chelsea Lately episodes and really just a lot of things.  Starting something is exciting.  Give Monday a freakin break!  As I said in my Legacy post, we live in a world of "What Have You Done for Me Lately?" and Monday is the day to get the ball rolling to show people just What that is.  You sure as hell love Monday when its the start of a vacation, but then again, no one starts vacation on Mondays unless they work Sundays. 

Try to embrace Monday...if i were you I'd hate Tuesday or Wednesday.  You spend your time being unproductive, cranky, and complainy on Monday, you leave yourself more work and longer days for T, W, Th, and Fri. 

If you did spend all day today bitching that it was Monday, that your weekend wasn't long enough, that you're exhausted since it appeared so quickly....then go to bed, wake up on Tuesday, get yourself a fabulous Pumpkin Spice Coffee, shut the F up, and MAKE UP FOR MONDAY!  Rev up your week!  Monday for President! Rock the Vote.

TOP 10 FRIDAY: Current Frequented Websites

Since it's Friday and we are closing out the week, if work is slow for any of you today, check some of these out.  These are my recent top websites that I have in my igoogle and am constantly visiting.  Any you're addicted to? Please comment, I'm always looking for different sources to gain knowledge from.

10. PeopleofWalmart.com  - because who doesn't like to laugh?

9. Billboard.com - check out some new music for the ipod, keeps me motivated at the gym.

8. AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com - will make your family look normal.

7.  Hostess with the Mostess (hostesblog.com) - Great ideas for party themes, and decorating.

6.  RedHeadWriting.com - I love her writing, I feel like we have the same style. She's full of emotion and isn't afraid to speak her opinion.

5. Ebates.com - A website that actually pays you back for using it as a portal to shop stores. I shop a lot on line, so sign a sista up. Use this link and I get $5 :)
http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=9yk8ay8dHsL%2BE95uAzpKXA%3D%3D

4. Groupon - Now serving in Hartford and Springfield, what a great way to try something and even a greater gift for the holidays, if you're not getting the daily deal, you're missing out.

3. Textsfromlastnight.com - Yes it is vile, yes it is extreme, and yes i love it! it makes me laugh, I don't care if it is disgusting, life can be disgusting. These participants are hilarious!

2.  Younghouselove.com - My new inspiration for improving the house. This couple and their little fam are adorable! 

1. Bitchsesh.blogspot.com - If you're not following me and on my follow me list on the blog, we are fighting!


Happy Weekend Bitches!

What's Your Legacy?

The smartest guy I know (Papa-D) once started a conversation with me about Legacies.  Although reading about other people's or creating them did not really interest me, it made me start to think if people actually think about, or even care, what people think of them when they are no longer here.  How do I (or you) want to be categorized when your life is over?  What do you want people to remember you by? and most importantly what mark have you left on other's lives?  
As everyone knows we live in a world where people tend to remember more negative then positive, they tend to soon forget things that others have done for them, and being in sales I hear this a lot, but "What have you done for me lately?" If I were to die tomorrow...what would be said about me?  I can pretty much guess, but I'm not sure if I'm happy with my footprint so far. 
Part of it is because Americans spend so much time working, to make money of course, to survive and live a comfortable and happy life.  Our social lives are rushed. Never enough time in the day for both.  You can work 10 hours a day, and there will still be work the next day.  You can justify working because you are getting a paycheck.  If we were payed to socialize (some occupations are) wouldn't life be blissful?  People would gather more, more experiences and memories would be made.
I believe there are a few things people want to be remembered for.  If they really loved what they did and had a great career, then that would probably be one part of it.  Meaning if they invented something, came up with major strategies for a company, built a business from the ground.  Many entrepreneurs, politicians and high ranking CEOs will want to be partly remembered by that, but that's not what will carry your legacy.  Your family, your friends and the people that you make a "footprint" on will carry it.  A business does not have feelings, it certainly has replacements. It may have great benefits, awards and bonuses, but not emotions.  An emotion is what creates a memory and a memory is what carries a legacy.
This goes upon something that we always hear, which is you need to have a good balance of work and personal life, but this day and age it tends to overlap a lot.  So regardless of what you do or how important some things are to do, think about what you want to be remembered for and start to make your footprint.  Try to make serious mental notes when others go out of their way to help you as this may be their way of creating a memory that they would like you to remember them by. Take a break, evaluate those around you and how you want them to be part of your life.  Most importantly...make sure you're living the life you want to live.  We don't get another one after this one is over, and clocks do not stop ticking.  It's never too late, and never too early.

Isn't Foursquare that Game with the Rubber Ball?

If you have a phone with an app...you need to download this purely for the reason of going to the mall check out some discounts that Foursquare offers when you check-in. These are of course location based for Hartford, but some apply to all states, just go online at Foursquare.com and start an account...look for the companies offering discounts in your location. As you will see below, it's local retailers as well as National chains.  I've listed some of the deals around me below, and at the bottom is the link to go and place your location in. 

If that isn't reason enough to sign-up, I saw the app in full force this weekend when we were waiting in line at the DC International Spy Museum and there were 40 comments as to what to do there, what to avoid, and what to expect.  Also how to save $5 on admission - although it was too late for that LOL.  You can leave tips for other people, as well as voice your complaints, which we all know we love to do when we've had a bad experience.

American Eagle  - Check-in to any American Eagle and unlock a 15% discount towards your merchandise purchase. EVERY CHECK-IN.  Why would you not download the app

Newbury Comics - You think you might never go here but they have some really funny stuff  besides just comics Check-In 10% off, even Sale items. Show cashier coupon #.

Precision Time - First check-in get a free watch cleaning, pretty sweet. I don't wear a watch, but if i did, it'd be worth a stop.

Modell's Sporting Goods (All over)  Save $10 off a purchase of $50 or more when you check in at this Modell's Sporting Goods location! See store associate for disclaimer and exclusions. Not valid online. Cashier code: 0-50000-21476-1

Bath & Body Works - Welcome to Bath & Body Works! Signature Collection Buy 3, Get 2 FREE! No promo code required.

Chili's Grill & Bar (Most Chili's have some kind of deal) -  Free chips and Salsa on your check-in! (UHm HELLO!)

Imported Auto Center Inc. (Glastonbury, Connecticut)Get one free oil and filter service after 9 oil changes

Wadsworth Atheneum (Hartford, Connecticut) Free admission to any Phoenix Art After Hours for the Mayor.

Payless ShoeSource  Welcome to Payless! For 1st Time Check-ins: Take $5 off of any $25 purchase now! Show coupon code 38257 to a Payless associate or use on payless.com
Pizza Hut - The Mayor of this Pizza Hut receives one free single order of breadsticks per day with the purchase of a large pizza! (For Dine-in and Carry-Out orders placed at the restaurant only)

Express  - Shop our daily Deals & Steals! Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off For Her: Tees/Tanks, Jeans, Shirts, Jewelry, Leggings AND For Him: Graphic/Polo/Waffle Tees, Jeans, Cotton Sweaters, Shirts. No promo code required.

The Spicy Green Bean (Glastonbury CT) - Free cookie every 3 check-ins!

PourHouse (Hartford, CT) $1 drinks for the mayor all night long, plus 3rd visit in a week and your first drink is on us.

Joseph Merritt & Company (Hartford, CT)  2 FREE Sheets (up to 30" x 42") of Color Blueprints on your first check-in!! Show this screen to one of our Joseph Merritt & Co representatives.

Ben & Jerry's   While you're in the hood, you should hit up the Ben & Jerry's scoop shop! Check in and get 3 scoops for $3! Show that you're mayor and and get an extra scoop on us! (3 scoops for $3, YUMMO!)

Fuller Yoga Pilates and Massage (Hartford, Connecticut) Foursquare Users Only! Pay $5.00 to any yoga or pilates class on your first check in at Fuller Yoga Pilates and Massage.

Whole Foods Market - First time visits – 1 cup small coffee

Bellini's Italian Eatery (South Windsor, CT)  Buy One Entree, Get a Second Entree Free for the Mayor! Cannot be used with other offers, specials or discounts. Limit one offer per table, per visit. Free Entree must be of equal or lesser value.

Room 960 (Hartford CT) - Mayor doesn't pay admission!

Carrabba's Italian Grill - Grazie and welcome to Carrabba's! Receive a complimentary calamari on every 5th check-in with the purchase of an entree. (Muy Bueno....oops wrong language!)

Hess (Springfield, MA) - Check in at Hess for a chance to win free gas and Brisk for a year! While you're at it, refuel yourself with a Frito Lay and Brisk combo for just $1.99! Offer valid through 12/31/10

Cyber Exchange (West Springfield, MA) - If you check in 3 times in 30 days, 10% off on parts and accessories!

Zales Jewelers (Enfield, CT) - Check-in and unlock $50 off your $300 purchase. Store Associates enter code 104SQR000000018 at checkout. Valid 11/1/10-12/31/10. Exclusions Apply. See Store Associates for details.


Totally Pagoda (Holyoke, MA) - Check-in and unlock 10% off your entire purchase. Vaild 10/1-10/31/10. Associate Instructions: POS and X-stores use Holiday promo code #33 Disclaimer: Excludes clearance. One coupon per check-in

Modell's Sporting Goods (West Springfield, MA) - Save $10 off a purchase of $50 or more when you check in at this Modell's Sporting Goods location! See store associate for disclaimer and exclusions. Not valid online. Cashier code: 0-50000-21476-1

FYE (Holyoke, MA) - Show us you’re checked in @ f.y.e. and get 10% off any CD, DVD, Blu-Ray or Video Game. Limit one discounted item per customer per day. FYE employees, use Coupon Code "CKIN"

JC Penney (Holyoke, MA) - Check in & get $10 off your $50 purchase – just show promo code M1G+-S92 at checkout. The legal stuff: jcp.mobi/411

PC Solutions and Training (Chicopee, MA) - Free diagnostics. This includes installing Windows updates and making recommendations for improved system performance.


Hollister Co.(Most Malls) - Check-in and take 20% off your next Hollister order! Show our store model your phone at checkout with this Foursquare only special coupon code: 3028.
Dominos Pizza (Springfield, MA) ONE FREE ORDER OF CINNASTIX with the Purchase of any Large Pizza at Regular Menu Price. Just Show this special while placing the order.

Aerie -(Most Malls) Check-in to any Aerie store and unlock a 15% Off discount towards your next merchandise purchase. Expires 11/24/10. Limit one per customer


Flow of Energy Massage Therapy (West Hartford, CT)$15 OFF a 60 minute massage ($75 Value) for First Time Clients. On-going Special - $10 OFF for each referral.


Sing-Up @ http://www.foursquare.com/ and put in your or A location at http://foursquare.com/businesses/ and the right hand side, deals in that area will come up.  Then find me and other friends so that we can do what you've always feared and stalk one another.  Happy Social Networking!

THAT'S SO DC

Back from the Nation's Capitol and I had a blast!  I will say that traveling with a male friend is so low maintenance.  Nick was awesome, we seriously laughed the entire time.  Some of the museums were a let down, but as anyone who has asked me how my trip was knows, I'm a little bit obsessed with the Newseum.  I recommend it ten fold to anyone who is going or has not yet been.  Although what started off as a trip to visit a cousin, I think I saw her for a total of 4 hours, so thank god I didn't ride solo on this one.

What i will say about DC is it seems as though everyone who lives there, does not site see, which makes me sad.  I understand it's a huge tourist attraction, but these people have all of the Smithsonian museums and a ton of history in their backyard and they don't bother to take advantage of it unless a visitor comes to town.  The other major thing is there were so many ugly people there it wasn't even funny.  I mean we literally would go an entire day and only see a dozen or so of good looking people and think we may have even lower our standards to find them.  Although the District of Columbia is suppose to be one of the smartest per capita places in the country, we must have met a lot of the percentage that is bringing that number down.  People were ignorant, and some just plain stupid.  If they are smart, they sure as hell were not doing a lot of thinking.

Georgetown was beautiful, I'd like to go back and spend some more time there. College town...no metro stop so it's not overly crowded with stupid people and it has little shops and restaurants.  I need to throw a shout out to my cousin that hooked us up with a stay at the Ritz and Pa Dukes for Flyer Miles ;) I swear I'm beginning to realize that staying anywhere other than the Ritz might become hard in my future.  Hanging out in the Steam Room for an hour on Saturday morning and then returning with the shiniest granny smith apple I've ever seen and some fresh cucumber water could easily become a daily traveling routine.  Also, fact that they serve you cashews, peanuts and a delicious sweet and salty trail mix (you know the one with the fake m&ms) with your drink and not just mini pretzels or goldfish like the other hotel is just reason enough. 

What I've come back with is a greater knowledge about journalism (Newseum) the same knowledge about fossils (Natural History) that being a spy requires a lot of time and effort (Spy Museum), a better understanding of the Washington DC Metro system (which is ridiculously clean by the way), a new found better bond and love with my good ole buddy Nicholas, a better confirmation that my cousin who lives there is a spolied brat (sorry girl), a desire to go back again, AND the best yet....a new word.  "DC"  I will use it in a sentence.  "I can't even talk to him anymore he is so DC."  Dumb and Kinda Bobo looking.  Pretty much sums up almost everyone we came across down there (minus of course people we already knew and the staff at the hotels). I really shouldn't be complaining, I felt like a supermodel brain surgeon.

Unitedly Stupid!

Currently my day could not get any worse.... Surprisingly, I'm still laughing, not yet crying and still don't desperately need a drink. Well....that could be a lie. United Airlines and people traveling in general today have sucked the living life out of me. Since when did airlines make everything chargeable. You can fly for your ticket price, but if you want to bring your stuff... Well then thatsgoing to be $25 and if you have a lot of stuff...make it $100. Hopefully you won't want to sit with the person you purchased the ticket with because that's $19 a seat, which by the way $19? Where the hell does someone come up with that amount. " but ma'am you have 5 more inches for foot room available". Uhm, it's an hour flight, I'm all set! "but ma'am your tickets are upgradable". I'm pretty sure for an additional $38 anyone is upgradable. Maybe if they told me they weren't going to have ice could have worked something out by "upgrading". Holy crap!
Then baggage claim was a whole other nightmare. United get your shit together! As we arrived at our designated carousel that was stopped, we noticed my friend's bag to the side... Waiting for probably anyone who wanted it to pick it up. My bag... No where in sight, either was anyone else's ooorr anyone else for that matter. So of course I started freaking out and found the United Assholes in their little luggage cubbyhole and voiced my concerns. They scanned my ticket and told me it was on it's way. Uhm so sorry bud, not going to cut it, your little computer told you that? How? " it probably just got mixed up with the transfers". What?!??! Not okay. Basically from there any of you who have ever heard me aggravatingly annoy someone until I get an answer I'm happy with will know that I went into super bitchmode.
Southwest and Delta... I love you and I miss you and I will never stray again! I enjoy your corny jokes on the flight, your iced beverages, I'll take a big fat B 35 on my seating placement any day and take my chances. Plus cocktails are $3 more on United! Now that we're on the ground, let's hope this day turns itself around, afterall being in the house of Obama and going by his sentiments. Those having a good day should have to share my misery and I'll have to go with the dictate on this one... I deserve a good rest of the day.

Top 10 Friday - Ways to Annoy Your Co-Workers

Sometimes you need a little break from work at work.  We spend so much time with our colleagues that they become like the family we never wanted or asked for.  I think annoying them like your younger brother or sister will help build the bond that creates a great office ora.  If not, at least you'll get a laugh out of it.

10) Be constantly cheery every morning at 8am and as you say Good Morning to everyone at their desk, wait, smile and nod as you wait for a responding Good Morning! If they don't respond, just continue to repeat your greeting until they do.

9)  Hand out one of your business cards to everyone on a weekly basis, just to make sure "they know how to contact you".

8)  At the coffee machine, constantly ask if there is a flavor that is unavailable. "Is that Raspberry Mocha?" If they do get the flavor, respond with "Is that regular?"

7)  Hide other people's office equipment at each other's desk.  This works particularly well if people have their "favorite calculators".

6) Heat up Fish in the Employee Break Room, or better yet, burn popcorn.

5)  Don't flush. Ever.

4)  Every time you receive an email, state "I've Got Mail".

3)   Text. Text A Lot! With your keypad volume on high.

2) EMAIL IN ALL CAPS

1) Always Reply To All

Happy Friday! Now go annoy someone!

BE A GENIUS - Think About Nothing!

Today was my most productive day of the week, so far. Not because of obvious reasons like getting things done or even for producing the most results, but mainly for having some damn good ideas. Some of these ideas even surprised me.  I thought, I need to write these down, and write them down immediately.  I'm not sure if anything will ever come of them, or if it they are even possible, but I do know i need to write them down.  How many times have you had a great idea and never written it down? only to find that you never even tried to think about it again and worse...you can't remember the idea, even if you wanted to. 

When you're a writer, or at least trying to be, whether its a blog, a poem, a book, a column.  They tell you to write a lot.  Write when you don't have anything to write about. Write about NOTHING!  Which brings me to my philosophy about ideas.  Not everyday can be a glorious day for thinking.  Most days people just think about what they have to to get through the day.  Send this email, finish that report, make that phone call,  then they look for entertainment when they don't want to "think" anymore.  That is the reason the TV and Internet are so popular with everyone.  If all great writers did was write about nothing, then I'm going to Think, think a lot, and Think about NOTHING.  Not only am I going to do that, I'm going to write it all down, hence...me writing.

So now I have got a bunch of great ideas staring me in the face on a piece of paper.  There's clearly nothing I was going to do about all of them that minute, but there they were.  That is what happens to most ideas.  They are there, right in your face, but nothing ever happens. Either we again, forget about them or we don't have the motivation to do anything about it because "It will come up again".  Not to say that anyone should be writing ideas down and then calling all their contacts to make connections before thinking things through, but at least write it down.  I had a client come to me with an opportunity a few weeks ago.  It was a great IDEA, but there was nothing I could do for them at that moment because I wasn't sure where or how I could use the opportunity.  I actually thought to myself that there probably was no way I could take advantage of it.  But low and behold, today something came across my desk and the ideas were flowing.  Weeks later after the idea came about....and not written down, but that is because it happened to be one idea I did not forget.  Although...it wasn't my idea, I could have been that client's piece of paper, they may have forgotten, but i did not.  The ideas are to go back to, to cross out, to laugh at, to remember, to inspire more ideas.  That's why they have the blank notebooks in Stationary stores with the word "Thoughts" on them.  

Once I realized how productive my actual day was i tried to think about what may have triggered it.  Mainly...other ideas, which is why I'm going to start writing them all down, most of them, okay...a few. If I can help myself trigger a brainstorming session on a regular basis, I will have a collection of a lot of great ideas.    I guess one would then say, well who gives a shit, then you have a pile of a lot of ideas....so what?  The so what is exactly what you do with those ideas.   It's your life...and your dreams...although...isn't your dream an idea?

You might want to write this down!

Ace of Cake...POPS

Second Time's a Charm!  Look at these beauties!  It actually was a lot of fun, and the best part about doing stuff like this is seeing other people get excited as well. My friend Nick was over and he proceeded to chime in on his thoughts and creative advice for yours truly.  It's fun to watch guys get into stuff.  I think the girly part of it all, the cleaning, and the overwhelmingness of planning it, is what they hate, but the creating and masterpiece and coming to a final product, well....who doesn't enjoy that?

Hmmm...maybe there's more to that.  It's not something new to hear women bitch that their husbands, boyfriends, etc don't want to participate in any of their, what they call, "fun" activities.  Well maybe it's the way we as women approach it.  Exhibit A:  I'll go with the appropriate seasonal approach and choose the simple task of Pumpkin Carving.  Some men love to do this, while other could care less.  If you're one of the care less man owners then listen up!  Some men just don't think doing some of that shit is manly, they've never done it, or they don't quite know that it can be fun.  Lead the dear to water.  Get the pumpkins, set them up, pull out the tools, make it easy (this is all if you want him to do these things with you). Make it fun!  After all if he was going to ask you to help him fix the car or clean and organize the garage, he better damn well pray that there is something in it for you.  Now if he still doesn't want to after that make the delicious pumpkin seeds and don't share any with him.  No Ticky, No Laundry! Now....Let's ogle at my wonderful pops!

4 Pumpkins and a Mess

I need to get this recipe down straight.  I tried to make cupcake pops once again and I ended up with these 4 pumpkins you see below.  yes while they are cute, there were 20 others that didn't quite make it.  Luckily i was smart enough NOT to cut out off the faces and save that until i realized there were only a few survivors.   My entire kitchen was left orange, with chocolate everywhere. I'm now sick to my stomach and WIRED!!!!

What continues to happen is they stick and i put them in the fridge to harden a little, but once that chocolate hits them, it's too heavy and it warms the dough so the stick pushes on through to the other side and the cupeycake goes slidin on down the pole like a fireman. Sooooo depressing! 

I'm going to try again tomorrow...not sure what I'm going to do differently, but where there's a will there's a way!  Hopefully someone at work will enjoy these assholes tomorrow!  The to the far right looks like he is mocking me!

WHAT IS NEW?

I had three people today ask me What's New?  I understand that this is normally a segway into a conversation that leads to catching up with someone, but it made me think when my answer was....Nothing is New!  The person whom I converse with on a regular basis, I had about 5 things to tell.  What I did over the weekend, plans for the upcoming weeks, etc.  the other two people, I had nothing to report.  That's sad! 
Sure new shit has happened in 5 years, but nothing at the moment.  I'm not engaged, married, pregnant...not a new homeowner, no new animals, no new boyfriend, no recent vacation. Thanks for making me feel like crap. What is one suppose to say in a circumstance like that.  What we should really be talking about is something juicy like the reason we haven't talked in so long.  You know there's always a reason...

This made me paranoid that now I always have to have something to say.  If I wake up every morning and have something planned that I did not have previously then I will have something new.  Who the hell has that much ambition in the morning?  I would field suggestions at this point, but as you can see I have 3 followers right now on this blog that consist of my best friends and my sister...they could care less about who asks me because I voluntarily tell them what's up on a regular basis, so brainstorm session.....

The conclusion that I have come to and the challenge I will give myself for a month is to pick a word of the day, a new word I've never used and use it 10 times that day. That shit will be new, it will not only be new to me, but hopefully to that person as well.
Scenario:
What's New?
Harlequin
I'm sorry What?
Harlequin is new.
I'm not getting it
You're not getting Harlequin or you're not understanding that Harlequin is new?
What the hell is Harlequin?
So glad you asked, harlequin when used as an adjective is varied colors, when used as a noun it is like a clown.

From there we will form sentences...and therefore I will not feel as though my conversation is pointless.  Also since I'm almost always lollygagging around with my coffee and taking my sweet as time in the morning...I have found the perfect website to help me with my new daily word. http://wordsmith.org/words/today.html

Follow along with me and you too can have something to share, or as in my last post when all else fails you can always say UR MOM.

Golfing the Talk

I've come to the conclusion that sounding smart is not that difficult.  There are a few (this is a loaded statement) different personalities in this world.  I am currently going to rant about the ones that speak in public. I don't' necessarily mean actual public speakers, but say a sales person pitching to a client, a judge, a lawyer, and anyone who is trying to state an opinion or point of view to another person. I'm going to start off with that idiot wacko of an ex American Idol judge, Paula Abdul.  Yes, we all loved Black Cat and Opposites Attract, but in a world of what have you done for me lately we know her as basically tits on a bowl that danced like a maniac on one too many seasons of AI. I will admit that sometimes I thought Paula was going to actually say something constructive and then I wound up so confused by the end of her statement that I felt as though i had missed half the critique.  For examp, she would start with an analogy along the lines of:  that really brought out the different colors in your voice (pause here). Now to someone like me who is watching this show for pure entertainment and knows nothing about critiquing a voice except for either chills on my arms or STFU, I think I am about to learn something about the colors of a voice. Maybe blue would be the equivalent of a low tone and then red as a segway into something (see I already have no idea what I'm talking about) however...no she then goes to babble about god knows what and does not even clarify what any of it means, and just trails off with ending something like...... so I love your pants.  At that point the contestant is so confused, but heard love and knows Simon is next so nothing is heard, which makes her valueless.
Now to the "Opposite" of that (no reference intended), we have people who start off like Paula, they may lose you for a moment, but then make another analogy that you understand and either agree with, never thought of, or makes you think.  We like being challenged, so this is a great start to labeling a smarty pants.  At this moment, this person could now trail of and say blah blah blah, then end with a statement, tying their whole point together and leaving you with either a "I totally agree" or "Hmmm...Interesting".  Go ahead and throw out an astonishing fact that blows people away, and well...now you're an expert.
I compare it to my golf game. I can drive the ball, people are normally impressed with my actions from right off the tee. It tends to go straight, far (for a chick) and sounds PGA-ish when my club hits the ball. I suck with my irons, it could ruin the game for me, but sometimes i will impress myself with hitting a perfect ball or two. Rarely, the entire hole is astonishing, but mostly it's just getting from point A to B by hitting a few yards up the fairway killing any moles and making divots the entire way.  People tend to forgive this, blame it on me not concentrating, or state that everyone has a bad hole. This is because they are still remembering my drive. Now my putting, thanks to an awesome client of mine, is pretty damn good.  This is where it counts.  It's the last that people will remember how you did on this hole, it's your closing statement.  The reason people tend to remember the drive and the putt is because they are involved in their own game and their own interferences during the middle game that they aren't really paying too much attention to what is going on in your world. Exactly like they would if they are still thinking about your "opening statements".
So although I'm no expert, my Anti-Paula advice so you don't sound like an asshole would be do not try to make a statement just to talk and sound smart. If you don't know something or have a question, definitely ask or say something like "I could be wrong, but is blah blah blah" - if someone knows they will correct you. People loooove sharing their knowledge of things.  If you want to sound like an expert, you better know your shit (and not have one hit record and a dance with a cat). If not, it's okay to say "I don't know" or to not say anything (what a concept). Always have a point and back up your beliefs.  And if all else fails, just say "UR MOM".  It always wins battles!

Top 10 Friday - Reasons to Have A Boyfriend into the Fall

I love fall!  The air is crisp, the foliage is pretty and mostly it marks the time of the year that I can start wearing colors other than black so i won't have pit stains. There is a ton to do in the fall though and once that chill sets in it seems like laziness does as well.  I figure if you get a boyfriend...this is probably the best time of year to have one. Some may agree and also say Winter, but that leaves having to buy them Christmas gifts and if you're nice buy their family gifts as well.  Driving around visiting my family is enough of a chore, never mind throwing in all his family's destinations as well.  I use to always make the suggestion of just doing holidays separate, but men and are needy and they figure since they don't' want to be with their family, then you need to suffer with them.  So alas...my top ten for why ditching slutty for fall could be a wise decision.

10. According to studies I have read (somewhere) December is the biggest month for the general population to be smooshing one another.  This means that more babies are born in Aug/Sep/Oct than any other month.  So happy birthday to you with a big fat present.  Normally the new boyfriends like to impress with a big ole juicy expensive one too. I'll take it!

9. Who the hell else is going to help me rake leaves and actually think its fun?

8. Need to get the car ready for the cold weather and I am lucky that I remember to bring my car in for an oil change on time, let alone what or where to check for winter maintenance. Men seem to be born with that passed along knowledge.

7.  They can build fires and kill spiders, two things I have no interest in, but enjoy enjoying

6. I can't take out and or carry my a/c units up the stairs to stow in the basement.

5. The garage needs some cleaning so i can park my ass in there when the snow comes. I'm not very good at organizing tools and shit that i don't really care about. Men seem to know useless things like emptying the gas out of a lawnmower to store for the winter, but find it difficult to roll up the bag of doritos and put a chip clip on it so that it doesn't go stale.

4.  I like to lose some weight before the holidays that way i don't have to feel bad when i gain a pound or two from those delicious pillsbury crescent rolls that my step mom always has for holiday dinners.  People who have sex on a regular basis (again somewhere I read) are 30% more apt to lose weight. Yay for penetration!

3.  An obvious would be that it creates more heat when two people are snuggled up.  I typically do not love snuggling because my arm ends up either falling asleep or in some weird position called the WTF do I do with my arm snuggle and it's just awkward, but when its cold...snuggle time it is. I'd prefer not to depend on my dog for this because he is selfish and the snuggle is all about him and his need to be constantly pet.

2.  It's hot when your man gets all fired about Football as if he makes a difference in the team. It means Football Sundays, also known as Sunday Funday, are in full effect. 

1.  For the shear reason that after causing trouble the entire summer, one should take a break from singledom and reflect on the good that they still have left to offer a one day husband.  But don't get too comfy.

So....any takers?

SHAKING THE LEAF

Just when I thought i knew what I wanted: Changed my mind!  Doesn't every chick want a nice guy?  Someone who loves all things you love, someone who asks you how your day was everyday and cares? Someone who wants to talk about your future, and babies and all things happy and compliment you 24/7 and thinks you can do no wrong? Not this chick!
 In a short of the long version I will sum this up for you how a seemingly happy beginning turned into a weekend of me literally looking for assholes to converse with or just be around for that matter.  Girl meets Boy...they take interest in each other and phone numbers and such are exchanged. At first I think, he's hot, has a house, a nice car, good job, I think he said a few funny things the night I met him at a party???   There's a first date where everything seems great, but then again anyone who knows me knows I can carry on a conversation with just about anything that breathes. After a few more dates which consisted of me cooking, the gym or nice walks we still had not done anything but a short make out sesh here and there and I realized I didn't really want to do more than that.  Again, those who know me...Sorry guy!  Took a break which shortly there after led to a date in which i wanted to hurl myself out of the car while he was driving.  I should not have let it get to the point where I could not stand to be around him so much so that when he ever asked me if he could come in an watch tv with me after the date i wanted to gouge my own eyes out.
Clingy McClingster just wasn't getting it.  I spent that entire weekend dodging texts that asked me "what are you up to dooodddy?"  and the only reason i even answered one was because he found my set of everyday keys that i had been missing for two weeks that i lost one night at a wedding we went to (not as dates, the bride and groom were the introducers of this fine budding relationship).  Coincidentally I had told everyone i thought he had my keys when i could not find them anywhere and that he would miraculously find them as the hero one day. Well...this was his day.  He received a response, but it was solely based on the fact that I wanted my keys so i could stop using all my spares.  The next morning of course, without fail i received a text and by that night I had to say something.  I realized fully that besides the fact that everything at this point that came out of his mouth was like nails on a chalkboard to me, that this guy doesn't have his own opinion and if he does, he's shoving it aside to say something - anything that he thinks will make me like him more.  He can't spend time alone, which is annoying for an independent chick like me. He WAS NOT funny, and I need funny, it's the third requirement after attractive and good in bed.  He was beyond in like with me, yet did nothing to schmooze, which kills it, shows me you have no creativity whatsoever.  Also i was beginning to learn that this guy was dense and well kind of a pussy, but of course would never think any of these things of himself.  The fact that I had to answer to him already about where i was all weekend and i could not shake him from the tree was stressing me out! WE ARE NOT IN A RELATIONSHIP AND HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR THREE WEEKS!!!!!  Not really to my surprise after being very direct with a "This isn't working out...you require too much attention and are too much for me at this point in my life" his reply was..."...are we still on for Friday?" 

Everyone has gotten the I need space talk, or I just have a lot going on in my life.  Listen to this wise advice....If someone tells you they need space from you it is because YOU ARE ANNOYING THEM.  There is no other explanation except the fact that they have other things and in some cases other people they would rather do then date you right now at this point in their lives and the best thing for you to do is to walk away and save your dignity.  It does not mean there is something wrong with you. Love yourself first and you will figure that out. What it means is that you are not what they are looking for...I'm sorry if they are what you are looking for, but you may want to re-evaluate your options. Do not call them. Do not ask questions. Do not bother them.  If they are finally saying this to you then they have been thinking about saying it before this, it's just not an easy thing to tell someone.  Immediately find the first person you know that will tell you this in person and ask them to be honest. Take their advice! Go get a cocktail!

;)