Author Archives: LA Blogger Gal

Welcome to the Ultimate Blogging Party

A little late than never, but I thought it would be easier to make this post a sticky…so consider things stuck! Daily (or so) posts follow below.

Holy cow, I can’t believe that I posted about the Ultimate Blog Party 2009 about a month ago and I still manage to forget to sign up and post! Please forgive me. I will have to take some time and get a real, welcomey sort of post up here. Right now, I just have to post my hasty hello! and run.

Here are the basics (will tweak more later, after I get back from dinner)…

thirty-something blogger far too close to becoming a forty-something blogger
run a small business leading workshops and teaching small business the benefits of social media and blogging
also run an amazing community and blogsite that hosts regular weekly giveaways (and why I don’t have one up here)
have another business that I plan to be getting started over the next couple months, but am still a little hushhush about it
I’m not a fan of the term “mompreneur” as I feel it separates us as women and think that we’d do better to support each other in business as much as possible – while I’ll agree that moms have an additional challenge or two than others may not have, but it doesn’t mean that a child-free entrepreneur doesn’t also have additional challenges to face (during my first years in business, like many, I worked full time, but at one point, I also took full time care of my father-in-law as he lost his battle with cancer — different challenges, but still difficult challenges for a young business none-the-less). Basically, I’m just not a fan of pitting women against women, I think that unfortunately we can do that ourselves without the media getting involved and categorizing us.
I’ve been blogging on and off for about 5 or so years now in fact, I write on three blogs
I attended BlogHer last year, but won’t be this year
love my crazy, workaholic husband who is currently at SXSW doing his music-lovin’ thing (our 5th anniversary is right around the corner)
we’re child-free, but have two adorable little fur-kids (much as I might hate that expression) – one cat that’s been waking me up too damn early this past week and one dog that never seems to stop barking
when the mood strikes me, I can curse like a sailor (and why I’m in the not-so-family-friendly category)
I love taking photos and sometimes participate in Wordless Wednesday – can’t stand editing though, so I tend to post my images raw, straight outta the camera
I love in the greater Los Angeles area (moved her to marry my husband) and miss seasons (and winter particularly) tremendously
I’m a Jersey Girl born and bred, though I moved southward when I was 20 or so – I still have the accent on occasion, but will either need to be drunk or very excited (doesn’t mean the occasional “shoew-oar” (sure) won’t slip out – and yes, it cracks my husband, the native Angelino up)
I love nothing more than a great cup of tea, though when out and about, I live on lattes or iced coffees
that’s all I can think of right now, but I do have this 7 Things post that might share a couple of insights
Edited to Add: just realized that while I’m too exhausted to create a more witty post, I can just link you to last year’s post and that should give you an idea of what I’m about

Oh yeah, I may as well write this here since I know it’s getting the page views…I’m always looking for bloggers on my site. If you’re interested in learning more about the opportunity, drop me a note.

Proper welcome to come okay, that’s not happening now, but I have been adding more and more to this post each day. Please feel free to stay and visit a while….

And did I mention that there are prizes involved? Me, I’m most interested in the following:

#58 – Kitchaid Mixer

#19, #21 and #22 – all $50 Target gift certificates

#111 Afternoon Tea in a Box (I do love me some tea)

and lastly #12 a $20 gift certificate to The Gift Closet

What prizes are you interested in?

Grrr…Still Clenching

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What the hell?!?!? I’m actually contemplating popping a xanax to help me chill.

Wonder if I can book a massage for tomorrow…

One Step Closer to that Job Now

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I heard from the gal doing the hiring for that co-teaching gig. While I didn’t get a definitive “you got it” she did tell me that she doesn’t forsee much of a challenge covering the two days I’ll be missing. She just needs to double check with the team tomorrow to make sure it’s doable.

So I’m feeling quite good about everything. Which is a good thing considering the job would start on Tuesday.

Home Alone

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When you’re home alone, do you do things differently, or notice that things freak you out more than usual?

Granted, I also live with a will-bark-at-anything dog and a scaredy cat cat, but between the two, there’s a lot going on. Last night, right before I fell asleep, I heard a strange sound in the kitchen. It almost sounded like the back door opened. Mind you, nothing from ether of the boys, so it must’ve all been in my head. Then again this morning, another odd sound. And still nothing from the alarm boys.

So it got me thinking, when you’re home alone, do you freak out a little more easily? I notice I’m more willing to lock the door than I am on any other, typical day. Last night, I actually even wondered why we don’t have additional deadbolts on the doors – something that isn’t even a concern on any other night. I also notice that I’m more likely to close the blinds and windows. Which of course is crazy because it’s really not any different than any other day or night.

So I ask you, do you do anything differently when you’re home alone?*

*Like maybe not announcing to the blogosphere that you’re home alone?

It’s the Living in Limbo that Gets to Me

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Off hand, I don’t recall if I mentioned it here or not, but I applied for a part-time teaching gig. It was totally up my alley using all my past life skills: teaching, working with the developmentally disabled and computer and social media skills. I had the interview on Friday and accepted it later that evening.

Before I sent the email acceptance (the interviewer told me to email), I decided to do a quick calendar check to make sure I didn’t have any major conflicts. Well, turns out I had two. One in early April for the hub’s birthday, a quick drive up to San Jose and the Springsteen show. The other is a speaking gig that I have down in Costa Mesa in early June. I left the gal know that other than these two incidents, I was completely and fully available for the entire semester and would gladly accept the job.

Then came Monday. She wrote back saying that she’s not sure she can give the job to someone that has to miss two days (mind you, it wasn’t asked at any time during the interview if I would be 100% available to attend every class). Sounds like a silly thing, but the April date is only the second day of class and the June date is during finals, so I can see her point. On the other hand, they’re hiring a week and a half before classes start and I think it’s a bit insane to think that someone, anyone won’t need a day off or get sick during the next three months.

While it’s painful, I told her that I would be willing to skip the April trip (and the incurring costs – which far exceed the salary). But since I’m one of the featured speakers for the event in June (an event that I booked months ago, months in advance) that it would be unprofessional to skip that event and I couldn’t do it. Hopefully, she’ll see my willingness to commit to the job and she’ll acknowledge that while it might seem like a big deal, it really wouldn’t be and still let me take the job.

If it wasn’t through UCLA, I don’t think I’d want it as badly. Thing is, this a not only a great opportunity for me, but it’s also something that I’d be good at and something I’m more than qualified to do. Really, something I want to do. A huge part of me misses teaching.

But this limbo, this waiting…it’s killing me. I can’t schedule client appointments because I don’t know when I’ll need to head to campus to fill out my paperwork or when I’ll need to attend a meeting with the team or my co-teacher. Same thing with other appointments. I guess I can just schedule them for non-teaching days, but it just feels weird and that still won’t guarantee that I’d be available for a team meeting. I also feel weird that I was so exciting and blabbed about it to friends and well, now there’s a possibility that it might not happen this semester – but could still happen next semester.

Life in limbo is tough on a gal. Doesn’t help that I also dropped the hubby off at the airport earlier today for his SXSW trip. I won’t be talking to him much while he’s gone since his day will be filled recording the acoustic sessions and his nights will be filled up with his shooting the bands during performances. I look forward to when it’s all over though since I get a few days with him before he heads back to work. Though there is still that possibility that he may be away again without me for the Bruce show. Ugh, who knew a potential part-time, 3-hour job could create so much indecision and change.

Either way, please think some positive thoughts and send some good mojo my way. Totally unrelated, but still very important…I have a new briefcase to break in!!

On the Set of the Gossip Girl Prequel

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Okay, the little guy came *this* close to being discovered. Turns out, the gal just wanted to know where we got his blinky light, safety get-up. Sorry for the fuzziness, couldn’t use flash or they would’ve kicked me out.

I’m really looking forward to this series…Lily Vanderwoodsen wild child in the 80’s in LA. Should be some fun stuff.

Calling All You Manicure Lovin’ Gals

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I have a question….how can I extend my manicure?

I just got them trimmed & polished for Friday (job/client interview) and I want them to still look great. In the meantime, I still need to change up the bedding, do some dishes (at least twice), wash my hair (at least once), have much, much typing to do and who knows what else?

Typically, polish seems to peel off my nails within a couple of hours. Regardless of the brand of polish. I think though, that since being on my thyroid meds, along with my nails being in better shape overall, they also hold onto polish longer. But I’m not so sure since I usually bring my own Sticky to use as a basecoat (it helps).

Thing is, the gal forgot on my right hand and only got my left. I need this to last until at least Friday evening…then I don’t care.

So I ask you…what do I do? Do I just need to wear rubber gloves while near water and avoid all typing or manual labor until post-meeting?
Update: never mind, the polish is already peeling – no showers, no dishwashing, just basic day to day living *sigh*