Word has it that this video was on Jay Leno earlier this week. Of course, I missed it. But when it was sent to me, I knew I had to share it. She seems so Real Housewives of Orange County and a little less Malibu these days. You go girl!
Happy Birthday Barbie!!
Of course, now I’m really curious about that real life Malibu Dream House that Jonathan Adler has been decorating for her big day.
I know for many, when it comes to Twitter, you etiher get it, or you don’t. I’m fine with that. In fact, many people can say the same for blogging, they either get it or they just don’t get it. I have to say though, I think Twitter can not only be fun and good for business, but it can be one amazing tool.
What can’t you do on Twitter? It really can be an amamzing tool. And if you haven’t done so yet, feel free to friend me and join in on all the Twitter fun – @kat_taf
I’ve noticed that when I seem to have a lot going on (or when I seem to be under some sort of pressure or stress), that I clench my jaw. Usually at some point notice and force myself to relax my jaw, but by then it’s usually too late anyway. And yes, I’ve noticed that I’m clenching again. But hey, at least my eyes aren’t twitching this time around 😉
I’m on the verge of moving forward into a new business, so to speak. I’m only in the research, let’s talk about it phase, but I’m quite excited. Part of what makes me so excited (and probably has to do with the stress as well) is that this will essentially be my first business venture that isn’t accidental. Meaning, it’s the first business venture that I’ll be starting willingly, and properly and won’t just be riding the waves of what comes my way after being in the right place at the right time, like before. So yes, pretty exciting.
How does stress or pressure seem to present itself to you? What’s your favorite activity (or lack of activity) to help to alleviate the seeming stress? I’m thinking this week – crazy busy that it is – might be the perfect time for a pedicure break.
I’ve stolen this post from Miss Attitude who in turn stole it from Jen, the Goddess of Zen. I thought it looked like fun.
This one is simple… the items in BOLD I have accomplished; the items in italics are still on the list. The ones that I’ve crossed out…well, no way, no how, not in my lifetime.
1. Started your own blog – more like 4 or 5, but sure
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band – I’m counting this though it was really an orchestra
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower – something I really miss about NM, the shooting stars
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland – a couple of times
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo – karaoke and back in school a time or two
11. Bungee Jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty – it wasn’t open to the public when we were there
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France — skipped the Louvre when we were in Paris
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb – hell if I know, I don’t remember much about my childhood, but we spent many summers on my cousin’s farm
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice – and have the photos to prove it!
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run – does it count if you’re playing with your 4th grade students?
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors – just realized that since I’m part Irish that I can actually mark this one as done!
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing – have a slight fear of heights, not the height itself, but the up and down part
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant – no, but I’ve paid for the car behind me at toll booths more times than I can recall
44. Visited Africa – no desire to
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance – rode with one of my students
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris – we ran out of time, but I did see it up close and personal
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling – love snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie – seriously?
56. Visited the Great Wall of China – no real desire
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia – not really on my list of places to visit
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching – have seen whales while watching for them, but not yet on a whale watching cruise
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving – would really like to, but I’ve got a messed up back and I’m afraid a landing might make it worse
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check – hello? I call that period in my life “grad school”
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar – at my brother’s wedding (her family is Russian)
72. Pieced a quilt – no thanks
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone – an elbow is a bone, right?
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book – plan to start working on it this year
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem – not on my list of places to go
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible – uh, no thanks, though I have tried
86. Visited the White House – not inside
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating – but I’ve eaten quite a few freshly prepared animals on my cousin’s farm (PS – I don’t like my chicken when you can still see part of feathers)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life – drowning kids count, right?
90. Sat on a jury – no, but I’ve been to jury duty often enough
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit Class action lawsuit against a former employer – no, but I did report him to the IRS!
98. Owned a cell phone – yeah, um…okay
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day – quite a few to be honest
I”m not sure if other cities do it, but from time to time (couldn’t find the general details online, just the ’09 specifics) LA restaurants join together and participate in DineLA’s Restaurant Week – which is actually typically two weeks. Orange County also participates, but I don’t know the specifics.
During this time, many of the fancier or pricier restaurant, that you might otherwise be saving for a special occasion, offer up special three-course, fixed price menus. It’s a great deal and lots of fun. Everyone that I know that has participated all loved that they got to try some place new, that they might not have otherwise tried, at a discounted rate. The prices break down as follows for lunch and dinner:
Deluxe Dining: $16 $26
Premier Dining: $22 $34
Fine Dining: $28 $44
This year is the first year that I’ve participated. Interestingly enough, it’s also the first year that it was extended beyond just the allotted two weeks, so in fact, it’s also the first year that many of my friends have attended as well. I went to Madeleine’s (Yelp) in Pasadena for a pre-movie, girls night out dinner and then I did a business lunch with a girlfriend at Pinot Bistro (Yelp) in Studio City (or is that Sherman Oaks over there?).
In both cases, I was eating at “premier dining” restaurants that I probably would not have otherwise visited. In both cases, the meal was incredible and the service was great (I was afraid the waitstaff would look down on the lowly bargain diner, but so not the case). They are both someplace I’d love to return to at some point with my husband.
Earlier this week, the LA Times put out an article on recession priced dine out deals. While they weren’t quite focused on cheap dining (like the Stand’s Dollar Dog Specials or Mo’s Monday half-off the entire menu or Edison’s Soup Kitchen’s 35 cent special cocktails with free grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup)…they were indeed focused on some great bargains.
So while we’re all tightening out purse strings, it’s nice to know that there still are some good dining deals out there to be had. When I first moved in with my now husband, we would almost exclusively dine out using the Entertainment Book coupons. I have a friend that tends to frequent restaurants that allow for BYOB to save some money. What works in your part of town – or the country?
But more importantly…What’s your secret to saving money when dining out?
But I’m totally loving my boxed white sangria (from Target).
It’s even better when mixed half and half with orange-flavored seltzer water.
Yummy and oh, so classy.
PS – is anyone else concerned that they also sell juice-box sized wine??
* turns out I must be ashamed afterall since I forgot to say that I was NOT ashamed *sigh*
Or at least that’s what the old childhood song taught us. Thing is, I’m learning that as an adult, it’s not always so easy to keep those old (or those new) friendships going. Sometimes, life just happens. Kids are born. Marriages end. People get transferred. Families get complicated. Time in the day starts to run out.
How do you keep relationships going?
I’ll be the first to admit that while I have some great friends and many of those friends are friends I’ve had in my life for many, many years, I don’t necessarily have friends from my childhood. Okay, have one great friend from high school that I’m still in touch with and now thanks to Facebook, I’ve reconnected with an old elementary school friend online. My HS friend and I talk regularly, send emails and get together when we can (though now that he got married and is on the family track, that will more than likely change).
I also have great friends that I met as an adult. Both of these are long distance (one is even international) relationships and have been for over 10 years now. We don’t talk on the phone much. We don’t get to see each other often. And we rarely get around to emailing. But you know, every time we do talk or get together, it’s as if we were just together last week. Things just carry on as if we see and talk to each other all the time. I love that.
I also love that when it’s possible, we do meet up. I’ve flown to Dallas to hang out with my international teaching friend to be able to spend time with her. Last year, she met me in the wine country for the day so we could hang out and introduce the menfolk (and in each case, meet the other’s significant other). My GA friend I get to see more frequently since I try to visit my dad every couple of years. She’s an angel tough and no matter how busy her family and work life can get, she makes sure we meet for lunch at least once and offers up her spare bedroom so I don’t have to spend all my time trapped with my dad (I’m sure you all know what that can feel like).
The best part about friendship is knowing that you’ll always be there for each other…happy or sad, good or bad. As my girlfriend and I like to say…It’s in the contract!
But what happens when friendships start to become work?
I have a friend that I would do anything for. She’s a new mom, lives with her parents and has some serious family and medical stuff to deal with. I love spending time with her and her family. Thing is, she won’t return calls. And she won’t return emails or texts (or cards). I know that she’s the type that tends to hide away when things get difficult (I saw this when she was having marriage issues) and I can respect that. But it’s getting old.
A one-sided friendship isn’t a friendship at all. And well, I wouldn’t let my spouse treat me this way, why would I let a friend? I’ve reached the point that I feel like I’ve just got to give up and walk away. I’ll still be there if there ever comes a time when she might need me, but I can’t keep spending all this time and energy reaching out to her when she can’t even take a moment to reply to an email, text or voicemail. It’s tough though having to make a decision like that, knowing that I think of her often.
So it’s got me wondering…as an adult, how many close friends would you say you have in your life and how often do you connect? Have you ever had to quit on a friendship?
Okay, I’m going to try this again and take a moment to get some specifics laid out. I mentioned last week that I was looking for some “can’t live without it” products. I even tried to tempt you with lovely gifts if you could help me. Thing is, I didn’t get too many responses – not that I don’t appreciate the responses, I just figure that if I’m going to give something cool away, then I want there to be some competition going on (or I’d feel bad that 1 out of 3 won and the other 2 didn’t).
So we’ll try this again…
Right now, I’m working on a few things now we’re I’m contacting different vendors and companies for giveaway product and sponsorship (you have registered for the many contests, right?), and it got me thinking that maybe you, my loyal readers (even you, my lovely lurkers!) could help me come up with some new, or maybe something I haven’t yet thought of, products and companies to reach out to.
So I ask…what products do you use in and out of your home and office that you just love? What can’t you live without? What are you always recommending to friends and family?
To tempt you to reply with as many cool things as possible, I’ll pick one person at random and give away a $10 Starbucks card and a secret, fun surprise (and more than likely unclaimed) item that I have here at the house – and trust me, there’s plenty of goodies hanging around this apartment that I had planned to eventually use for a CC contest, but haven’t gotten around to it yet — to say nothing of the many unclaimed prizes.
RULES: You may enter as many times as you wish and you’ll score entries (chances to win) as outlined below:
Thanks in advance for ALL your help!
Remember to go to the original post to leave your comments (they’re turned off on this post).
Thanks to Facebook, I’ve recently connected with three old friends from my past. Each friend said that when they Googled my maiden name, nothing came up (mind you, my married name will give you over 10 solid pages of results thanks to press releases and articles I’ve written and people I’ve interviewed). So it got me thinking about what I could do to get my maiden name out there in Googleland.
With the help of some of my Twitter friends, here’s what I came up with:
I had the first one done for a couple years now (and I notice that many social media profiles now – especially those that cater to women – have a place for your maiden name). I’ll get on doing the blog one at some later date. I figured right now, it was easiest create a second (um…fourth) Twitter acount and feed two of my three blogs there. We’ll see how things go over the next couple of weeks.
So I ask you…do you care if people from your past can’t find you through Google? And if youdo care, what have you done to make it easier for old friends to find you online?
Remember back in 2005 when INXS was searching for a new lead singer to replace Michael Hutchence? The band seized the reality TV bandwagon and took the search to TV. For weeks we got to listen to some great singers adding their twist to the classic INXS songs.
In the end, they went with Mr. Attitude himself, JD Fortune. While I’ll admit that he sounded great, I thought he was a bit too cocky and immature. I was rooting for the other guy. But whatever, it wasn’t my band after all and I’ll still have my memories from that show back in the 80’s.
Well, turns out, after 23 or so months of being on the road together, JD says that he’s been fired from the band. He reported on Canada’s Entertainment Tonight that he’s essentially broke and living out of his car or on friend’s couches now.
Really, 23 months on tour and you’ve got nothing to show for it? I always thought it was a temporary gig to begin with and that there were no promises beyond that one album.
I think I love this quote from BBC News best as it really seems to sum things up…”the singer admitted his dismissal may have been linked to a cocaine habit he developed while working with the band.” But yeah, you have no idea why you were fired and they screwed you man. Whatever.
