Lukewarm Is No Good

“I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. If you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good.”  

 - Roald Dahl 

Travel in 2015

We're only two months into 2015 and I already have all my travel plans set for the year. (Seriously, do not even try suggesting another trip to me  – even if it's "just" a long weekend!)

I was just in DC this past weekend for my niece Willa's first birthday, but that wasn't much a trip. 

1. The weather. It snowed 8 inches. And we got a flat tire. 
2. The trip was just for babysitting and Willa's birthday party. We didn't get out much. 

For the others, I've already got the Pinterest boards set up, the AirBNB wishlists saved and all the city guides I can find bookmarked. I heard once that we release more endorphins planning for vacation than we do while we're actually on them, and I'm sure that's true for me. #overplanneranonymous

Austin for six days in March for SXSWi. Technology, digital trends and all the tacos I can eat.

Savannah in April for a girls' weekend with my mom, sister, sister-in-law and niece. Average temperature range in April is 56-80, which is everything to me right now. 

Finally, making the trip to Nashville for a bachelorette party in May. Now, to buy cowboy boots or to not buy cowboy boots.

Summer weekends at the Tablerock Lake with my friends and family, including a longer trip when my sister, brother-in-law and niece visit in July.

This one is still tentative – but hopefully a weekend in DC in August to (you guessed it) visit my sister, brother-in-law and niece. Most trips to DC are overwhelmed with family, and it doesn't feel like I really get to see the city (or more importantly, brunch). Plus, I have never been to DC in the summer so it'll be nice to actually go outside!

And finally – this is the big one – a 10-12 day trip to the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington, B.C. Canada). I'm nicknaming this trip "wine, beer and waterfalls."

This all seems overwhelming (for my wallet and time off work), but sadly, it doesn't even cover where I wish I was going. There's no weekend in Memphis. Or a trip out to North Carolina's Outer Banks to visit my brother and sister-in-law (which I'm totally bummed about). Or a non-work summer trip to Austin. My Pacific trip doesn't extend far enough south to see the Redwoods or Napa Valley or San Francisco. And I always say that a yearly trip to Colorado is good for my soul. There's no exotic beach vacation. And there's no trip abroad.

Alas, there's always 2016.

Is It Spring Yet?

If flowers can teach themselves how to bloom after winter passes, so can you. 

— Noor Shirazie

flowers via
quote via 

Worth Waiting For

Picked up a copy of AFAR Magazine at the airport in DC this weekend, and besides it being awesome, there was this great, thought-provoking little sidebar on waiting in lines:

I once waited in line for an hour to use a Times Square bathroom. For fun. As a public relations stunt, Charmin toilet paper had installed custom stalls, a VIP rope, and a lounge. Honestly, I never wanted to get out of that line. When someone finished their business, we all cheered like proud parents. We danced to the Cha-Cha-Cha Charmin jingle with a Charmin bear. I argued the superiority of Angel Soft with total strangers. Then I went to the bathroom. We built a little community. We bonded, we partied, we celebrated our willing roles in this grotesque manifestation of capitalism, and then we went our separate ways.  

Lines are a nuisance to everyone, right? But having grown up in New York City, I’ve never thought of them that way. 

To me, lines provide order and a slower pace. I first read what has become my favorite book over four visits to Shake Shack. Lines unite people around a cause. Many people think waiting for a Cronut is silly, but do you know who doesn’t? Every damn person in line for a Cronut! Lines are even a bit romantic. I had my best-ever first date waiting for cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery. We stood shoulder to shoulder for an hour, flirting and filling awkward pauses with our excitement for red velvets.  

I say: Isn’t everything in life worth waiting for?

A Rant

I just want to go on record as saying that things like "hangover breakfasts" and giving out condoms at professional marketing events is exactly what's wrong with the industry and why our clients (or family or friends) don't respect what we do.

Thank you for making my career choice look like a frat party.

Not A One - The Young Wild

This song is so good.

And not on Spotify, which is a damn shame.

Morning Musings (13th ed.)

You know why my neighborhood is so great? Someone posted in NextDoor yesterday that the neighborhood coffee shop was struggling, and this morning when I went in it was more crowded than I'd ever seen it. I know it is only one day, but still. Way to go, Shaw.

What if you just drove to work with a big smile on your face. I mean, sure, some people would think you were crazy. But maybe it would make some other people smile. And that's a much better way to start the day, right?

Remember that what you read or see on the internet is a curated life. Even mine. We pick the photos. We choose the words. Not to mention the fact that we all have "personal brands" to build and protect these days. There's nothing wrong with that, but sometimes we forget and think that everyone else is perfect and happy and lives like that all the time. And they don't. I promise you, they don't.

Since listening to Serial, I've really been getting in to podcasts. Current faves are Slate's Working, New Tech City, Start Up Podcast, Reply All and Dinner Party Download. I also try to listen to This American Life and Wait Wait Don't Tell Me each week, just to stay relevant. I know I should write more about these podcasts and what they're about and why I like them, but in case I forget... now you know.

I started doing yoga a few months ago and love it. It has changed my life. For real. I should write more about that, too.

Was cleaning my car out last weekend and found my lost Regina Spektor CD. Fun fact: I actually lost this CD a few years ago and found it my car some months later, only to do that again for a second time. For the record, this time it was way in the back of my trunk almost stuck under the back seat. Listening to Eet like it's my job these days in case I lose the CD for a third time.
 

And yes, I understand how irrelevent losing CDs is in this day and age. I don't care. I'm old school.

Forever Young

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young

My Own Personal Hair Envy

Trying to appreciate my cute little pony and practically perfect side bangs today, but recent pictures like these aren't helping.