A Little Inspiration

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A high school friend posted this on Facebook, and I felt I needed to pass it along.

Do not become subservient. Do not dwell on every tiny setback in the course of pursuing your chosen path. To do so would be foolish. Victory or defeat is determined by our entire lives. Moreover, our final years are the most crucial. What is enviable about the pretentious rich? What is great about conceited celebrities? What is admirable about political leaders who gained their positions of power by treating others with contempt? Dig right where you stand, for there lies a rich wellspring! - Daisaku Ikeda

One Thing a Day

I came across a blog yesterday, My Thing A Day, and I loved it. A simple concept - do one thing a day that makes a big difference in your life. I'm not so sure about the "big" thing - but I do like the thought of one thing a day that's meaningful to ME.  It could be as simple as applying for one job, or one I really need to do - mail a baby gift to the 5 month old twins I've known about for a year now.

And, it will make me blog. Or it should.

So I think I'll add a page to this blog and do my "one thing." Even if it's boring to my one reader, it should mean something to me!

Being a Jerk vs Being Direct

The Daily Beast posted the classic story on the perception of women in the workplace when they are assertive, direct and less apologetic. The results - women who cut out the niceties such as Please, Thanks and I'm Sorry often get more respect in the workplace -to a point. Push that assertiveness to the point of being disagreeable, and it will come back to bite women. But not men.

I see why being assertive works. Completely. It makes total sense. If it's my job to delegate something, and your job to do it, I really don't need to say please and thank you, nor should I be apologetic for tasking you. That's doing my job, not being mean. And yet, I still nearly always sign my emails with a Thank You, and look for a "Please" from my manager and colleagues when they would like me to do something. I rarely get this from my manager (nor a thank you), and I find it incredibly aggravating.

I guess I am a sucker for being polite. When a greeter in a store opens the door, or wishes me a good morning, I always return the salutation, or look them in the eye and say thank you. It's not pandering, or being meek, it's being NICE. My mother the psychotherapist would call it co-dependent. I still call it being nice.

Interestingly,  when males fight or bully others it is more physical and direct. Female bullying is often referred to as "relational" bullying, and we fight on a much more emotional plane. Sociologically, women make "everything" a  relationship (I know, major generalization).

I've succeeded throughout my career because I am great at building relationships, and caring about my customers. Within those relationships I am appreciative and of course polite, but I am also direct and clearly define my expectations. That is why I succeed. It's how I am able to increase sales, close long-standing business in the pipeline and affect customer (donor) loyalty. I make the ask - I don't apologize for it at all.

One afternoon with my colleagues waiting to go to lunch and literally lined up at my cubicle, I asked my process champion at UPS what it would take to get them a contact. Nothing more, nothing less. She right then said she would purchase the product at XXX price, and I should get her a contract that day. My boss' eyes just about popped out of his head when he heard me openly ask for the sale (we were not usually that direct), but of course he was terribly pleased with the result. And of course, I thanked her at the end of the call!

Clearly, there is a place for direct communication. Things get done when you say what you need to say. But there's no excuse for not thanking someone for their contribution or assistance. And  there's no need to demand things rudely when a simple "please" will go so far in their mind.

And on that note, thank you for reading, and oh, please help me find a job!

Help Me Hate Winter A Little Less

I need your help.  Well, I don’t really need your help (check back here often, as someday I personally will need your help, I know), but there are a lot of people around the Denver metro area who need your help!

I’ve been a bit inspired by Dave Price, the weather guy on the CBS Early Show. Yes, of course, he’s an adorable member of the Tribe, on whom I have a gigantic TV anchor crush, but that’s totally beside the point.  Right now he’s doing his second annual “No Way Home” segment for the show, where he has to get from the West Coast (in this case, Anchorage, AK) back to the GM Building in New York City in a week.

There are two basic rules to his trip: he can’t fly more than 1,000 miles, and he can’t just be given stuff – he has to earn it. To say Dave’s had a rough go of it would be an understatement and a cliché.  It’s been, an “adventure,” and I’ve been geekily following him on twitter, and the CBS Early Show site, and while funny, you do kinda feel bad for the guy.

Twice he has lost his coat, and he’s not even east of the Rockies yet. And it’s cold out there. But let’s be honest – he’s walking around with a camera crew, and probably is afforded a lot more liberties than say a homeless family or vet, right?

Some of you know that I hate winter. OK – hate is a strong word, so I strongly dislike winter. A lot. I complain about walking the dogs in the morning, or having to walk from the gym to the car. But I have a place to work, a place to sleep, and I can always stop for an overpriced specialty coffee if I am really cranky. So many people here in the metro area don’t. They must really hate winter. And this is where you come in.

I am collecting new and gently used coats for folks in the Denver Metro Area.  I have a closet full of coats that I really don’t wear that often, ok AT ALL, and that’s just a starting point.  If you are more organized than I am, and you’ve already cleaned your closet, then visit your local charity thrift/second hand shop and help two groups at once!  

If you’d like to help, please send me an e-mail at ADDcrafter@gmail.com, or find me on twitter.  I’ll even come pick them up from you, or meet you half-way if you live in south nowhere or something like that (I don’t really “do” south of Belleview, as again, some of you know).

I don’t have a firm goal yet, but I am thinking 100 coats would be a good starting point, and pretty darn easy to hit. In fact, I think it's a totally ninny goal.  I guess as a social media geek (and by no means a self appointed guru), I’d also really love to see this go a little viral, so please tell your friends, family and followers. Perhaps they can do the same thing where they live.

Thanks in advance for your help – let’s make this winter a little warmer for Denver’s less fortunate! 

Some Things That Came To Mind This Week

I had some epiphanies this week. Well, not all of them were really epiphanies, some were more realizations that came during strange moments (like in the middle of a wing eating contest) which made them feel far more important and relevant.  

I was just going to Tweet them out, but then I realized that it would be a little bit more like a Top 10 list. Since those aren't so Tweetable, I thought I'd just put them down here. Plus people have been asking me to keep up on this thing a little more, so here goes.

Things that dawned on me this week, otherwise known as realizations and epiphanies (in no particular order):

1. Planning is for schmucks. Really. I mean, if you are in control of the whole plan, then by all means it's great, but if there's a moving part, don't even bother. 
2. I will not chase shiny objects - whether known quantities or not. Really. I'm fine with being the mouse (coincidentally my nick-name as a kid).
3. We change a lot as we age, but I do think there's a core inside you that doesn't change. You may just suppress it without realizing it. That said, I drink like I did in college, and still lack a lot of self confidence (but see point 12).
4. You can take a little black dress to a business meeting (sensible black chunky heels), your own charity event (sexy do me heels the boys all love), and a western formal with the richest woman in Denver riding her horse through dinner (shit-kickers from a garage sale).
5. 43 wings SOUNDS like a lot, and it is, but I can eat more, so long as there is not a time constraint like those crazy competitive eaters use. And I will be hungry and thinking of food within 12 hours. 
6. I may be a snarky bitch at times, but it's awesome to see someone you've helped or mentor achieve something they may never have thought possible. 
7. Gin can replace vodka in certain situations, with the right company; and I'll add that I need to win Powerball so I can be a bar fly/rat. 
8. I really do love being treated like a VIP, even if there's no reason to do so, and I could really get used to it.
9. I do not like to cook, so don't ask me what's for dinner. I'll answer cereal, and mean it. Seriously.
10. Few things compare to being wanted, liked, appreciated and/or loved. Few things also compare with having someone really pissed at you. I'll stick with the former. 
11. I still love being preppy, and preppy boys still make me melt. Nantucket Reds, anyone?
12. I can fake my way through a lot of crap. Really, really well. 

Bacon Jam

My job has one benefit - I get to look for new and innovative restaurants. I found Rack & Rye about a month or so ago - maybe longer, and couldn't wait to try it. The menu looked unique and plain and simply yummy.
We hit it this afternoon at around 4:30, and were the only patrons. Not too much of an issue for me, except I need this place to succeed!

From the moment I saw the menu, I had to try the Bacon Jam. I had no clue what it was, but anything with bacon has to be good. It arrived with the bacon jam in an espresso mug, a sliced, toasted baguette and a sliced, however unripe, tomato. I took a tiny nibble of the Bacon Jam (I have some major food issues - who knew what this really was?), and it tasted a lot like the absolute best part of a baby back rib. A bit chewy, smokey and just delicious. As I mentioned, the tomato would have really accented the jam had it been ripe, or if not, had salt been available on the table.

It turns out Bacon Jam is bacon and carmelized onions in a balsamic reduction. Not rocket science, but at $4 during happy hour, it totally hit the spot. I "paired" it - there as no science to this for me - with an Odell 90 Schilling, and the salt, sweet and crunch rocked my world.

I hope Rack & Rye makes it. My husband isn't a fan of small plates, as he feels he needs to eat about 8 of them, and is out $50 before he knows it. For me, I love the variety. Now I guess I just need a different date!

By the way, Bacon Jam is not on my performance diet, but it, along with the Lobster Mac 'n Cheese at The Corner Office and the Fried Chicken at Steuben's Food Service are amazing eats that I could go for any day!

Resolutions...I'm really trying to stick to them!

So here we are, just under two weeks into 2010 and I haven't exactly fallen off the wagon, though I think I may have to work a little harder to keep up with everything. Focus!

Hooks and Needles

1. Chocolate Vanilla Swirl Blanket. This is a baby blanket for the wife of an old college friend. They know they are having a boy, so I wanted to keep it kinda neutral. I made this same blanket for another friend, and it's a great soft knit, that works up quickly (and uses a nice bit of stash). Once I am done with all of this stash-busting, I'd like to make this in a larger version for the living room, or try it in some different colors!

2. Flat Feet Socks - this project is adored by my beagle/shepherd mix, Veruca Salt. Three times she has destroyed this project - but only the needles (size 3 circs from Knit Picks). She manages to not damage the yarn and I can even save the stitches, but I may never get this set done!

3. Lion Brand Sock-Ease socks in Cotton Candy. Ugh - this pink was a lot more pink than I thought! It's a straight ribbed sock I started on the plane to Vegas back in December. It's knitting up quickly, but I need to get it off the needles, especially as I now need those 3's for the Flat Feet!

4. Various crochet facecloths. I want to make these and sell them on ArtFire.com. That said, I don't want to do anything with ArtFire.com until my stash is depleted. These are a quick project if I am less than inspired on anything else.

5. I forgot to add that I am working on some mats for my dogs' bowls. These are felted with Lion Brand Fisherman wool, which I have to confess I bought on sale a few weeks ago. It's a project I have been wanting to undertake for months, and it's a mindless knit that has no deadline.

From Getting Back Into Shape to Running and Ultra
While preparing for the Surf City Half Marathon, I was able to get a free ticket to Austin to run the 3M half matathon Janaury 24th. It will be a quick trip to see my great friend Melissa and her family, run 13 miles, and see the wonderful city of Austin! I will also get in a long run, and be better prepared for the half marathon in Huntington Beach two weeks later.

A few months ago, Runners World Magazine had an article on the best Ultra events for beginners. There was one race that totally interested me, the Lean Horse in South Dakota. There is a 50 mile and a 50K option (and 100 miles, but that's not an option for me at all), and I am not sure which one I want to do yet, but that is my goal for 2010. My husband was looking at doing an Ironman event on the same day, but he has since changed his mind, and is looking at a local Half Ironman instead, which was mighty convenient. Maybe. Now I have to run a long, long way.

It's back to the baby blanket so I can move on to some other projects - I have a LOT more yarn in my stash than I ever knew. I have a feeling it's going to be afghan city around here!