I asked for your help, and here's what you said:
*Southeast- The winner and with 37% of you picking this location. You must all be from the Southeast... I do think that I left a piece of my heart in North Carolina though. Strongly considering the move east again.
*Northeast- The Northeast was the second place winner with 22% of votes. Very surprising. Too cold up there guys!
*NorCal- 17% of the votes, making San Francisco the third most preferred location. I thought Norcal would be in the top 3 for sure.
*SoCal- 14% of the votes-I love you SoCal, but I have to see what else is out there.
*Northwest- 3 votes. How sad. I thought the Northwest would win for sure.
Well folks, I am taking all of this into consideration as I plan for the next half of my year. Until then, you're just gonna have to follow where my patent pumps take me next- I just updated my schedule!
January 31, 2010
Next stop: Southeast?
January 25, 2010
Travel Obsession #5
The Classic Pashmina: Traveling to a cold climate and need a scarf? Going out on a hot date and need a colorful accessory? Flying for 5 hours and need a comfy pillow or blanket to make the flight enjoyable? I love traveling with pashminas, in a variety of colors. Their multi-functional use makes them a must have for all female travelers out there, although I guess guys, you could use them too. I have lots of pahsminas, but my favorites are black, purple and coral.
January 23, 2010
Frequent Flyer Points
WOW! It seems as if the Southeast is winning on the re-location map! Somewhat surprised... sort of thought NorCal would win. Hmmm... still a couple more days to vote- be heard!!
I'm planning future travel and just looked at my frequent flyer points. In the last week they increased about 10,000 miles! All thanks to the Beehive trip of course... I'm probably going to use them in a trip to visit them later in the year though. Get excited Five.
Tomorrow, I will earn almost 1000 points (on United of course- my preference for airlines after Southwest) flying from Indianapolis to Oakland. What a deal. And then a week later, 500 more for flying from Sacramento to Santa Barbara via Los Angeles. And then after that, I will travel east again for a little Valetines day visit with the Charleston crowd... they must be the ones voting "Southeast." That will be another 1000 miles there and back. That's almost 15,000 points earned since the New Year. Awesome.
For those of you who have seen George Clooney's latest film, "Up in the Air," I thankfully don't "have a number I'm going for," but I do want to reiterate his statement on flying that really, it is all about the points. Oh, and free drink coupons. Thanks Southwest.
I'm planning future travel and just looked at my frequent flyer points. In the last week they increased about 10,000 miles! All thanks to the Beehive trip of course... I'm probably going to use them in a trip to visit them later in the year though. Get excited Five.
Tomorrow, I will earn almost 1000 points (on United of course- my preference for airlines after Southwest) flying from Indianapolis to Oakland. What a deal. And then a week later, 500 more for flying from Sacramento to Santa Barbara via Los Angeles. And then after that, I will travel east again for a little Valetines day visit with the Charleston crowd... they must be the ones voting "Southeast." That will be another 1000 miles there and back. That's almost 15,000 points earned since the New Year. Awesome.
For those of you who have seen George Clooney's latest film, "Up in the Air," I thankfully don't "have a number I'm going for," but I do want to reiterate his statement on flying that really, it is all about the points. Oh, and free drink coupons. Thanks Southwest.
January 22, 2010
What I'm listening to. Right now.
You know me. I listen to the same stuff ALL the time, ie. U2, Sting, Doobie Brothers, Jimmy Buffet, John Mayer. I’m not too creative, but I know what I like so that’s good I guess. As my dear cousin would put it, “it’s time for you to crawl out from under your rock Britt and discover the real music out there.” I know. He is right. He is right all the time actually, I just don’t like arguing with him. However, thanks to him and some other musically inclined folks, I’ve discovered my new favorites for 2010 and all my time on the road.
-The Black Keys- bluesy rock with an edge. I listen to them when I’m trying to be productive.
-Owl City- I thought this one man show was maybe on acid when I first listened to him, but it’s all really upbeat and clever. I like listening to it when I’ve had a particularly rough day because it makes me so happy.
-The Stranglers- Not the greatest name, but flouncy, flowy music that is just feel good stuff. It goes with the background and fits in anywhere where you need ambient noise.
-Teddybears- Dashboard-esque. That’s all I have to say right now though. Still researching and forming my opinion of them, but enjoying them too.
-The Flaming Lips- My favorite song, “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.” Yah, when I first read that I was like… really? But it’s got a decent beat and tells a nice story. All their stuff is very laid back, just how I like my tuneage.
I’m up for more suggestions and artists to explore though, so leave me a comment if you’d like to share what your favorites are. I like everything except for really hard rock and super abstract stuff. Like I said, you know me, I’m easy going, you’d know what I’d like listening to on the road. The Organization has so many songs and they very often get stuck in my head, so I’m open to all distractions from the charming, clapping and singing and smiling that I’m exposed too on a regular basis.
-The Black Keys- bluesy rock with an edge. I listen to them when I’m trying to be productive.
-Owl City- I thought this one man show was maybe on acid when I first listened to him, but it’s all really upbeat and clever. I like listening to it when I’ve had a particularly rough day because it makes me so happy.
-The Stranglers- Not the greatest name, but flouncy, flowy music that is just feel good stuff. It goes with the background and fits in anywhere where you need ambient noise.
-Teddybears- Dashboard-esque. That’s all I have to say right now though. Still researching and forming my opinion of them, but enjoying them too.
-The Flaming Lips- My favorite song, “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.” Yah, when I first read that I was like… really? But it’s got a decent beat and tells a nice story. All their stuff is very laid back, just how I like my tuneage.
I’m up for more suggestions and artists to explore though, so leave me a comment if you’d like to share what your favorites are. I like everything except for really hard rock and super abstract stuff. Like I said, you know me, I’m easy going, you’d know what I’d like listening to on the road. The Organization has so many songs and they very often get stuck in my head, so I’m open to all distractions from the charming, clapping and singing and smiling that I’m exposed too on a regular basis.
January 20, 2010
Throw a dart at the map
The polls are back and I need your help…
Being Ms. World Traveler, I am of course extremely open to the idea of moving to a new city for the next chapter in my life. New job, new city? I can’t be living out of a suitcase forever! Here’s my requirements now, so you can help me make the best decision… coastal state, by a major airport and big city, BUT also with some open space, country side-ish if you will. I have to be able to go places, but have my own, quiet space too. As per post below, inclement weather is not preferred, but tolerable.
So, cast your vote. Where will my patent pumps go next? Granted wherever I go, there’s gonna be a lot of them to move. Good thing I’m good at packing. VOTE NOW on the right. You have one week.
Being Ms. World Traveler, I am of course extremely open to the idea of moving to a new city for the next chapter in my life. New job, new city? I can’t be living out of a suitcase forever! Here’s my requirements now, so you can help me make the best decision… coastal state, by a major airport and big city, BUT also with some open space, country side-ish if you will. I have to be able to go places, but have my own, quiet space too. As per post below, inclement weather is not preferred, but tolerable.
So, cast your vote. Where will my patent pumps go next? Granted wherever I go, there’s gonna be a lot of them to move. Good thing I’m good at packing. VOTE NOW on the right. You have one week.
Singing (barefoot) in the Rain
We may be able to handle forest fires and earthquakes, but the slightest drizzle and we Californians will slink away in fear. We can handle traffic on the 405, movie star governors who run the state into bankruptcy and young starlets who lead wild and crazy social lives, etc., but drizzle? Never. Well, today we had a lot more than drizzle, in fact we had torrential downpours, flash floods, mudslides and even… a tornado. I was out working on UCLA’s campus today and got caught in the torrential downpour (being reported on the news as the “STORM OF 2010” by the way). Because Southern California campuses don’t experience rain often, they don’t have good drainage systems, and because they don’t have drainage systems, the campus floods. Flooding equals puddles, and puddles mean wet shoes. Well, this world traveling, patent pump lover didn’t want to get her shoes wet today. They were canvas, with adorable zipper bows and extremely moisture absorbent, ie. super cute. SO, during today’s storms I walked over a MILE back to where I was staying, BAREFOOT, because I didn’t want to get my shoes wet. They also had no slip guard so I didn’t want to eat it in a puddle, but really, I just didn’t want to mess my shoes up. Now tell me, is that commitment or what?
On the flipside of walking home in the pouring rain and looking like a wet rat when I finally arrived back home, I did have a diet coke and a string cheese, the famous diet of a traveling consultant if you didn’t know. A mere hour later, the rain let up and the sun began shining beautifully from out behind the clouds. It looked like the picture perfect California afternoon that visitors only dream of. Perfect timing too, because as The Organizations recruitment event approached, the weather let up and people were happy again sans the rain. We Californians, we just aren’t the same without all that sunshine.
Funny to think that a mere year ago I’d be happy to brave the snow on a walk to work in a pea coat and wellington’s, but now I don’t dare go out in the rain, even if it’s drizzling. My weak California tolerance for inclement weather has returned and I love it.
Today’s lesson: don’t forget to pack umbrella and rain coat alongside patent pumps. And maybe, don’t wear (cute) canvas shoes in the rain.
On the flipside of walking home in the pouring rain and looking like a wet rat when I finally arrived back home, I did have a diet coke and a string cheese, the famous diet of a traveling consultant if you didn’t know. A mere hour later, the rain let up and the sun began shining beautifully from out behind the clouds. It looked like the picture perfect California afternoon that visitors only dream of. Perfect timing too, because as The Organizations recruitment event approached, the weather let up and people were happy again sans the rain. We Californians, we just aren’t the same without all that sunshine.
Funny to think that a mere year ago I’d be happy to brave the snow on a walk to work in a pea coat and wellington’s, but now I don’t dare go out in the rain, even if it’s drizzling. My weak California tolerance for inclement weather has returned and I love it.
Today’s lesson: don’t forget to pack umbrella and rain coat alongside patent pumps. And maybe, don’t wear (cute) canvas shoes in the rain.
January 15, 2010
More than just networking...
One of my favorite parts about working for The Organization is that I’m always surrounded by people who I feel comfortable with- not just in a conversation or during a workshop, but really comfortable with- giving advice, seeking support, sharing stories, etc. The bond that we share is so reassuring, and I’m going to be both saddened and scared to work in an environment where I lose that special connection. Granted, there will always be other things which we can relate to one another with, eg. wine, travel, art, family structure, obsession with shoes, music, yada yada yada… but right now, I feel pretty special to have this unique connection at work. A very sisterly “corporate culture” if you will…..
In the last week, I’ve worked with a handful of volunteers and alumnae from The Organization who have really given a lot to the efforts here at UCLA. I’m thankful for them for their commitment, innovation, enthusiasm, but most importantly, their friendship. I know that I will not be working for The Organization forever, but I do know that these women will be my friends for longer then my tenure at the office.
Short, sweet, and to the point.
In the last week, I’ve worked with a handful of volunteers and alumnae from The Organization who have really given a lot to the efforts here at UCLA. I’m thankful for them for their commitment, innovation, enthusiasm, but most importantly, their friendship. I know that I will not be working for The Organization forever, but I do know that these women will be my friends for longer then my tenure at the office.
Short, sweet, and to the point.
January 12, 2010
January 10, 2010
Back in the saddle again...
… and what a hard saddle it was to get onto after practically a month off!!! To be quite honest, I was dreading heading back to work. I wasn’t sure what it was going to be like when I started up again, especially after such a long break. I was anxious when it came to packing all my things up for 5 weeks, and am sure that even now, I’ve left something at home. I was a tiny bit tired of traveling, which was also a huge surprise to me, and not looking forward to living out of a suitcase. (I’ve gotten used to spreading out into a room and having ALL of my shoes to choose from in my closet.) Most nerve-racking though, was surely how many e-mails were going to be in my inbox when I turned my work computer back on.
Well, what a waste of time to be worrying about all those things! Come Saturday when I officially came back on the grid, I drove down to LAX to pick up another one of my patent pumped colleagues. It was wonderful to catch up with her, hear about her vacation and be “on the road” with another consultant. We headed down to Fullerton where we met up with another consultant and a whole group of motivated, energized and excited women from The Organization. They were on a retreat, outlining their 5-year plan, preparing for recruitment and enjoying the society of their sisters. :D I was immediately ready for work again, feeding off of their bright conversations, cheery dispositions and growing love for The Organization. What a great day back at work- I hope that kinda stuff happens for everyone!
Now I must get back to my 100+ emails... I wasn't wrong about that!
Well, what a waste of time to be worrying about all those things! Come Saturday when I officially came back on the grid, I drove down to LAX to pick up another one of my patent pumped colleagues. It was wonderful to catch up with her, hear about her vacation and be “on the road” with another consultant. We headed down to Fullerton where we met up with another consultant and a whole group of motivated, energized and excited women from The Organization. They were on a retreat, outlining their 5-year plan, preparing for recruitment and enjoying the society of their sisters. :D I was immediately ready for work again, feeding off of their bright conversations, cheery dispositions and growing love for The Organization. What a great day back at work- I hope that kinda stuff happens for everyone!
Now I must get back to my 100+ emails... I wasn't wrong about that!
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