a fun game

Here is a fun, interactive game. Together, let’s create a story or conversation only using song lyrics. See an example below. I’ll get us started. Leave your response as a comment – and build off the previous comment.

Example #1

I’ve got hoes. I’ve got hoes. In different area codes. (Ludacris)

8-6-7-5-3-0-9, 8-6-7-5-3-0-9 (Tommy Tutone)

Billy, Billy don’t you lose my number. Cause you’re not anywhere that I can’t find you. (Phil Collins)

Every move you make. Every step you take. I’ll be watching you. (The Police)

I just can’t get you out of my head. (Kylie Minogue)

Ok, starting over. Here we go..

Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man, she brings home her pay
For love- for love (Bon Jovi)

Fun weekend in Seattle

After a fun filled weekend, my gal pals are gone. I miss them already, Seattle seems lonelier without them. We had SO much fun together! Highlights include:

• Thursday Night: Dinner at the Pink Door to Celebrate Erin P’s birthday. Drinks followed at Kells.
• Friday Night: A fun filled evening playing board games: specifically True Colors. True Colors is a really great game for people who know each other well – and who don’t get hurt feelers easily. SO MUCH FUN!
• Saturday Afternoon: Shopped downtown. Lunch at Purple Café.
• Saturday Night: Sushi and Sake Bombs at Shiku. It was my first time there and it was wonderful. Two thumbs up! Delicious sushi, creative drinks and attentive service! I’ll be back there for sure (although I’m hoping they’ll start taking reservations). After several hours at Shiku, we migrated over to the Ballard Loft.
• Sunday: Girls left. Football, laundry and pumpkin carving at Stacy and Andre’s house!

I’ll post a few weekend pics soon!

every cloud has a silver lining.

I read this post today, and I couldn’t help but get emotional. My parents divorced when I was young and it was hard – really hard. Despite their constant attempts and great parenting, it was still hard. I was sad and embarrassed. I missed my dad. I longed to be “normal”.

However, like all things, time heals. It didn’t take long for me to grow up and realize that my parents were not in love and weren’t meant for each other.  Several years later, they met my future step-parents – whom I absolutely adore. I had the pleasure of attending both my parents’ weddings; they were each very different, but equally as amazing. I’m so thrilled that my parents are happy and have found love.

I am SO lucky to have such wonderful parents and step-parents. I know that most people aren’t as fortunate as I am. Every cloud really DOES have a silver lining! Thank you Abby-Normal for sharing your story!

girls, girls, girls.

This week my college gal pals (I just LOVE saying “gal pals”), are in town! Yay! Here is a photo from our last reunion – in Las Vegas. It’s so much fun to get together and pretend like we are still in college. There will be laughing. There will be drinking. And by god, there will be dancing!

two is better than one.

As you know, fall, winter and spring in Seattle can be a bit soggy and gray. For some reason, I seem to be particularly sensitive to the gloom. Luckily, I know this about myself and every year I try to combat the weather with a sunny vacation to warm up and dry off. This year, I’m going to Mexico AND the Caribbean. TWO VACATIONS!  I’m so happy to have two trips to look forward to. If you haven’t already booked your “save yourself from Seattle” getaway – I suggest you do it now!

tough times.

I think it’s fair to say that everyone has in some way been impacted by the slowing economy: shrinking 401(k)s, home foreclosures, company layoffs, retiring parents, etc.  For the first time EVER, I actually feel relieved that I don’t own a home. My heart goes out to all of those people who have been laid off and can’t find jobs. They have no money to pay their mortgages and no hope for selling their homes. They must be terrified – I’m terrified for them! I have a friend who is being “urged” to relocate because her Seattle office is performing poorly. With a heavy heart – she has accepted. She’ll be leaving her husband, home and dog until times are better.

All of this has made me think about my own spending, savings, and financial plan (or lack thereof). I’m not completely irresponsible but I certainly could be more disciplined.  A few ideas I’ve brainstormed (none of which I’m committing to yet – I need to think about it more) : get rid of cable; be more disciplined about bringing a lunch to work; stop buying mochas; better educate myself on personal finances and develop a plan for me and Derek; track my expenditures over 4 months and analyze where I’m spending my money and where I can cut back; save more.

These are tough times. We all need to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

must respond.

I feel the need to address/respond to the post “Do something.” on Electrolicious. I read Electrolicious religiously and I have a love/hate relationship with it – just as I do with all the blogs I read.

I feel completely torn on the whole topic. On one hand, I completely understand where she is coming from. People need to DO something and feel passionate about something/anything (preferably other than TV). It’s easy to get lazy and complacent – trust me, I know. But a life of going through the motions is boring and unfulfilling. We would never make ANY progress. Get engaged with life people!

That being said, I don’t think it’s that black and white.

Balance - I think that balance is at the heart of this issue for some people. At what point do you continue striving, planning, driving ahead? And when do you relax and enjoy the moment? Sometimes I feel like everyone is so caught up IN life that they stop enjoying life. I can relate to Kristen’s comment, “While I spend plenty of time “doing” I make a conscious effort to spend some time just “being.” Sometimes you have to take the time to do nothing at all.”

Timing - There is also a timing element to consider. I know personally, there are times in my life where I have felt motivated and inspired – unstoppable. And other times where I’m just trying to get through it – exhausted. Everyone has their time to shine – their time to be engaged in personal passions and to explore them. The luckiest and most ingenious people have found ways to weave their passions into their everyday life – and get paid for them. Lucky!

Capacity to “do” – Not everyone has the same capacity or propensity to “do”. For example, I have made a commitment to maintain this blog because I love it! However, someone else might look at this choice and wonder why I don’t do something more meaningful or impactful. It’s all relative.

Perspective – I think it’s important to remember that everyone has a different perspective; including Electrolicious.  Not all of us work 3 days a week at Microsoft leaving the other 4 days for our personal projects. The majority of the world works 5 days a week, leaving little time for personal passions. Some people are working multiple jobs, are busy providing for their families and, frankly, are struggling to stay afloat.

Despite my post, I really do agree with Electrolicious. I wish people (including myself) would spend more time nurturing their passions and actively living life – rather than let life wander by. I just don’t think it’s that simple.

worst ever.

Last week I was traveling for work.  Tuesday night, we went out for a few drinks after our meetings. That night, I experienced the worst (and funniest) pick-up line ever. EVER.

SSBG = Short, Shiny Bald Guy

K= Me

SSBG: K, do you want to dance?

K: Oh, I think I’m ok. We are about to head out.

SSBG: Look K. I know you have a guy in every state. I just want to be your Alaska man.

Hehehe!!

an autumn meme

I’m a sucker for memes – feel free to answer it yourself and post it as a comment.

Have you ever been apple picking?
Duh! We live in Washington State – home of the apple; the #1 apple growing state in the US. Plus, my grandparents owned an orchard in Eastern Washington several years ago. My favorite variety is Golden Delicious.

Is there a dish you make/eat only during this time of the year?
Soup! Derek and I were going to make a different soup every week this fall. I guess we’ll start when he returns from China.

Will you attend a ‘tail gate’ party this season?
Probably.

When do you turn on the heat?

I don’t have a specific date in mind, but I bet it will be soon!

How many sweaters do you own?
Too many; 40% of which I don’t wear.

Are you fond of Nouveau Beaujolais wine?
I’ve never had it – in fact, I had to google it. Maybe I’ll give it a try!

Do you get excited about Halloween?
Eh – it’s ok.

How about Thanksgiving?
ABSOLULTEY. It is hands-down my favorite holiday. I love everything about it. The menu planning. The food preparation. The food. The family. The leftovers. It’s a low pressure holiday centered around family. What could be better?

This year, I’m spending Thanksgiving with Derek’s family. They rented a cozy cabin on Mount Baker – I can’t wait!

Is there an activity you do only in the autumn?
Watch Football.

Have you ever burned leaves?
Me personally? No. I don’t own property.

Do you own any ‘scarecrow’ decorations?
Hmm – nope. I can’t say I do. When I was 5, my dad was the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz for Halloween. I’ve never seen him dress up other than that time. Weird.

Do you plant bulbs?
Nah.

Your fondest autumn memory?
Last year, Derek and I spent a long weekend in the San Juan Islands at a cozy Bed & Breakfast. We even had a fireplace in our room – it was very romantic. We went out to scrumptious dinners, slept in late, visited a pumpkin patch, drank hot chocolate, played in a pile of leaves at a park, and went for long drives during the day. Positively perfect.

Ok, that didn’t happen. But didn’t it sound wonderful?

compromise

Conversation from last Friday:

K: You were just driving like a complete maniac! Running red lights; going the wrong way down one-way streets; driving too fast; cutting cars off; honking your horn. You are crazy and I don’t like riding with you sometimes.

(Long pause for contemplation)

D: Well, I’m not going to deny it. But sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

K: Can you do it without me in the car next time?

D: Sure.