On My Mind Today...

And the move begins...

2012-01-29T20:22:00.000-08:00

I remember my very first apartment.

It was 1991, I had just moved back to San Luis Obispo from Switzerland and moved in to a 2 bedroom with my friends Betty and Karen. Since I was a college student, mom and dad were paying for my schooling and I wanted to go as cheap as possible. I split a room with a woman--who's name I can't remember--and paid $179/mo. The apartment was straight out of the 70s with puke green carpet and reddish gold linoleum. Back then, it didn't really matter to me what the place looked like--we kept it clean and I could live like a student. My second place in SLO, a year later, was more into the 80s with gray shag carpet and gray linoleum. For the time, the place was considered THE place to live. It had vaulted ceilings and a loft. I still miss living in that place (speaking of which--I am so looking forward to hanging out with my roomie Tracy from that year who still lives in the area.)

So, its 2012, 20 years later and I've spent the last 2 weeks looking for places in SLO. Unfortunately, it seems that none of the places have graduated past that 70s and 80s look. Since its a captive rental market with students, owners haven't felt the need to make updates. I can't tell you how many places had ovens older than me. I almost took a place in Shell Beach--a larger two bedroom with nice views and lots of light but still in the 80s with its fluorescent lights and linoleum in the kitchen and bathrooms. I wouldn't mind if it all got cleaned really well, but after living in such a beautiful place in Minneapolis where my amenities were new AND contemporary (tile, hardwood, etc) I just felt so let down. I can't believe owners haven't caught on to the growing amount of people and couples my age moving back to the area after experiencing bigger city life. If I was an owner, I would update my place to accommodate these people and charge a bit more instead of cramming students into it who don't care and will trash it with parties. I'm so glad my place in MPLS is rented out to a couple who really cares about the place and I know will take good care of it.

Anyhow, the last place I looked at was a small 1920s Spanish style bright pink bungalow. Not a lot of curb appeal considering the grass is dry due to drought and no trees except for the large Palm in the backyard. But inside, it was a little gem of a place. Dark, hardwood floors, tiled bathroom, windows and a washer dryer. It had so much character and although the storage space is minimal, it would suit me. It has the cutest backyard where I picture several happy hours with the palm tree and fence lit up with white lights. I figure storage won't be a problem thanks to the carport I share with the neighbor and the patio space. This little house fits right into San Luis Obispo's style and I'm glad I found it.

The location is close to downtown and even campus where I will be working with the GRCi to design my book cover and press check the pages. So now, I can't wait to move which will be in three weeks. My job doesn't officially transfer until March 1, but I will be taking two weeks off at the end of Feb to enjoy the experience.

So the next few weeks will be very busy as I try to say goodbye to all my friends up here, throw a CAbi party, attend a Social Distortion concert, attend happy hours and drinks with friends and fit time in to see my special someone. Another plus of moving to SLO is that I will be super close to my two little monkeys in Thousand Oaks. I can't wait!

January

2012-01-08T22:24:00.000-08:00

Well, the start to 2012 didn't go off completely as I expected, but I did ring in the New Year in the best possible way down in SLO. However, losing my cat Piper to a sudden stroke was so completely unexpected that I'm trying to adjust to not seeing her everyday. Losing a pet is like losing a member of the family. RIP Piper.

I wish she was coming with me on my new adventure, but it is not to be.

That leads me to wonder if things really do happen for a reason. What do you think? Do you believe we are on a path carved out by the fates or by some guardian angel sitting on our shoulders or do you think we have complete control over our destinies? I'm somewhere in the middle. While I believe in the free will concept, sometimes I feel like something is leading me a certain way. For instance, I wanted so desperately to move to SLO but couldn't figure out how to do it without quitting my job. Once I got the book deal and started seeing someone there, my manager called me up out of the blue to tell me a new territory was opening up and if I would like to take it. Coincidence? Probably--but wow. All of the sudden, everything in my life was taking me back to SLO as if there was a reason I needed to be there. Strange, but I'm going with it because it makes me happy.

I'm just hoping all the hurdles I jumped in the past 10 years were for a reason--as if I needed to go through it all to be where I'm going. Maybe losing Piper so soon (she was only 8) was for a reason that won't reveal itself to me until later.

There is probably nothing to that theory, but it sure makes it easier to go on without Piper.

I Miss You.

2012-01-07T12:26:00.001-08:00

Dear Piper,

I miss you so much.

You haven't been gone a full week and I feel your absence more than any other pet I've had. You were the sweetest, prettiest and snuggliest kitty and I will forever remember how you greeted me whenever I came in the door. I'm so glad I made it home from my weekend away to play with you before you stroked and I will always feel so guilty about how quickly you were whisked away from me at the vet. I got to say goodbye and I hope you knew I was there as you passed, but they wanted to make you comfortable and you were very sedated. I love you so much and I can still feel your soft gray fur and small white paws as if you were now sitting on my lap. Whenever I come home from work, I call your name thinking you will come running from your sleeping spot to say hello and get some love.

You left us way too early but I think you lived a good life. You seemed very happy--especially when you got back to your favorite room at Bob and Jane's. I was so prepared to move you to SLO with me next month and show you my favorite place, but I'll have to go it without you. You truly were my best friend. I hope wherever you are, you are happy. XOXO

Happy Holidays 2012!

2011-12-20T18:04:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas, all!

Wow, what an end to 2011 its been. After being practically a shut in with my neck pain last year, I've been super busy the last couple of months catching up with everything. I think 2012 is going to be my best year yet.

The really good news is I'm getting my novel published in spring. The editing process starts late January and will hopefully be finished by May. I'm so very excited about this and very proud. The working title is "The Reunion" and its a women's fiction novel much in line with Emily Giffin and revolves around thirty something couple who dated in college and now meet up again in San Francisco. Obstacles and drama ensues, but the climax takes place at a reunion in San Luis Obispo. So a reunion of a couple and a real reunion at the end. Get it? The Reunion?

The other good news is that I'm moving back to San Luis Obispo in February. I've been trying to get back to the area for a long time but its always been a hard place to find a job. I am in a good position to get that obstacle out of the way, so back to SLO I go. How much I miss that town. Out of all the places I've lived--SLO has always fit my personality the best and I already feel a part of the community being a Cal Poly grad and selling my jewelry through a couple of the boutiques on Higuera Street. I look forward to celebrating New Years with my good friends who live in town.

I've sold a lot of jewlery this season, but look forward to making more for 2012. I've been on hold with it over the past year because of my neck and limited finances to stock my supplies, but now I have the flexibility to be creative again. My current favorite earrings are these to the left which I call my Studio 54 line. Unfortunately, I sold them so quickly which I guess is good news, but I kind of wanted to keep them. Let's hope I can find the crystals to make another pair because they go with everything.

With all that, I feel like 2012 is going to be a good year. The economy is starting to look better, jobs are becoming available and people just seem generally happier. I don't want to jinx anything of course, but its so hard to contain my giddiness.

I wish you all the best for the New Year.

Reunions

2011-10-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

Reunions are the best.

It doesn't matter if its 5 years or 50 years, its still feels special to spend time with those you bonded with at some point in your past. I just spent a weekend at my university, Cal Poly, hanging out with the college radio station KCPR alumni and former DJs. We had bands, food, booze and it was fabulous. Over the past decade, I've gotten away from the alternative music scene thanks to XM radio and my being able to play my iPod in my car. It was great to chat with peeps who are still immersed in it and now I feel the need to attend Austin's SXSW festival.

We all had a chance to rock a show on the air which I did and it felt wonderful. Played my old tunes from the early 90s like Kitchens of Distinction, Buffalo Tom, Adorable, Concrete Blonde, Jesus and Mary Chain, REM, etc. I mixed in some currents like The Delays, Wintersleep and Embrace. After months of nightmares about dead air and not cuing songs up in time, I cruised through the show like I had done it yesterday.

Networking was plentiful as I might have a great, solid lead to get my book published currently titled, "The Reunion." So maybe fate stepped in at just the right time.

Media Blues

2011-08-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

I've decided to take a moratorium from TV News.

Why? Well, isn't it obvious? If it isn't the recession, our debt, the weather, riots, our debt, bad politicking, bad president, bad congress, our debt or a little boy being caged in the basement where he dies from starvation its something else really awful. I find watching the pundits on both sides bring out the worst news in everything. Ever watch Glen Beck? If you do, you feel like the world is ending and Rome is once again burning. Watch Rachel Maddow and you think every republican is a liar and wants to make your life miserable? Really? The one thing I've learned about all of this is that its completely out of my control. Its out of MY control. I can't get us out of debt, I can't change the weather, I can't stop a riot and I certainly cannot save everyone from starvation (although I do send money to the animal shelters. Those darn commercials get me EVERYTIME!).

So my point is that if you watch the news everynight and feel angsty or depressed--take a step back and turn it off. Completely turn it off. Go online and read headlines and sift through the overload of information you're besieged with because it willl make you feel so much better. So what if you only want to read the Living section of a newspaper? At least you'll be educated on pop culture. If reading about our debt and how China owns our asses, brings you down, stop reading it. A lot of the information is bogus anyway.

And this comes from a journlism major.

August

2011-08-11T15:44:00.000-07:00

Crazy summer days indeed! Where does the time go? Its already mid August although we here in California get a longer summer than most.

I'm 98% recovered from the surgery. Yay. I go back to work next week after my surgeon releases me--and I can't wait. Although I've enjoyed the past couple weeks as vacation, I look forward to getting back to normal (and going back to full salary!). I miss being in my car and seeing my accounts around the bay area everyday.

I've almost OD'd on baseball. Seriously, I don't think I have missed a Giants game either in person, on tv or listening to it on my MLB app. I think I remember watching the game the night of my surgery...but that's kinda blurry. I attended the game last Tuesday where I met up with my friends Jamie Kaler and Michael Bunin (see My Boys) who were in town shooting a show for DirectTv. They are doing a travel show about baseball stadiums and the cities they reside in. Of course they had to make it up to AT&T park. The best stadium ever (but I'm biased. I like Target Field too, but because its in my old neighborhood.) Anyhow, I got to play tour guide and hang which was a blast. They truly are the nicest guys in Hollywood (and the funniest, too). First time in a year I drank a beer but the greatest part of the night was walking from Market Street to the Stadium without any pain. You don't know how much pain you're living with until its gone!

Now its back to work and working out--need to start building endorphins naturally again after being on pain medication for a year. I have a move coming up this fall which I'm looking forward to and a KCPR reunion that will put me back on the air for the first time in 10 years. Yikes. Not sure I remember how to work the board, but I get to play all my favorite music from college and beyond and see the friends I've been missing so much lately.

Recovery

2011-07-05T14:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Summer and post 4th of July!

Hope you had spectacular fireworks where you live and got to spend the weekend with your loved ones soaking up the sun and swimming.

My weekend wasn't so exciting. I finally had my surgery and its been 3 months. I'm healing quite well, I believe, but I'm trapped in this big contraption of a neck brace that makes it hard to go out in the heat. I'm used to it by now, but I can't wait until I can sleep on my pillow and turn on my side like I used to.

The surgery itself helped a myriad of problems. When I got rear ended last spring, something in that accident pushed some bone out of place which was pushing against the nerves causing major pain in my left arm and numbness and pain in my left hand. Apparently, my discs were so bad the vertebrae were almost closed in on each other causing bone spurs. I might have been able to live the rest of my life with no problems, but something like an accident or even a fall could have caused something to go wrong. So the surgeon took out two discs and replaced them with a protein substance mixed with my own protein and another metal plate. Only time will tell if the bone actually fuses. This surgery was very different from the one I had 13 years ago where the surgeon used a piece of bone from my left hip. That hurt so bad.

Now, I"m just home relaxing and recovering. I can't sit up for too long because my upper shoulders grow extremely tired and feel like they are on fire, but its easing as the days go by. I had a fabulous marathon of My Boys which I hightly recommend to anyone who loves a well written, smart and hip comedy. I'm so sad it ended last summer. I know the two guys in it, Jamie Kaler and Michael Bunin and they couldn't be nicer and funnier. Give it a try.

Soon, I'll be back to normal with working out, working and driving. I can't wait but no new jewelry for while. I have to completely heal before I can bend over to make anything. Hopefully I will make something in time for the holidays.
~E

Late Spring 2011

2011-05-21T18:47:00.000-07:00

What a spring its been so far. Rain, sun, wind, baseball, work, writing, jewelry, and surgery. Oh yes, I finally jumped through all the hoops with workers comp and will be having neck surgery in June. After a couple MRIs and x rays, the AME (a second opinion for workers comp) agreed with my surgeon that I absolutely need to replace discs C5-7. I had put my life on hold waiting for that decision. Its been a year I've been dealing with the incompetence of the workers comp doctors who were supposed to analyze my case. Twice, they denied me injections and surgery because they didn't even look at the right part of the MRI. Even the AME realized they had wrongfully denied me.

Am I scared? Not really. I've been in so much pain this year that I can't wait to get it done with and get on with my life. I've had the surgery before and its so improved now it will be a fairly easy recovery for me this time. Granted, I'm 12 years older and in not so good physical shape considering I haven't been able to work out for 9 months, it still will be easier because they don't take the bone from the hip anymore. That was the worst part to heal.

I'll probably update and blog throughout the summer considering I'll be off work for 3 months recovering. So wish me luck and have a great memorial day weekend! Start of summer, woo hoo!

Toxic Friendships

2011-05-21T18:37:00.000-07:00

Recently, the topic of toxic friendships came up as my friends and I were discussing the movie Something Borrowed. Based on the novel by Emily Giffin, I have read it so many times because I adore Emily's writing. She is the author that actually inspired me to start writing myself. Something Borrowed, or SoBo as its nicknamed, tells the story of Rachel and Darcy who have been friends since childhood. Rachel is the frizzy haired quiet one while Darcy is the beautiful outgoing center of attention. Not to diss the movie, but Ginnifer Goodwin was way too pretty as Rachel in my opinion and the movie was way too light on the depth of the friendship between the girls. Anyhow, Rachel has been in love with Dex since law school but her "friend" Darcy, knowing this, scooped him up and is now engaged to the boring and spineless model looking guy. The twist comes when Rachel sleeps with Dex on her 30th birthday and they start an affair that lasts all summer. From the start, you are led to believe that Dex and Rachel are best suited to each other than Darcy and Dex. You can't help but root for Rachel as she carries on an affair with her best friend's fiance. Twisted, yes, but the book does a lot of justice to loyalty vs. love. Is it right for Rachel to have these feelings even if she knew Dex first and was in love with him first? How can the reader root for the couple when they are doing something so atrocious and deceptive. Even though you aren't supposed to like Darcy, it doesn't make it right, does it? Those are the issues Rachel and Dex face as they continue the affair throughout the summer and up till the wedding.

However, the biggest issue and the biggest question of the story is whether Rachel and Darcy actually have a true friendship or what is called a Toxic Friendship.

Its a toxic friendship by far. Both girls have outgrown one another and have nothing left to offer each other except memories. For Rachel, Darcy is the girl that gets everything for free and with no work. She is shallow but loveable at the same time and Rachel just puts up with her personality simply because Darcy has been her best friend forever. But are they BFFs? It would seem to me that a friend who reminded you constantly how homely and boring you are is not a good friend. How is she a good friend? To Darcy, Rachel is the friend that makes her look good. Not being that smart, Darcy overcompensates in front of Rachel because she knows she can since Rachel will never call her out. She can walk all over Rachel. is it friendship when you make the other person feel like a doormat? Why would anyone want a friendship like this? A true friendship does mean loyalty, but also means support and not being so codependent on each other just because you have the past to talk about.

Over the years, I have had only a couple toxic friendships and once I realized these women were sucking my positive energy, I cut them off. One person in particular never had anything nice to say about anyone around me. She was the one I would be embarrassed to bring out because she would comment on other's appearances loud enough for them to hear. She was a true backstabber and I didn't trust her not to steal my boyfriend. Another friend, who became a roommate was so toxic we stopped talking to each other completely even as she still lived in my apt. Without giving too many details, I will say that had she just talked to me instead telling me nothing was my business (um my living situation is my business), I might have helped her out. Instead, she dug her heels in the sand and wouldn't budge an inch so I had no choice but to make war. It was ugly and to this day, I don't know why she was so cold. Needlesstosay, that friendship was easy to cut and a major relief when she moved out.

The third and final friendship was a bit harder. A friend for years, I ended up moving into her city after my roadtrip in 2003. She was very gracious by letting me live with her and her husband for the first couple of months and I will always appreciate that. Unfortunately, I realized she and her other friends were discussing me not so kindly behind my back and I realized she wasn't on my side afterall. Once I saw that, I could see we were never the kind of friends that should live near each other. We were better off friends who visited each other once a year. I know I was lonely having moved to a place I didn't know anyone but her so I had come to depend on her company a bit too much to ease that loneliness. I don't have a sister and I think I was a bit envious she had one who lived so close. Once I bought my condo and moved to downtown where the energy was better and I made a bunch of new friends and dated a lot, I finally let it go. It was hard--I'm a very loyal person and this person often had a good heart, but I no longer trusted her or her friends. I felt as if she didn't want me in her life anymore and that was fine. I was comfortable enough with my own life that I could let it go but it took a lot of guilt and a lot of turmoil wondering if she was better off, too.

I'm sure we all have had these kinds of toxic friendships that anchor us in ways that don't help us grow and keep us from being the best we can. It takes a lot to end a relationship like that especially if you both have a lot of memories in common. If you feel you have a person like in your life, don't feel guilty about moving forward. Sometimes it just needs to be done. Eventually you'll learn to live without her and will probably feel better for it.

Spring 2011

2011-04-15T13:15:00.000-07:00

Where did the winter go? I can't believe we are looking right into the eyes of May already--but that is a really good thing.

I've taken a break from blogging simply because I'm not sitting at my computer all that much. If I do, its usually to pay bills, Skype with my niece or write a bit of the novel. I wish I could say I have more to say, but aside from Giants baseball and waiting for my neck surgery to happen, I'm just in a waiting period. The neck is getting worse and I see an AME (work comp second opinion) on May 9th. If he agrees with my surgeon, then I will be having surgery by end of May. If he doesn't--I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm in pain contstantly and its affecting my job and daily life. No workouts, hiking or roadtrips and it makes me miserable. So I hope he will see I'm in a bad place. Workers comp is so horrible and awful. I wouldn't wish anyone to have to deal with it.

I'm going to stay positive and assume things will go my way and I will be having surgery. So look for a bit more jewelry designs during my recovery. I need to get back to it, but not receiving bonuses and full paychecks because I'm off hinders my ability to resupply my gems and findings. But I haven't given up--I will be back to new in no time!

Why Charlie Sheen is a Genius

2011-02-28T23:08:00.000-08:00

Yes, I titled him a genius. You're probably asking why I would think that crackpot Charlie Sheen is a genius. All his ranting, raving, crazy talk means he needs help, right? Honestly, I think he is outsmarting everyone around him. Everyone. And he's doing it very effectively.

Think about it.

Sheen is tied to a project he can't stand for the next year and half (or more..I'm not sure how long his contract extends). He wants out and he wants out bad. I'm thinking he has Major League 3 and an HBO project in the works which he can't do until he is done with CBS. But a contract is binding. He can't get out of it unless he pays to get out. So what is the next best solution?

Get fired.

What better way for Sheen to get himself fired by CBS? Use his reputation and manic behavior to his advantage. Go on every talk show--and I mean every one of them..he's even talking to TMZ and spout out nonsense that would so piss CBS off they would fire him. Its true that he is narcissitic and doesn't have a foot in reality, but he is being smart about this. He is making sure to say he is totally clean and sober. The people involved in his new projects probably know about this stunt. Notice Denise Richards and Brooke Mueller (Sheen's ex wives) are not saying a word. Why? Because they will get more money out this if they keep their mouths shut. Charlie will invariably end up being paid millions by CBS to break his contract and then will make millions on Major League 3 and millions on his new HBO show.

Personally, I think its f-ing brilliant. SF pitcher Brian Wilson did visit him recently and maybe Sheen took a play out of Wilson's playbook about how to finesse the media with crazy talk. It sucks the media in and they miss the other stuff and don't dig any deeper. I'm not even sure the resignation of Sheen's PR person was real. They probably have some deal going that Sheen and he will work things out later. They have been together for over a decade.

So what do you think? Could it be possible? Could Sheen actually be the last man standing laughing at us all? I think so.

Winter 2011

2011-01-29T22:23:00.000-08:00

Could it be the winter of our discontent? I don't know...but I think Egypt might be thinking that.

Right now, its drizzly here in California. I don't mind since we've had really nice temperatures for the last couple of weeks. Yes, I'm wearing my skirts and flip flops. Simply fabulous and I won't complain at all about it.

I'm still battling this neck injury. Since I'm out on worker's comp, I need to wait for them to approve the surgery. Nothing like some good ole fashioned pain to make you miserable. Needlesstosay, its been a festival of movies, movies and iPad surfing. I haven't seen too many movies in the theaters except Black Swan and King's Speech. The latter I will recommend in a heartbeat. Colin Firth, one of my faves of all time, was wonderful as was Geoffrey Rush. Without looking at IMDB, can you name another movie they were in together? Hint..it was an oscar winner. The answer is at the end of the this blog.

Black Swan, on the other hand, is not for everyone. I was fascinated by it simply because of the ballet. I've loved ballet since I was a child. But it was dark and I haven't seen that dark of a movie in a long time. It took some time to digest my thoughts on it. Was it even a good movie? I guess that depends how you look at it. Natalie Portman was very good in the role and watching her descent into madness was a trip. Imagine shooting that scene with Mila Kunis. If you've seen it...you know what I mean. Do I recommend it? Well, not for everyone. If you like dark, twisty and unresolved plotlines then you will like this and thank the lord you are not a soloist ballerina. If you are looking for a horror or a paranormal story, you will be disappointed. So go at your own caution.

There are two little indie movies that I rented on DVD that I would highly recommend. One is Leaves of Grass starring Ed Norton and the other is Ten Inch Hero starring Jensen Ackles. The former is a quirky (well both are a bit quirky) tale where Norton plays extremely brilliant twins..one is an Ivy League philosophy professor and the other is a pot grower. Its blends that humor and seriousness and Norton is just fantastic. Ten Inch Hero is a sweet almost chick flick that takes place in a sandwich shop in Santa Cruz. Its cute and writing is great. I'm a huge fan of Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester on Supernatural and seeing him in this role endeared me to his acting even more. I think its only available on iTunes or by purchase on Amazon right now. Yes, I bought it.

One last note on movies, I rented Peyton Place last weekend and that was a great movie. Abortion was referred to as a miscarriage. I guess that's what made the movie so scandalous at the time and the dirty word abortion was a no no. Definitely worth a watch if it shows up on AMC at some point.

Otherwise, no new jewelry to show but I've started a new book. I'm 11k words into it and extremely excited about it. I hope to have it finished this summer. Happy late January, peeps. Hope this winter is treating you kindly and you aren't shoveling too much snow.

PS- the answer to the trivia question is Shakespeare in Love.

Post Thanksgiving

2010-11-30T17:33:00.000-08:00

Happy post Thanksgiving, peeps! It was a great weekend for me seeing my family and meeting my new nephew Logan Michael. It was completely impossible for me NOT to fall madly in love with him. At 3 months, he is so snuggly and sweet and I really wanted to keep him. Ha. He is just too adorable for words. My niece, Rylee, is growing like a weed and is in the 100 percentile for height. Her height is deceiving because she looks four when in fact she is barely two. Regardless, she knows how to work and iPad and how to spell her name. It was so much fun playing with her. These two cuties sure have changed my life. I'm still torn on whether I want my own kids, but in the meantime, I just adore playing with my brother's.

I'm off work right now on a medical leave for my neck which I assume will turn into surgery in the next couple of weeks. I can't drive due to pain and medication and since my job is in my car all day, my surgeon took me off. I'm sooo bored right now I can't stand it but I won't complain because I'm lucky I have a job that is allowing me this leave and is supporting me through everything. I miss being in the field and can'[t wait to get back to normal...whenever that is. Workers comp is so slow......

Jewelry and book writing are on hold because its a bit painful to do any of it, so I upped my dvd count with netflix. Got through the whole first season on The Good Wife which I absolutely loved. Great show. Next up, Warehouse 13 and United States of Tara. My current favorite show, Terriers, is not doing well in the ratings and probably won't be picked up again, but that show is soooo good. Its on F/X and the season finale is tomorrow night. Such good writing and acting.

Happy Holidays!

World Series Fun

2010-10-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

Congrats to the San Francisco Giants who won the National League Pennant and are now 2-0 in the World Series. While the scores of the games seem almost gaudy (11-7, 9-0) playing in Texas will be a whole different story. Fans and players cannot get comfortable--even for a second.

Something was truly missing from the first two games--something we Giants fans have been so used to for the past two months. TORTURE. Its been the theme of the post season and the momentum that has kept this team at top form. But it all disappeared with the first two games of the World Series. Well, it was there for the first three innings of game one. Then something truly unexpected happened--the Rangers melted down. Or rather, Cliff Lee got knocked off his game. No one knows how it happened, but it did and thankfully the Giants took advantage.

BUT, and that's a big BUT, Texas is such a good team that I expect them to make a huge comeback this weekend in Arlington. Would I like to see my Giants sweep? Sure, but it would be way more fun and way more NORMAL to have a little of the torture return. The torture that makes the wins so much sweeter and deserving. The torture that any fan of this team can bond over and say, "Now THAT was a game and the Giants played so awesome!"

However, since we practically handed the Angels the world series in game six in 2002, I will take any win the Giants get and celebrate like the one run games in the pennant race.

Go Giants!

Censorship

2010-10-21T22:49:00.000-07:00

Going with a political post today.

Juan Williams was fired from NPR yesterday because of comments he said during a segment on Bill O'Reilly. You can watch it for yourself and see what he said in the correct context. I've watched Juan Williams for years and although I don't necessarily agree with his viewpoints most of the time, I do respect him for his intelligence and his willingness to debate without getting angry and walking off the set and acting like a complete idiot (that means you, Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg). He gets his viewpoints across without seeming stupid, angry, and completely self involved.

So my point is...why did NPR fire him? Was it over his comments about Muslims? No. That was just the excuse. What he said was actually correct. Wouldn't YOU get a bit nervous if you boarded a plane with several muslim garbed passengers and it was a domestic flight? I would. That's what 9/11 taught me to feel. Plus, I know that there are extremists out there who want to kill me and bring down planes in our skies. Does that make every muslim a suspect? No. For the most part, many muslims have assimilated. However, there are still those who haven't and yes, I get very creeped out by the full on burqa where you only see a woman's eyes. I'm not used to that in this country so its a bit intimidating. But my feelings are still my feelings. Hey, I would get nervous if I saw a ranting crazy man with a large cross hanging from his chest while he chanted psalms out loud (kinda like that guy from Poltergeist). That would totally freak me out. So it goes both ways. However, I don't think there are any christian groups wanting to take down planes in the name of religion. It is completely correct to say that extremist muslims caused 9/11. I'm not going to sugarcoat that fact and I get so sick of people telling me its wrong to say it.

So anyway, back to NPR. This federally funded media group chose to censor Juan Williams because he works for Fox. And why? Because uber liberal, Fox hating, George Soros just donated $1.8 million dollars to the outlet to hire journalists that will funnel his vision of a socialist government. Soros, who also founded media matters, is the mainstay behind the call to shut down Fox, Beck, O'Reilly, Limbaugh, and Hannity. He is the one that is funding the progressive left which is basically destroying everything we stand for. You might not like O'Reilly, Beck, et al...but they have every right to be on air as much as the rest of the media does. Oddly, they seem to do very well, too. Why is that? Why are they successful when it seems that MSNBC's Olberman and Maddow can't get any kind of ratings? Why are the progressive lefties like Soros sooo scared of these people that they want to shut them down? Think about it. This is the how the fascists got started. Take away our guns and shut down the media.

NPR was completely in the wrong to fire Juan. One of our basic rights is freedom of speech and NPR stomped all over it and should be completely ashamed. I guarantee in the next five years, there will be legislation put on the books undermining a portion of the media simply because one side is afraid of it. Do you know which side I'm talking about?

October update

2010-10-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

How great it feels to bring my materials out of the closet and start creating jewelry again. After taking a minor sabbatical because everything was packed for the move, I'm back to designing, creating, and photographing. Some pieces will be on display at Drama in Minneapolis and others at West End in San Francisco (website is currently under construction). A few pieces are holiday and others are simpler and casual like this gold necklace and cubic zirconia pendant. Remember if you are interested in some custom creations, I do orders. Also, I cohost parties with my inventory where the hostess gets $100 towards product if guests spend over a combined $200. They are a really fun way to bond (and way better than Silpada, etc). So think about it if you are looking for holiday gifts. Check out my website Elizabeth Aloe for more pictures of new pieces.

On to bigger and better news--

After suffering a miserable heat wave with temperatures rising to 111 degrees, the San Francisco Giants sweated their way to the playoffs beating the Padres who at one point was completely alone at the top. Congrats to the SF Giants who FINALLY made it into the playoffs and actually beat the Braves in the first round claiming the division series. The pennant race starts tomorrow against the Phillies and that is going to be a BIG BIG battle. Apparently the Giants seem to thrive on torture forcing us fans to take LOTS of exedrine. I am so looking forward to seeing the World Series return to San Francisco so Los Gigantes get a second chance to claim the title like they deserve this year. Buster Posey alone is enough reason for the winning season (and Huff's thong). Without sounding like a sports reporter, I just want to say GOOOO Giants! Fear the Beard AND Don't Stop Believing!

Fear of the Unknown

2010-09-07T20:05:00.000-07:00

Life is an adventure, right?

For me, life has been one adventure after another. I got over my fear of the unknown years ago when I lost my job in San Francisco and decided to take a 13k mile roadtrip around the country. I realized that as long as I had my health and my car, I could go anywhere and do anything. Looking back, it was the best decision I ever made (although lately I've been missing my 2 bdrm apt in Pac Heights). Now I look forward to changes in my life that most people would be scared to face.

Now, as I embark on a new adventure once again by completely moving out to CA, I look forward to the changes that will come my way and the new direction I will have as I cross over into a new decade of my life. I feel different and I like that feeling. I'm growing again, but instead of dreading it, I actually look forward to it. I have holiday jewelry assignments to finish for my boutiques and details to finish to get my book published. I have a niece and nephew to see whenever I get the chance and a job to nurture so I can move up. I have no idea where I will be next year at this time, but I can't wait to get there.

Hourglass

2010-09-01T09:52:00.000-07:00

Wow. Its September 1. Only two more months until I get to wear all the pretty fall clothes I just bought. One skirt, in particular, is a va va voom black pencil skirt when paired with my 3 inch heels and a tight button down shirt gives me that late 40s and early 50s pinup look.

Which leads me to say thank you thank you, thank you to the creators of Mad Men who hired Christina Hendricks to play the role of Joan. Her lovely hourglass figure has single handedly brought back the popularity of the big bosom, small waist and rounded hips. I'm a true hourglass and for years have struggled with the square boyish waist of trouser pants and skirts because of the gay influence on female fashion. I don't understand why these designers want us women to look and dress and like young boys. Its unflattering and insulting. So now that Mad Men has become so popular with its late 50s and early 60s influence, I'm starting to see a lot of the hourglass influence in the styles hitting the stores. Its refreshing and wonderful to be able to dress like a real woman again.

Back to School...

2010-08-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

Fall is here and everyone knows what that means....back to regularly scheduled life. Although most of us adults still have a week or so left of summer vacay, the neighborhood kids are back in school and the pools seem a little less crowded.

For me, it means I need to finish my book, Celebrity Ex-Factor and start the query process again. I'm very confident with this novel and its marketablity, so I'm not as nervous this time around. I'm more nervous about finding an agent that fits with me and will get this book to publishers. In this economy, we kind of sell ourselves short and take what were offered just because we feel lucky to even get an offer. I don't want to have to do that. I really want to find the best agent for my novels and for me. Speaking of novels plural--I have book 4 and 5 all lined up and ready to go, too. I will be writing for the next three years. Yay!

Then there is the jewelry, I need to really hunker down and get busy with Holiday creations. Seriously, the market is always one season ahead. Right now, you see summer clearance and fall clothes on the racks. I guarantee, the stores and boutiques are thinking about Christmas which means I need to be creative. Its hard to think about the holidays when its 107 degrees out.

I also have a huge move coming up. I found a place and now need to get my stuff from MPLS to CA. I hired movers this time, but I still have a lot of packing to do (putting the stuff in my storage space into boxes) which means I fly back to MPLS two weekends in a row. It will be good to see some peeps, but I have so much to do in such a short time. I still completely miss my loft in downtown Minneapolis. Unfortunately, my tenant loves it and will probably buy in the next year which makes me sad. I miss it so much and I miss the community that lived in it.

My neck is doing no better and my MRI actually showed little disk left in C5-6 and C6-7. Plus, there is what the doctor calls a "blush" pushing against the spinal column. Unfortunately, workers comp denied getting the injections saying they don't seem to work on someone who has a prior fusion, so that might mean I go straight to surgery. Maybe I can just use my own insurance. Blah. I sure hope I get a lot of money out of this accident. It has caused me so much pain and suffering!

So while the kids are going back to school, I'm going back to school in a way, too. Have lots of learning, writing, and art to make.

Elizabeth

August

2010-08-07T18:42:00.000-07:00

Wow, where did the summer go? One minute it was May and we were looking forward to Memorial Day festivities and now the kids are back in school. My cat, Piper, has loved the summer hanging out on my pillows and in the windows.

Its been a crazy summer for me dealing with my neck, writing my novel, and working. The neck is in bad shape. I have no disc left in C5-6 which means I will need surgery. When? I don't know. Hopefully sooner rather than later. I can still bounce back quickly now. My surgeon is going conservative, however, and doing injections first which is fine. Maybe its just the joint causing the pain. If so, I won't need surgery right away to get rid of the pain.

I have a move coming up, as well. I finally found a place that suits me out in the east bay. I thought about San Francisco again, but I just don't want to deal with the weather. Its a tough summer with fog and wind. Plus, I would like better amenities now. So my new place, while looking a bit 80s inside has two bedrooms, a washer and dryer in the unit, a walk in closet, a really nice pool and spa and a workout room. So I'm happy. The next step is moving my stuff out here from Minneapolis which is going to be a blast because JC is coming with me. Very much looking forward to hanging with him for a few days. I still miss my condo very much and will be sad to officially say goodbye, but maybe I won't sell and get to a point where I can spend winters out here in CA and summers in MN. I miss those summer thunderstorms.

The novel is almost finished. Hopefully by Labor Day. Then it will be read by a great editor (thanks Kymberlie) and then sent out to agents who I met in February. Already looking to write a 4th novel which I'm very excited about.

I'm getting a brand new nephew to go with my already adorable and much loved niece Rylee. Logan is coming any day now. Hurry up, kid...I can't wait to meet you and it gives me an excuse to see Rylee and the family.

Anyhow, hope your summer has been good.

New creations

2010-07-17T14:34:00.000-07:00

So here a few pieces that I finished over the weekend. I am loving Tahitian pearls and black spinel this summer. They make great pieces both shiny and romantic.

Go away

2010-07-15T16:55:00.000-07:00

Mel Gibson should just go away. I never want to see another one of his movies again. He is a crazy, abusive and horrible. I don't care if he is a good actor, you don't hit a woman when she is holding your child. Same should be said of Alec Baldwin although it sounds like he sort of got his shit together (maybe?).

So my list of celebrities that need to just GO AWAY are as follows: Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Heidi and Spencer Montag, ALL the Kardashians, ALL the cast of the Hills, Mischa Barton, Jessica Alba, Jessica Simpson, and the cast of Jersey Shore, Stephen Moyer (yes as in the guy from True Blood--blech), The Jonas Brothers (FUGLY!), Matthew McConaghey, any of the bachelors and bachelorettes, and Katie Couric, Chris Matthews, Simon Cowell, Renee Zellweger, Zach Galifinka--or however you spell his name, Ashton Kutcher, and few more that I'm sure I'll remember later.

Um....

2010-06-20T19:08:00.001-07:00

....Bronchitis sucks!

Banner Advertising

2010-06-15T09:23:00.000-07:00

I've always been a fan of online advertising since it was my job back in the late 90s at CNET. Specifically, I was part of the group that managed the inventory of space on the CNET sites and put up and took down the banners from companies like Electronic Arts, Microsoft, and IBM. Those were the days when CNET was pioneering (along with Yahoo!) the online advertising space. For most of the time I was there, CNET pushed back on the pop up ads that started in 2000 which was nice because the tool bars you have now didn't have the pop up blockers.

Keeping up with the industry now, I'm finding very user specific ads popping up. For example, I visit Ideeli.com, ING.com and AnnTaylor.com often. So now, it seems that my browser, Yahoo!, pushes those ads specifically to me. I'm trying to figure out if that is a good thing or a bad thing. From a technology perspective, it appears a logical way to advertise. But from a user perspective, why would a company want their ads pushed to me when I already visit? Its not like they are going to get anymore clicks from me. I would rather see ads that were SIMILAR to those companies that I visit. Then maybe I would be new click thrus to those sites. Am I making sense?

Still, Facebook is getting into a lot of trouble with their privacy issues which stem from advertising. I could go into details about it, but I think I will just say that they should not under any circumstances share my information like age, hometown, etc. without my consent. Is Yahoo! doing that with the way they are pushing ads? Not yet, but I think eventually, they will also go that way.

Its just amazing to me how much online ads have stayed the same yet changed drastically since they debuted 16-17 years ago. And its only going to continue changing. What do you think? Do you like having ads of sites you've visited being pushed at you?

Something Happened on the way to...work.

2010-06-10T18:57:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know me know I'm not one for drama. I don't like it in my life much at all. Okay, a little good drama can make a day go by a little faster so I guess that would be an exception. Anyhow, so I'm parked on the street outside a doctor's office this morning working a little on the computer. My windows are rolled down, the breeze feels nice and cool and then all hell broke loose.

Seriously, from out of nowhere a fight started across the street in the trailer park I never noticed prior. Eight or so men started beating up another man and then one brought out a 2x4 which I knew was going to be trouble. Pulling out my phone, I dialed 911 knowing exactly what the dispatcher was going to ask me (thanks to two years as a 911 disaptcher in San Francisco). I was able to give location, description, and I made sure she heard there was a weapon.

Still on the phone, I watched the fight spill into the street and it literally got about a foot from my car. Most people would have panicked but I was kind of thrilled. I don't know why, but its not everyday you see a street brawl at 10am.

So the police and ambulance show up and basically shut down the street so I'm stuck in my car being a witness and all. Waiting patiently, an officer finally approached me to take down the information. Turns out the trailer park is a know for meth cooking and it was definitely a white trash, money cheatin' dispute. Shoot, where was Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant in Justified) when I need him?

So if I disappear and you never hear from me again...I'm in witness protection. He he.

So what would you have done? Would you have called 911 or just drove off?

XOXO

Returning from Vacation

2010-06-02T10:04:00.000-07:00

You know you've had a really great vacation when you return tired. Rested and over the daily grind, but still a bit tired. After spending 10 days in Minneapolis, I'm back in Cali and back to work. I had to drag myself out of bed this morning even though I was two hours ahead. While I had a wonderful time with friends and going to Twins games, my next vacation will be somewhere beachy or somewhere with a european accent.

The last time I was in Hawaii (back in 2000) I said my next vacation would be a roadtrip around the country. I accomplished that in 2003. While its cheap and easy to come back to Minneapolis, my friends make it very hard to get rest (he he).

So come November, I plan to be on the beach in Oahu or Kauai again.

Memorial Day Weekend

2010-05-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

What a fantastic week I've had in Minneapolis. The weather has been absolutely wonderful. Of course, this is the same kind of weather that seduced me into moving here back in the summer of 2003. Most people never think of Minneapolis when they consider great cities, but there is something special about it. The winter sucks for sure, but the summers and falls are magnificent. Now, with the new baseball stadium literally a 3.5 minute walk from my condo, the downtown area just buzzes with great energy. I must say, I really miss my condo and my closet. I don't get nearly as much space out in the bay area.

So, aside from three great baseball games (well, 2.5 actually since I attended the ONE game that was postponed due to rain), I've seen so many friends (and one "special" friend), done a bit of tax free shopping downtown, accomplished a lot of writing, and put my liver in shock. Yes, its been a very good week indeed. XOXO
PS-A big thank you to all our military men and women who have served and died in combat.

Vacation

2010-05-24T08:57:00.000-07:00

Well, its been some time since I had over a week off of work. Workers Comp doesn't count...I mean come on. I couldn't drive anywhere, I was on medication and on top of that had a virus that made gave me the worst case of nausea ever. So now I'm enjoying over a week in sunny--well, incredibly humid Minneapolis. Sure, I could have gone to Hawaii or Mexico, but coming to Minneapolis is affordable for 10 days and I get to finally attend a Twins game in the new stadium two blocks away from my condo. I watched it being built, so now I want to reap the rewards of seeing Mauer and Morneau play the Yankees Tuesday night out in the open air. Can't wait for a good old fashioned stadium beer buzz.

This has to be short since I'm having lunch with JC in an hour and then off to Drama to drop off some new merchandise which you can view here and hang out with my good friend Courtney. Then its happy hour. No time to waste! xoxo

Crazy few weeks

2010-05-12T17:24:00.000-07:00

April went by in a blur and now May is just about halfway gone. Thanks to pain meds and a virus, I barely remember any of it.

So let's see...Greece is being bailed out with some of our hard earned money because socialism obviously doesn't work nor will it ever work, BP is spilling billions of gallons of oil into the gulf which in turn has spurred on California lawmakers to propose banning oil drilling in the pacific which I feel is a gross lapse in judgement (job loss, govt regulation, $10 a gallon gas prices) and the Obama administration will confirm a new judge on the Supreme Court who will most likely be there for the next 40 years. I think Elena Kagan is a smart woman and has a good resume, but I would prefer seeing someone who has actually SERVED as a judge.

That said, I think I will just pass up May and go straight into vacation at the end of the month and not worry about anything more until June.

Great News

2010-05-02T10:25:00.000-07:00

Great news, peeps...I picked up a new boutique yesterday in San Francisco. West End boutique on Chestnut Street in the Marina of San Francisco. Great clothes, shoes and bags so if you are in town, check them out for sure!! The website is being updated with pictures to come soon.

It's THAT Season

2010-04-29T17:45:00.000-07:00

Well, the good news is that winter is behind us. I know those of you in the colder climates are happy to see the blooming buds of Spring. The bad news? ALLERGIES. Oh my God...I'm having the worst week ever with headaches and nausea. Anyone else having problems? I love seeing the green hills, flowers, and tree buds, but why is there such a price to pay? Ugh.

On a lighter note, while I was off on workers comp for my neck, I got to do some more writing and put in about 4,000 more words. The story is progressing and I am in the middle of a good scene in San Francisco. I hope I can continue, but man, this health stuff takes the good energy away. I can't wait to start submitting this novel to the agents I met at the writer's conference in Feb.

That being said...my favorite author, Emily Giffin just sent me an autographed copy of her book Something Borrowed which is currently in production for a movie starring Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin. Why did I take to this novel so much (it really is my favorite...read it about 5 times)? I think because the lead seemed so real and less neurotic than most female leads in the chick lit genre. It was a messy story that would be hard to deal with in real life, but somehow we rooted for her to succeed--even if her actions are a bit vapid.

So anyway, what is your most favorite novel? The one you read over and over?

Sparkly Bracelets

2010-04-22T16:25:00.000-07:00

I'm in love with cuffs this season ever since I inherited a few antique cuffs from my grandma. Prior to that, I really didn't like bracelets because they seems to clink and get caught in whatever long sleeve I was wearing. Cuffs are brilliant, however, because they don't dangle anything and they can sit higher on the wrist like a watch.

I've been experimenting lately and these two bracelets are what I've come up with so far.

There are a few mistakes, but I will continue to experiment throughout the summer using not only rhinestones, but beads as well. This is a fun exercise for me, but damn, its killing my neck.

Let me know what you think about them.

Elizabeth

Update

2010-04-19T14:17:00.000-07:00

As I try to fill in my time while I'm home on worker's comp, I thought I would fill you in on what is going on with my neck. Also, being on pain meds makes me extremely chatty and entertaining (as my friend John pointed out).

I know you all are dying to know what happened with the doctor, right? I knew your insane curiosity was getting the best of you. So anyway, she took me off work primarily because I'm on medication and my job is a lot of driving. Turning my head left to right was virtually impossible. The accident, although I wasn't hit all that hard, woke up 13 years of degenerating discs, arthritis, and scar tissue from my surgery back in 98. Now, its not uncommon for most of us to have degenerating discs in our back and neck, but I've had rapid degeneration since I was a teenager. In layman's terms that means most of us degenerate or get shorter through life so by the time we are 85, we've lost an inch or two. My degeneration went from A-Z in the matter of a couple years and the reason I'm not hunched over is because I have really strong, dense bones.

My surgeon mentioned to me that humans were never meant to walk upright and we are still adapting even after millions of years. Our necks and backs are like jelly donuts. When you crush the jelly donut hard enough, the jelly shoots out and there is no putting it back in. The discs between the vertabrae are fragile and they cushion our daily activities. So bulging discs are very normal and conducive to life. A HERNIATED disk is when you break a bulging disc like a jelly donut. It can't be fixed unless you have surgery.

Back in 98, when I herniated my disc, it was so severe that my arm went paralyzed. I couldn't lift it and that signaled that the disc was pressing on the spinal cord nerves. After the surgery, my arm was completely back to normal but my surgeon said I had about 24 hours to go before the disc was about to slip down into the spinal column and paralyze me neck down. Yes, it was that bad and that scary.

That all being said, I've been fine since the surgery, but I'm also active with exercise. I've been noticing a bit more pain in the past year or so and my car accident was just the final push to start the arthritis. Unfortunately now, I'm going to have to get physical therapy and massage therapy (oh darn) for an extended amount of time and probably for the years to come.

BUT hopefully that will keep the pain at bay and maybe even make me feel better in the future.

So I hope you enjoyed your brief education on discs. I am very curious to hear if any of you have experienced something like this.

Elizabeth

Comments

2010-04-16T13:16:00.001-07:00

I had the comments turned off because I seemed to get a few strange ones on occasion, but I'm turning them back on...so go nuts, kids.

Drama

2010-04-15T13:11:00.000-07:00

Check out what's new at Drama.

One of my necklaces displayed for Courtney and Brynn's spring stash at the store.

Movies that stayed with you...

2010-04-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

My friend Brian has a great blog that I enjoy reading called The Leaf Blower (based on the novel he is writing). One of his recent blogs discussed books that he found extremely disturbing. I want to take that one step further and ask you what MOVIES have you found so disturbing that they have stayed with you for a long time. I have three.

The first is An American Crime. Brian discusses the book that this movie is based on called the Girl Next Door. The movie, starring Juno's Ellen Page and Catherine Keener, is about a girl who is tortured by a woman and her children when she is left in their care while her parents work as carnies. WHile the movie is completely dark and disturbing, its a fantastic character study and the acting is phenomenal. The ending, a huge twist that I didn't see coming, stayed with me for days.

The second movie is a spanish movie called The Orphanage. Subtitled, it is a creepy movie about a couple whose little boy goes missing. This actually took me a few days to get through as the creepiness and direction of the film embedded in my psyche. Again, a superb movie if you like ghost stories and mysteries.

The third movie is from the late 80s and I honestly couldn't get through it. The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover. Disturbing all around, it stuck with me and spooked me so badly I had to leave the theater. Would I have the same reaction if I were to watch it now? I don't know. All I know is that the storyline about cannibalism and torture is not for me.

What movies have stuck with you?

Accident Number Four

2010-04-08T16:14:00.000-07:00

Is it possible that black Toyota RAV4s are invisible? I only ask because I just got into another accident this morning. I have had FOUR in that car and NONE of them my fault. A poor pregnant woman, also a pharma sales rep like me, rear ended me in her prius. Oddly, she was really cool and I think we could be friends under differenct circumstances. I had my Honda Accord in San Francisco for TEN years and never ONCE had an accident.

Anyhow, I think my car has gone through more in repairs than I actually paid for it. Never enough to total, but I doubt many of the parts including the back door or original to the car. Personally, its paid off and I really don't want another car payment at the moment. I will drive Buffy (my RAV) into the ground before I give her up.

Soooo, off to get my pain medication. My neck and back are killing me, which never happened in the other accidents, so the doctor prescribed some good stuff. I guess there is a silver lining to everything. :)

Baseball

2010-04-05T13:02:00.000-07:00

Although the Spring colors and clothes are out in full swing, Spring never really starts until Opening Day. Baseball is back, everybody, and I couldn't be happier.

Tonight is the season opener for the Oakland Athletics and next week will be the SF Giants and the Minnesota Twins--the three teams I care about. With the new stadium in downtown Minneapolis, the Twins seem to have one of the most exciting openers and seasons to look forward to. I so wish I was still back in my loft (3 blocks away from the stadium) so I could enjoy all the festivities with friends and neighbors. I will be back in May for the Yankees and its always a fun time when the Yanks come to town.

The Giants open next week and I am already planning my trips to the what I still call Pac Bell. I know the stadium name has changed a few times, but it will always be Pac Bell Park to me (and I have pictures to prove it!).

That all being said...time to go pack the hotdogs and beer in the cooler and head to the park.

Spring...Part 2

2010-03-28T16:40:00.001-07:00

Spring is still here or maybe just starting where you are...

Romance is hot this season with the ruffles and soft colors. I love how designers have mixed a little bit of rocker with the romantic look. Edgy and ethreal with the pearls and the metal. So in staying with the theme of romance, I've put together a couple necklaces--two of which will be featured by Drama at Envision in Minneapolis. So excited and wish I could be there to attend.

Here's a couple sneak peeks for you to enjoy.

I have a bit of news on the romance front, but thought I would tease it for now. Oh, the shame.

XOXO

Spring

2010-03-14T14:46:00.000-07:00

Well, hello spring florals and pretty colors...so good to have you back!

How I've missed all the hot pinks, lavenders, minty greens, yellows and light blues. My brain is just now trying to process all the new clothes, shoes, and accessories that are available. The dresses in particular are like seeing colorful jellybeans in a jar. So pretty!

In the meantime, I hit a gemshow last weekend and made some nice pieces for Spring. They are all uploaded to my website but here is a sneak peek:

Making jewelry has become a passion for me along with writing novels. I don't know when my passions woke up--maybe about 3 years ago, but they are what keep me inspired and happy (aside from the usual daily things). A frustrated corporate bonehead stuck in technology for so long, I'm so glad I finally succumbed to my strengths instead of trying to fit into a culture that was slowly making less sense to me. I haven't been able to make a living at it, but just knowing its there for me lets me enjoy my day job as a pharmceutical rep much more.

The writing is going well. On my way to finishing a third novel which agents are interested in...then its back to rewriting my first two which are the closest to my heart.

Happy spring and enjoy the coming months of sunshine. (I'm going to be at the beach next weekend.)

XOXO

On the iPod today: Julian Casablancas, Ivy, Collective Soul, REO Speedwagon, and James.

San Luis Obispo

2010-02-24T16:59:00.000-08:00

Dear San Luis Obispo,

I just wrote San Francisco a love letter about getting back together, but I didn't for a second want you to think I have forgotten about you. SLO, you are and will always be my first love. We spent 4 wonderful years together when I was going to Cal Poly and those years are etched deeply into my psyche.

I cried the day we broke up. I know we didn't have a choice, but I needed to spread my wings and meet new cities and towns. But I have always missed your sun, beach and lovely sunsets.

But I really wanted to get back in touch with you after all these years. So many hours were spent at both Avila and Pismo Beach contemplating my future and where I would be in 10 years, let alone 20. The good news is that you have gotten even better with age. I think change is good for you. Now I don't want to see you become a large metropolis like San Francisco and LA, but having a little growth is good for business and healthy for your prosperity.

While I miss my school days at Cal Poly and at the radio station, I have grown enough to know that I miss you for the right reasons. The lifestyle of flip flops and beachiness mixed in with the small town flavor where you can't help but get to know your community is why I miss you so much. I'm lucky enough to have friends who still live there so while you and I are not back together completely, we can start hanging out again.

I look forward to seeing you in a couple weeks.

Much love,
E

Pressure

2010-02-18T17:55:00.001-08:00

I've got the iPod going right now--rather my iPHONE and Pressure by Billy Joel is playing really loud. Now that has me thinking about the theme and wondering what real pressure is like. With the Olympics in full swing--I often think of those athletes and find that is real pressure. I couldn't imaging being an elite athlete tackling a downhill snowboarding event (heck, I can't even imagine having my feet locked up on a snowboard...its my version of claustraphobia). The guys in charge of Toyota PR--again, real pressure. The next Republican candidate to run against Obama--you get the picture.

Me? My pressure this week is to finish up my book Celebrity Ex-Factor and make more jewelry. I attended a conference over the weekend and met with agents--five of whom are very interested in my story and want me to send it asap. That really excites me, but I'm only a third of the way through it (life, work, boyfriend, travel and social events seem to have gotten in the way). Writing, although I really enjoy it, seems to be my version of the gym lately--I need motivation. I'm motivated, really, but this book is nowhere near as close to my heart as my first two so it takes a little more energy for me to sit down to it. But like the gym, once I get on the treadmill or start doing my squats, I feel good and productive which in turn motivates me more.

So now I've talked myself into getting a workout done.

San Francisco

2010-02-11T19:58:00.000-08:00

Dear San Francisco,

Oh how I've missed you. The city of my past that holds so much of my history. It's been such a long time since you and I have shared such an intimate relationship. Well, its time to get back together. Yes, I know I dumped you a few years ago and took off unexpectedly to another part of the country. We had both grown tired of each other and needed a break. You, with your foggy cold weather and me with my need to experience another climate and remember what a true summer actually feels like.

But times have changed. Although I lived in another city and even bought property, my heart still truly belongs to you. I have not forgotten the times we shared walking to and from work, the Giants Ballpark and Union Square. Nor have I forgotten all the football and softball games I played on the fields scattered through your presence. So many drinks, parties, and kisses were shared under your lights which, looking back now, makes me nostalgic for you and the late 90s.

I know I'm older now--more mature and times are different. I've changed and you've changed, but that's just fine. Change is good. I know you still won't offer me a house to buy, but since I own property in Minneapolis, I'm okay to rent again.

So, San Francisco--here's to us and a fresh start. May it last for another 10 years.

XOXO

Baggage

2010-02-01T10:11:00.000-08:00

So many things going through my head right now. I just got back from a business trip sandwiched by a trip to Minneapolis to see friends, check on my condo, meet my tenant and do a trunk show for jewelry.

Wow, so much to do in so little time. As I packed my brand new Samsonite suitcase for my trip, I started thinking about baggage. Not baggage you check at the airport, but baggage left over from various experiences in life.

Its hard to be this age on not have any baggage and I don't think anyone gets to their late 30s without trying to throw some of it away after storing it for a few years. But I think that baggage is what makes us who we are today. I try to go through it sometimes to pick out the good and the bad and learn from it. Maybe I'll throw away the whole thing hoping to never come across it again, but sometimes I might hold on to a part just hoping that it will come in useful at some point.

And I do have a few suitcases sitting on the shelf right now.

One I just threw out this past weekend. Its too damaged to keep and there is no purpose to storing it. The others, well, they can stay until I figure something out. But my NEW suitcase is quickly being filled with new stuff and its making me super happy in the meantime. That one can stay with me right now.

Wow.

2010-01-25T19:50:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I've been slacking on the writing a bit but for good reason. Work and travel. Right now, I'm in sunny Florida for work when just this morning I was in the cold snow in Minneapolis. But I do have a minor confession...I spent the weekend with my friends and partied--just a little. Um...just a little ("Really?!!!" says my liver. "I took a huge beating.")

But I digress. You don't really want to hear about all the fun I had with my friends, hanging out in my condo building (which was weird since mine is actually rented out. Good thing AG lives upstairs and let me stay.) It was fun being in the old 'hood again.

Then there was the game. The game that was so heartbreaking to watch...the one I wanted to see Favre pull out. Next year, Brett. But regardless, I had a great time hanging out with JC discussing our neck surgeries (his puts mine to shame!)

So with that being said, I'm now in Ft. Lauderdale where my group is being trained to take on two more drugs. That's really good news for my budget. So maybe Obama's stimulus worked? Right.

Have a great week everyone. I'll see some of you again this weekend when I'm back in Minneapolis for my trunk show at Drama. Courtney and I are serving cosmopolitans so you might get some good discounts out of us. ;)

New Year

2010-01-17T17:35:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, kids. Sorry its been awhile, but work/life got in the way. After a fun weekend in San Luis Obispo for NYE, its back to work and back to life. Unfortunately, while 2010 has started of positively for me, it was devastating to our high school class and to the Haiti population.
First off, we lost two friends from high school, Alyca Lacer and Veronica Herrera. One to a drug overdose and the latter to a brain tumor. My thoughts are with both families as they help the young children through the grieving process after losing their mothers. Life is just so short and it doesn't help that we are all approaching middle age (if we aren't there already). Those that married young might feel they are ready for something new and those that haven't met the one or married might feel they missed out. Me? I just coast along enjoying day to day life. I can't force anything, so I might as well participate in the now. So far, however, I really have a good feeling for the new decade. I have let go a lot of my baggage and embraced both new and old friends into my life.

As for Haiti, well, that's just plain horrifying. Like the Tsunami, it has left so many homeless and dead. But that's the great thing about human nature--we always have hope. Hope that life will build up better than before. If anything, hopefully the Haitian government will now use the money we send them to build better infastructure.

I'm out of town for the next two weeks, revisiting my hood in Minneapolis to say hi to my peeps, cheer Favre on to the superbowl, sell some jewelry at DRAMA and check on my condo that is rented out downtown. Then its off to Ft. Lauderdale for work. Whoo hoo.

Cheers!

The week between...

2009-12-28T10:12:00.001-08:00

I don't know why, but I love the week between Christmas and New Years. Its like we got through the holidays, but still get ONE more day off. Plus, most everyone is still on vacation so it means enjoying the office and catching up on work.

My office is my car, however. My potluck for one this year was kind of lame. I didn't even like the dish I brought. ;) My sweet potato pie turned out a bit soupy but I think it was because I mashed the sweet potatoes too much.

Everyone in my family got hit with the flu this week. Mom, dad, brother, sis in law and niece. Not me..I'm still waiting, but I might just scoot by without it. I sure hope so because I'm heading out of town for NY. I need to settle a bet I lost two weeks ago with a friend of mine over the Bengals/Chargers game. Darn Bolts kicked a field goal in the last 3 seconds to win.

Happy New Years everyone!

Twas the night before the night before Christmas...

2009-12-23T18:29:00.001-08:00

You read that right...its December 23rd. Have you finished your Christmas shopping? Sure hope so. My tree is all decorated and full of presents underneath waiting to be attacked Christmas morning. Santa will be making an appearance now that we have a child in the mix. Can't wait to see her smiles as she opens the presents...and plays with the boxes and discarded wrapping paper.

So I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Be good and don't make too many resolutions. Mine this year is to enjoy life a little more, move to SoCal, and finish my third and fourth novel. Not too shabby.

Cheers!

Merry Christmas?

2009-12-15T17:17:00.000-08:00

So why do I feel mildly guilty when I say Merry Christmas to someone instead of Happy Holidays? I caught myself today when I when I told a doctor he would be getting his samples right in time for the holiday. His reply? "Which one?" I stumbled and wanted to say Christmas, but he said it for me by sayingHanukkah and Kwanzaa. It was like I insulted him by thinking Christmas is the only holiday this time of year. Of course its not, but to me it is. I don't celebrate Hanukkah and I definitely don't celebrate Kwanzaa.

Which leads me to wonder--are we in such a PC fanatic world that I can't even wish someone a Merry Christmas? I wouldn't be insulted if someone wished me a Happy Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. I would smile and say thank you. But in return, I would like to wish them a Merry Christmas.

I am by no means a hardcore Christian--as a matter of fact, I think every religion has the basic point in common--faith in a higher power. The rest is all man made. BUT, I often feel like the Christians are being punished for something. The government seems to feel the need to water down the Christian religion in order to make room for other religions. People constantly get the separation between church and state mixed up thinking that our govt has to be completely religion free in everything. Not so. The amendment actually states the govt cannot IMPOSE a religion on the people and force them to worship it.

So when I want to say Merry Christmas during December, I will damn well say it if I want to. If you don't like it--toughs shit.

Ten things I wish I knew when I was 16.

2009-12-08T17:00:00.000-08:00

1. Money matters. Really. Don't ever think you have enough saved because you will always need more.
2. No job is ever stable. Always be ready to get laid off and have an emergency savings fund.
3. Have skills. An education is great, but make sure you graduate with some skills that will help you get your first job or come in handy when you do get laid off.
4. Weightlift. Cardio is great, but get those muscles toned so you don't have to work so hard in your thirties.
5. Enjoy your twenties and date and have fun but don't think they will last forever. One day, you will have to grow up and settle down.
6. Experience living in these places (not necessarily at the same time) a) large city b) cold climate c) both east and west coast at the beach d) foreign country.
7. Explore your own country before trotting off to Europe.
8. Don't dump a guy because he kisses funny, wears weird shoes, or seems too young for you...you will never know if he is right for you until you give him a chance.
9. Don't stay with a guy because he is convenient, treats you badly, or uses you because he can't be by himself. You deserve better. If he doesn't call when he says he will or buys you a 12 pack of beer for your thirty fifth birthday, he is NOT the one for you!
10. You deserve love, respect, and to have a good healthy value of self worth and self esteem. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise and don't let your body image, job, or bank account dictate how you feel about yourself.

Snow in California

2009-12-08T09:56:00.000-08:00

Imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning to snow on the ground...at sea level in California. The hills looked white as did Mt Diablo. It was lovely. All day, people complained about the cold and I just wanted to tell them that you don't know cold until you've lived in -35 degrees. Now that is cold. Really cold. Its so so cold that you walk outside and have to be careful breathing in the air for fear of freezing your lungs and you can't be outside for more than a few minutes because your nose might freeze off. It is a crazy temperature and I have to say that those who live in it year after year are brave (that's you my MN friends!).

So, with all this cold in town..here's what I say...suck it Copenhagen and the global warming community. I would rather the earth heated up a bit than to have California go into a deep freeze.

Media shields

2009-12-02T16:58:00.000-08:00

This is sort of a boring topic for most...but for me, its kind of relevant and very interesting. Currently, there is legislation on the table to prevent bloggers and citizen journalists from receiving any protection for their work. Right now, the federal govt has a shield law protecting journalists from exposing sources and such when called upon. This new legislation is trying to keep that to only those paid by media conglomerates whether salaried or contracted.

I'm on the fence about this primarily because with the internet, anyone can say anything without much repercussion. However, I do not believe in censorship which to me, this essentially runs parallel to that path. I am looking at it from the context that this is to shut up conservative radio or any other blogger, etc. that doesn't comply with general liberal media consensus or the current administration.

They are trying to rework the definition of journalism and I'm not sure I like that. This shield law should protect anyone who reports on an issue. Sure, there will be unethical people claiming to write good journalistic pieces, but there are always some rotten apples in the barrels. For the most part, people who take the time to research, write and report on issues they believe in, will most likely do it right. That goes both ways...liberal and conservative.

So I guess I picked a side. I don't think the govt should be messing with the current law protecting a journalist's integrity with sources. It shouldn't matter if the journalist works for CNN or has their own blog. If this were to pass, what would happen to the Huffington Post...I hear the gasps now.

Happy Thanksgiving from LA

2009-11-26T10:43:00.001-08:00

I've been a bit busy this week while on vacation traveling down to Los Angeles, going shopping, laying out by the pool and writing. Call me crazy, but I couldn't ask for a better way to spend my time off.

My friend Courtney arrived Monday night and hung out with me for a couple days and we had loads of fun at Bar Marmont in Hollywood where we met Rosario Dawson and Josh Hopkins (Cougar Town). Josh, surprisingly, was a very nice person and seemed genuinely interested in our conversation. Something about celebrity sightings makes me giddy. As part of my research, we got in to the Sky Bar at the Mondrian and it looked almost the same as I remembered just spruced up a bit. The view was still the same.

This leads to wonder why everyone thinks Los Angeles is a horrible place? Personally, I always have a great time when I visit and find the people really cool and friendly. Sure, its a shallow/party nice and I definitely couldn't do the Hollywood scene all the time, but for the most part the people I meet are really nice to me. Maybe its the weather? Its 80 degrees here at the end of November and that certainly puts me in a great mood.

So for the rest of the week, its all about hanging out in the sun, relaxing and doing more "research" for my book.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ode to the Christmas Hershey Kiss

2009-11-14T17:10:00.000-08:00

Ode to the Hershey Kiss

Oh my little chocolate kiss

down in the bottom of my purse

I find your colorful wrapping so alluring

Tempting me with just one is so daring

When the chocolate hits my lips

I have absolutely no concern you will land on my hips

Its a perfect taste and you are my star

when I need a pick me up in my car

I love your outfits for the holidays

all red, green and silver by the way

My little hershey kiss you are so divine

and I'm glad you are all mine

9/11 terrorists and NYC

2009-11-14T16:36:00.000-08:00

I have to get this off my chest...I'm flippin' madder than hell that the Obama administration will be trying the 9/11 terrorists in civilian court. I'm not even a New Yorker and I couldn't fathom the horror of having those faces on the turf they tried to destroy. What they did was an act of war and should be treated as such in military tribunals. How hard is that to understand??? Why is this administration trying so hard to undermine everything we have accomplished against the fundamental muslim terrorists?? Take the 93 NYC bombing where they tried the terrorists in court and it turned into something even bigger in 2001. Is that what we should expect now?

What the hell is happening to this country? Why are we being so easy on these people who want to destroy us? Waterboarding, sleep deprivation and loud music as torture? Are you serious? These guys have it easier in Gitmo than they do in their own country. I bet you right now, Bin Laden is laughing his head off and planning another attack while we are involved in trying these murderers. If I were a tax paying new yorker, I would be calling for protests!

This really pushed a button.

Why I dislike musicals

2009-11-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

I have to finally come out. Come out of this closet that's been holding me inside for so long. The one that will shock and surprise everyone who knows me...okay here goes...I don't like Broadway musicals. There I said it. Please don't boo me or throw anything at your computer because I know a lot of my friends loveloveLOVE musicals.

But to be totally honest, I do like three musicals--Annie, Mamma Mia, and Grease. Annie because my Nana took me when I was seven and the music is actually pretty good and Mamma Mia and Grease because I can sing along. But take me to Les miserables, Wicked, Lion king, and/or Phantom and I will start snoring.

Why you ask? I'm not completely sure. I love ballet, I love plays, but musicals drive me bonkers. I think its because the songs often interrupt a decent storyline with great acting and turn it into something really frivolous--something I find hard to believe. Its not that I don't think people who put together musicals and star in them are not completely full of talent--I get that. I guess I just lose interest in the plot when it gets interrupted by song.

Even Buffy the Vampire Slayer--Joss Whedon did a brilliant musical which is probably one of the best hours of television. I must admit I didn't like it much when I first saw it. It just wasn't for me. However, now that I have the show on DVD, I can appreciate how the songs fit in (although I do fast forward a few even now). But overall, I would have prefered not seeing a musical in my beloved show.

That all being said, I absolutely and totally LOVE the show Glee. Why? People sing and dance and its the same as a musical, right? No, its not. The songs are staged and part of performances that don't take away from the basic storyline, plus, they are pop culture songs that we hear on the radio and have on CD. The show revolves around the practice, rehearsals and creativity of these pop culture songs and I enjoy that. However, if Glee starts adding songs like a musical (ala Quinn's version of keep me hanging on) I will most likely lose interest.

So anyway, as much as I love music and feel pretty much well rounded in my taste, I'm going to have to say I vote no on Broadway. Yes, its my shame but I feel so much better saying it all out loud.

Check out the Glee cast singing the national anthem at the world series. Incredible!

Credit Cards

2009-10-31T21:36:00.001-07:00

Oh the horror. Its halloween and I got the bejesus scared out of me. Did I watch 28 days later for the millionth time (its one of my faves) or go see Paranormal activity? Hell no. Instead, I watched a Frontline report on consumer credit and how the banks are shafting us silly. I couldn't sleep a wink after that.

In this day and age, everyone has a credit card. Visa, MC, AMEX..it doesn't matter. You also probably carry a balance from month to month. Currently, the average balance is $8k but with the recession, I believe its now higher. You have probably seen the direct marketing appear in your mail "0% interest for a full year". These seem like a great way to transfer that higher balance to a card that won't charge interest.

But here's the catch...the credit card company can raise that interest rate at ANY TIME! What caught my attention is that they can raise it even if you are a couple days late on ANOTHER card. It can go from 0 to 18% for ONE lousy missed payment (maybe because you were on vacation and forgot). Its called the Universal Default Rate. Personally, and I know a lot of you would agree, this is bad business.

This brings me to the late payment fee. It makes sense that credit card companies want to keep you in debt so you have more of a chance of paying late and accruing fees. That's their goal. Frontline interviewed the guy behind the idea of lowering monthly minimum payments from 5% of the total owed to 2% saying that would keep people in debt longer. Its always bad to pay just the minimum because if you do that on a $2000 balance, your total will be $5000 before you paid it off if you just paid the minimum.

So who does this hurt the most? Those living paycheck to paycheck who use cards to make ends meet. Once that pattern happens its a vicious cycle to stop. Not to mention if a job loss occurs or a medical emergency happens. The market is teaching us to live off credit now and its killing us.

Congress has been active in working for the consumer but what has basically happened is that it has just fueled the credit industry to raise your interest rate. I bet if you were to check your cards today, you would find your interest rate crept up without you even knowing. Why is this happening? As of Jan 2010, credit cards companies will be forced to lock in the interest rate they advertise for the length of the contract before they can raise it. So if you get that 0% interest for a year application, the credit card company will be forced to keep you at that rate for a year. I bet you won't be seeing much of those offers anymore.

As hard as it is, its so much better to live off cash. I know there are circumstances where a card is necessary (mine is auto repair lately) but I have learned to not keep that balance going from month to month. Honestly, I feel freer even if I can't afford anything right now. Clothes, shoes, trips, and other stuff will have to wait until I can actually pay for it in cash.

Moral of this story, kids, is that credit cards companies are not on the consumer side. Be aware and read the fine print.

Here is a link to the frontline report.

Research

2009-10-30T17:40:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving this year is going to be all work and no play, er, all play and no work?

I can't decide which because I'm heading to LA for a week to do some "research". The novel I'm writing takes place in Hollywood and for the life of me, I can't remember what the hotspots that I write about actually look like anymore. So what's a girl to do? Take a trip and hit up those hotspots in the name of work. Oh yes, that means Sunset strip with the likes of the SkyBar and the Standard. It also means restaurants like Nobu and a few others. All in the name of research...really. Honestly.

Aside from research for the book, I also need to research boutiques for jewelry...so you know what that means...shopping. Darn the inconvenience.

Happy Halloween, kids. Stay safe this weekend.

Spike

2009-10-23T20:10:00.000-07:00

There's a poll on E!Online right now for best evil vamp. My heart flutters at seeing Spike's face from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Not because James Marsters was perfect in that part, but because Spike had the best lines of any character...EVER!

My favorite line was during season 3 when he called out Buffy and Angel for lying to each other about being friends.

"You're *not* friends. You'll never be friends. You'll be in love till it kills you both. You'll fight, and you'll shag, and you'll hate each other till it makes you quiver, but you'll never be friends. (points at his temple) Love isn't brains, children, it's blood... (clasps his chest) blood screaming inside you to work its will. *I* may be love's bitch, but at least *I'm* man enough to admit it."

Pure brilliance! If ever there was great advice about trying to be friends after a breakup, this is it. You can't go from loving a person to being friends without someone eventually getting hurt. Love doesn't work that way and this is what I loved about the writing of Buffy...they took everyday issues that everyday people deal with and glammed it all up. God I miss that show.

Joss Whedon + Glee = Incredible

2009-10-20T16:51:00.001-07:00

Okay, there's been some good news in the TV world that I have to share. First, Joss Whedon--uber brilliant writer/director of everything Buffy and Angel has been tapped to direct an episode of Glee. Why is this incredible? Just check out the musical episode in Season six of Buffy called "Once More With Feeling." Glee is an exceptional show and Joss will only take it to another level. THis is also coming from someone who hates musicals. I know...weird, huh. Okay, Annie and Mama Mia are good.

Second is the full season pick up of Castle starring Firefly alum Nathan Fillion. Who? You ask. Nathan Fillion--aka Captain "Tightpants" Mal Reynolds of Firefly and Serenity. Always a favorite of mine, he is the most underrated actor of this generation. I'm so glad his show found success. I like the show a lot and see it as funny and fluffy which is great for a late Monday night. So check it out.

Now, if only we can get another season of Supernatural, I could die happy.

Thanks Facebook!

2009-10-18T18:25:00.001-07:00

I have to give a huge shoutout to the social networking site, Facebook. Why? Well, had it not been for Facebook, my twentieth high school reunion probably would have never happened.

Back in the day, setting up and planning, let alone INVITING everyone was a huge chore. Well, setting up and planning is still a chore (thank goodness Amy and Tracy took on that task) but the invitation part was so easy. Just make a page on facebook, friend some people, and boom--the next thing you know, everyone seems to know about the reunion. Its genius! I guess that term Viral is a euphemism for what Facebook can do for finding people and getting the word out. There are also those other sites like Classmates and Reunion.com that helped as well, but nothing comes close to Facebook..mot even MySpace.

So the reunion itself was wonderful. Held on the back patio at a downtown restaurant, it was a perfect night under the stars with 80s music and twinkling lights in the trees. My only complaint--chatting too much with everyone and forgetting to eat some of the good Italian food.

Since getting on facebook over a year ago, its like I already know what's going on in everyones lives even though we don't speak on a daily basis. I thought email was the best invention ever, but facebook (and even MySpace back in the day) trumps it all.

Speaking of reunions, even Friday night was a minor reunion of sorts running into my old SF friends at Porkchop Express. Braden and Gil...you might have aged a bit (for the better), but you still can drink whiskey shots like nobody's business!

Go Twins!

2009-10-06T19:11:00.000-07:00

What an awesome two days for Minnesota sports. First, Favre took the Vikings to 4-0 during Monday night football and then the Twins pull out a heart stopping tie breaker with the Tigers to move on to the playoffs against the Yankees.

I know I've moved back to Cali and should be rooting for my hometeams, but I can't help but really get behind the Twins because I spent so many hours in the Metrodome drinking beers and eating dome dogs with them. I even have a Cuddyer foul ball sitting on my desk.

Watching the new stadium go up across the street from my condo was really fun, too. Living downtown Minneapolis is super fun and a new stadium is going to make it extraordinary. I can't wait to visit and use one of my friends' season tickets and then hit the Loop for a beer afterwards.

So, here's to a great comeback, Twins! My heart is still beating out of my chest. Good luck in NY!

PS-Favre, I still think you're one of the best QBs in the game, but why did you wait for me to leave before coming to MN?

Thank God Paul Blart sucked

2009-09-27T17:41:00.001-07:00

The A's were losing 9-2.

Turning it off, I decided to watch Paul Blart which has been sitting on my coffee table for about 2 months.. Not surprisingly, the movie sucked so I turned it off only to see the game was now 10-9 with the A's trailing by one. They pulled it out to win 15-10. What would have happened if the movie had been good? I would have missed it!

Unfortunately, the same thing happened when I went to the bar to watch the Bengals play the Steelers. Good friend Brian Leonard plays and we like to watch it at the crowded bar since we don't get it on tv here. So anyway, Bengals were losing 20-9 in the 4th and it was a dismal game. So we left only to find out the Bengals pulled out a win 24-21. Crazy how that happens! Plus, Brian converted the extra point.

My point...never turn your back on what you think is a losing situation. With hard work, it might turn around. Oh, and don't ever rent Paul Blart--waste of brain cells.
-E

Charlotte

2009-09-23T17:01:00.000-07:00

How happy was I that Buffy named her baby Charlotte Grace? Not only the name of my main character in my first two books, Charlotte is a classy name and I'm relieved SMG didn't name her something stupid like Sparrow.

Okay, most of you who know me understand that my favorite TV show of all time is Buffy and my secret shame is online celebrity gossip. Oh yes, I have been reading Ted Casablanca since he was at Premiere Magazine and left for E!Online back in 1995. He has even responded to a few of my emails over the years causing excess giddiness on my part. Perez Hilton--that guy can go to hell. He is vile and repulsive. Anyhow...

Some say celeb news is a waste of time. I might concur except that I found a way to channel the knowledge that took up space in my brain into my third book. A spinoff of the first two, it will take place in Hollywood and follow two of the characters introduced in the first two books--Sarah and Cooper. Winston Wyatt debutes as the gay gossip columnist who will add humor and logic to an otherwise angst filled plot full of conspiracy, drugs, melodrama and of course love. I can't wait to debut it to everyone.

Otherwise, on the playlist today: Collective Soul (they have a permanent place), The Sammies, PorkChop Express, and Franz Fernidad.

Cheers.

New Website

2009-09-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

Check it out---I finally got around to redesigning my website:

ElizabethAloe.com

I have such a large inventory of necklaces and earrings so it was hard to figure out what to showcase right now, but I will be switching out pics on occasion. I'm almost in a San Francisco boutique..just working out logistics. I really like the store and think my jewelry will complement the clothes very well.

On the playlist right now..Collective Soul. Seriously. Its Collective Soul all the time only because I just attended my 12th show last Monday. They are still phenomenal, but they have a lot more fans now which means I don't get to be in front anymore. Boo. It's still worth it and I still get a super thrill when they play my favorite songs.

Off to get a haircut and highlight and then a nice dinner in the San Francisco tonight. Looking forward to it.

XOXO

It's September

2009-09-11T16:23:00.000-07:00

A thought occured to me as I was driving home from San Luis Obispo this past weekend. Its September already! Normally I cringe at the thought of summer slipping away, but then realized I don't have to deal with the cold winter this year and, *poof*, I didn't mind the impending Fall and sort of laughed that I won't have to put in the -20 degree liner protection in my winter coat. Knowing me, I will wear flip flops into December and then start again in February.

Today is September 11. I still remember where I was when I got the news. This day still puts me in a horrible mood thinking about what happened. Yes, humans are fickle and like to forget the bad and move on. I see that. I guess this year is a bit tough because I spent the past year writing a novel that centered around experiences on 9/11 so the feelings have been a bit...fresh.

On a brighter note, Collective Soul is in town on Monday! I will be up front and personal with my favorite band ever. Check out the new single, Welcome All Again. Very catchy for the playlist.

Losing family members

2009-08-30T16:33:00.001-07:00

We finally got the call that my 98 year old grandma passed away. After a fall that broke her elbow, she just never recovered physically and when my dad told her she wouldn't be able to go home again, she simply said, "well, then its time to go."

She passed away that night.

What strikes me is that I feel relieved. She lived a good, long life--outliving my grandpa 20 years. I guess grandparents that make it to their 90s are a bit easier to let go then say grandparents who face alzheimers in their 60s and leave us too soon in their 70s.

We were lucky with my grandma because she was sharp as a tack up till the night she passed. It was her body that was betraying her and making life difficult. I can only hope I can decide one night in my late 90s that its "time to go."

So now I have no living grandparents. I guess its time to really focus on the next generation behind me. Babies now...young and strong but so full of life and promise.

Nostalgia

2009-08-24T14:24:00.000-07:00

On the playlist today: Ivy, Collective Soul, Suicidal Tendencies and Porkchop Express.

So I ventured into the city not once by twice this week for nostalgic fun. First up was Porkchop Express' CD release party at the Beale St Bar and Grill. How much fun was it to see a band that I witnessed come together seven years ago jamming in a living room to now playing in front of a crowd and releasing another CD? Fabulous. As Coco said, "Buy a t-shirt for $10 and a cd for $10 or by both for $30." I see loads of talent in that band.

Second was hanging out with Steve in the Marina and eating at Houston's. Now most of my SF friends laugh when I say Houston's is one of my favorite restaurants in SF. I never recommend it to friends when they visit because I would rather them experience North Beach or the Mission, but for me its probably one of the most nostalgic places because it is located right next to the old CNET building where my co-workers/friends and I spent many happy hours (and work hours...but shhh.) I just love being in that part of the city (plus the parking is fairly easy). The rest of the day was spent walking down Chestnut street and visiting boutiques. I found a great one who most likely will take some of my jewelry pieces. So exciting.

Steve and I also saw the movie 500 Days of Summer. Two thumbs up for this very creative, very interesting and well acted movie.

The second book in my series is almost done and I will be sending it out to my peeps to read shortly.

Ciao for now!

Old Friends

2009-08-17T20:36:00.001-07:00

I had the pleasure of meeting up with one of my old friends from high school this past weekend. Actually, she and her husband are both old friends and it was really fun to see them. I hadn't seen her husband since his graduation in 1988. Yes..that's 20 years. 21 years to be exact.

How is it that we can not see someone for 15-20 years and then meet up like we just saw each other yesterday? Despite completely different lifestyles, we still have the common ground of memories and old laughs. Sometimes I find her memories don't exactly match what I remember but that's the great thing about having so much distance from those memories...they can be selective.

So anyway, it was great to catch up with you, CCO! You have done well with your boys and should be proud. Thanks for sharing that part of the past we sometimes choose to forget. They weren't that bad, were they?

Healthcare

2009-08-10T20:33:00.000-07:00

I've been sorta following the news about all the town hall meetings regarding the healthcare bill Obama wants to push through. After reading about 100 pages of the actual bill and feeling my eyes glaze over, I wondered who, in actuality, found the time and energy to read the whole damn thing? From what I can gather, this bill is taking millions from a bankrupted Medicare to pay for it. So how do you actually rob peter to pay paul and not feel the repurcussions into the next generation?

I want people to stop and think about what nationalized healthcare is going to to do to this country. I went back to school to learn the healthcare industry and saw clearly that Medicare is a very very flawed system. Here's the basics. You have doctor A who charges $25 for an office visit. Affordable? Pretty much. Well, Medicare came in and said, "ok, you take on these patients but we will only pay $10 of the $25 you charge." So now, the doctor either goes to the patient for the money or eats it. Most often, the doctors will eat the charge. So, to make up for the loss, the doctor now charges $50 to get back that $25 he originally wanted to charge. To add salt to the wounds, there is law in place that prevents these doctors from discounting more than 10% to those who do pay cash or have other insurance. So basically, medicare is one of the many reasons medical bills are increasing.

Is this what we want for nationalized healthcare? Seriously, do we want these bureaucrats who know nothing about economics make these decisions for us? I don't think the issues will go as deep as the aged being euthanized as I've heard at the townhall meetings, BUT the government WILL make you wait months for a surgery or prevent you from getting the medication you need because you need to take step therapy first (taking the over the counter drugs before they allow doctors to prescribe the generic or tier 2 preferred brand).

I understand there are millions of people without health insurance. I have been one of those people who couldn't afford my healthcare while I was unemployed. However, I find the more the government starts mandating, the worse it is going to get. Car insurance might be fairly regulated, but its still privatized and the free market of competition keeps prices fairly even. If you get lots of tickets or cause accidents, your premium goes up. Why can't health insurance be that way? Why is it that a lot of the uninsured can afford a car plus insurance for the family, but not healthcare? I'm one of those people. I would never give up paying for my car insurance. I like to drive and its affordable.

Another issue is putting medical into benefits packages for the employed. Instead of catering to the corporations by bundling packages tailored to benefits packages, the insurance companies should be focusing on the individual and finding ways for them to pay for their own insurance across state borders. Hey, if I find Blue Cross/Blue Shield of California not to my liking, I should be able to find one in Florida that provides me better services. Taking it out of the responsibility of the employers and putting it into the responsibility of the individual, it would up our salaries and we would probably better job security. Prices would come down for the individuals because there would be more competition.

I know its not so black and white, but we are totaly going in the opposite direction and if we think its hard now, just imagine when all of Gen X and Y are on Medicare and SS. We will be living longer with less care. Do you think that is a good idea?

Settling...

2009-08-08T16:51:00.000-07:00

I've been discussing marriage and relationships with some friends lately and it got me to thinking about settling down. Why is it that so many people feel the need to settle with someone because its "the thing to do"? One couple I know is completely miserable after she gave an ultimatum on marriage thinking he would change once they moved in together married. I wanted to tell her they were incompatible and his dragging his feet to the altar was a sign, but she wouldn't have listened. It was all about being married. Its still about being married. To her, its better to have a miserable husband than it is to be single and happy with her life. I feel she settled. I think they both settled but probably will never divorce because they prefer being miserable.

So how do you know if that person is right for you and you aren't settling? I don't know. If I knew that answer there wouldn't be any divorce lawyers. I do know that if had I married any of my previous boyfriends (including the 4 year relationship I just broke off) I would be completely miserable. I guess I tried to envision them as husbands, dads, or even someone who would take care of me if I got sick. They didn't pass muster. One wouldn't even come over when I got violently sick with the flu one day. I lived alone and it would have been nice for him to at least check on me.

Then it occurred to me that I was picking these guys because I knew I didn't want to deal with that part of the relationship with them. Maybe I haven't been ready to meet the guy that will make me happy and I can grow old with. I'm very glad I have waited until I am older to look at long term committment because I feel I will make a better decision. I might have missed out on kids, but that's okay. I love my niece and get to see her a lot.

Working

2009-08-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

Being employed is totally overrated. Seriously, we work day in day out to live paycheck to paycheck barely seeing our savings go up. What's it all worth? There's something to be said for stability, but in this day and age, what is true stability? Companies have no loyalty to their employees...only to the their bottom line. If they reorg, they will get rid of your position without thinking twice if it helps save money.
I used to think that being loyal would mean a long career in an industry I enjoyed. No longer. I was bounced out faster than you can say, "dot.com bomb." So what do we do now? What do we tell kids graduating from college to expect out there?
Here's what I would tell them: Go to graduate school. Seriously, get that MBA, that law degree, that MFA, or whatever. Put off getting into the real world as long as you can. If graduate school isn't an option, find an entry level job and move companies every two years. The only way to move up in salary and move forward is to job jump. I would have never said that 12 years ago, but times have changed. Companies aren't loyal to us so why should we be loyal to them? Loyalty should only lie with being true to ourselves and those close to us. Oh, and be nice to your co workers. You CAN get ahead by being a mentor rather than an asshole.

Rob Pattinson

2009-07-27T19:27:00.000-07:00

Hello. My name is Elizabeth and I'm a Rob Pattinson addict. I'm here today to tell you about my complete addiction to the britboy who is the hottest thing in the world right now. How did this addiction come about? I can actually answer that because when I first saw pictures of him I thought, THAT'S the fugly guy who is playing the beautiful beyond imagination Edward in the Twilight series? My thoughts changed once I started following his interviews. He is charming in a self depecrating way. He has no desire to be "hollywood" and thinks he is totally overrated. I admire this boy's composure in the face of screaming tweens (and cougars) everywhere. Can you imagine going from obscurity to overnight sensation and not being able to be out in public without being accosted? Look at what happened to Elvis and Michael Jackson? Anyhow, I find him fascinating and even more fascinating is his relationship with Kristen Stewart. Why do these two completely eclipse Brangelina in the "are they or aren't they"? I could have cared less about Brad and Angie but I'm obsessed with knowing FOR SURE if Robsten exists.

Yes, I'm a freak but at least I know I'm not alone. Several of my friends who could careless about Twilight are finding themselves in awe of this guy. I probably wouldn't have even bothered with Twilight had he not starred in it. So there. I admit it and I'm doing nothing to stop this addiction.

-E

PS-Twilight actually sucks as far as the writing is concerned. It was like Stephanie Meyere watched Season 2 of Buffy and then decided to write a book about it. And you all know my loyalty to anything Buffy/Angel/Spike.

Love to feel the rain in the summertime...

2009-07-24T17:48:00.000-07:00

Hey Kids,

Been away starting my new job the past few weeks. I'm mentally exhausted not to mention the blisters I have on my feet from wearing heels all day. Going from flip flops 24/7 to heels in a matter of days is a poor exercise in physical extremism. Anyhow, hopefully all will be well in a couple weeks when I have a few miles of walking in heels under my belt.

So, my new job covers a large territory here in the bay area and I spend a lot of time in my car. I have been making some fun cds to listen to and thought I would share some of the songs. they are great for summertime:

Rain in the Summertime - The Alarm
I Gotta Feeling - Black eyed peas (my new favorite)
Zero - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Lips Like Sugar - Echo and The Bunnymen
Gravity/Falling Down - Alejandro Escovedo (ok, children laughing is lame, but the song is kick ass)
Pinecone - The Sammies
Vacation - Go Gos
Beautiful Day - Collective Soul and U2
15 Step - Radiohead
Love Me Like That - Michelle Branch

Well, hope you need some fun songs for your playlist.

-E

Summertime

2009-07-09T16:15:00.000-07:00

Summertime usually means a nice break for most of us--vacations, boating on the lake, hanging out at the beach or pool, and shortened friday workdays. I know in Minnesota most companies let employees leave at noon on fridays. They really only get one weekend of summer, so they might as well get to enjoy it.

Anyhow, this got me to thinking about my past summers. There were the kid summers where I spent all day at the pool only to be dragged home at 6 for dinner. I was tan, didn't have a care in the world except breaking records at the swim meets, and my family and I relished in watching Night Tracks on TBS where we actually got to see music videos (this was the mid 80s). We would make nachos and settle in waiting for our favorites to play--Eye of the Tiger, Vacation, Billie Jean, Cum on Feel the Noise, etc.

Then came the camping trips to the beach along the California coast...Pismo and San Clemente. I still remember the summer we drove through San Luis Obispo so I could see Cal Poly (I fell in love with my alma mater and the town that day) and got to see Return of the Jedi. The days spent boogy boarding in the waves and camping at night are so a part of me, I now find I can't stand to live away from the beach anymore.

Then came high school where I worked all summer as a maintenance person (ie Janitor) for the local athletic club. It was a great job...social, fun, and I hardly did any work except fill the soap dispensers and take out the garbage...all for $3.75/hr. I still spent a lot of time at the pool, but I now had some responsibility and hey, I had a drivers license now. Plus, boys had entered my life and my friends and I were too busy figuring out how to find our crushes at the mall and around town.

I spent two summers in college in classes one of which was probably the best summer of my life and the foundation for the book I just wrote. I also spent a summer in Switzerland where I actually found my independence. As great as it was, I wished I had been a little older for that summer. It was a shock to me to be across the globe from my family and boyfriend when I was only 19. Yes, I was homesick...plus I was working in a foreign language.

Now, summers just seem to pass by with no more than a casual tan. Since I don't have kids, I don't really spend any time at the pool and I feel I have lost that sense of fun that summer used to have. Maybe someday when my books are published and I can write full time, I might be able to enjoy them again like I did as a kid. Now, where can I find a popsicle?

Waiting by the phone

2009-07-01T18:32:00.000-07:00

I just about had a heart attack today. Seriously. My phone rang and after digging through my purse, I found it and noticed it was my new manager calling. Now, I haven't started my new job yet (starts Wed July 8) and I wasn't expecting to hear from her this week. She sounded all serious and said, "I have some heavy information to give you...do you have a couple minutes?"

I felt that feeling of bad news coming...where the blood leaves your head, your face flushes and your heart just about beats out of your chest. My first thought was, "OMG, they are firing me before I've even started!" I seriously thought she was calling me to tell me they eliminated my position. But, the good news was that she was just calling to tell me she was sending me documents for my training next week. Then why so serious?

So that got me thinking about how much I have come to DREAD receiving phone calls. I don't know what it is, but my instant negativity kicks in. It could be waiting for a job offer, a boutique to let me know if they will take my jewelry, a guy I've been dating wanting to cancel a date. The phone, to me, just SUCKS.

Which is why email is the best. Its efficient and feels less personal. I don't know, I just prefer it. I almost wish my managers could even give me my review through email. I can read it on my own time, in my happy place, and have a chance to think about the comments.

A lot of people would disagree with me and that is totally fine, but I have had so much bad news over the phone or from the phone not ringing that email is just easier to blunt the bad news.

Now, would someone call me and tell me some good news? :)

Looking into a mirror

2009-06-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

This is all about middle age. My late thirty something birthday is coming up at the end of July and I started thinking about looks. Why is it that I look in the mirror and still see that cute 27 year old girl but then see pictures that tell a completely different story? Its not that I'm getting wrinkles (my face is too plump for that) but my eyes look different...like the stuff they've seen makes my face older and way less attractive. I still have the same nose, but it definitely has more age spots (thanks to countless hours of tanning).

I still look at my friends from my past and while some of the guys have lost some hair, everyone still looks the same to me. Some actually look better with age. I don't mind getting older, but I guess I just mind having the surprise hit me when I see pictures of myself.

Anyhow, just wondering if anyone else has this problem?

2009-06-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

I was having a debate the other day with two friends about whether the man should pay for a first date or the tab should be split between both parties. One friend (male) said he always expects the tab to be split primarily because he was raised that men and women are equals. The other friend (female) said she thinks the man should pay, but she always offers to split it. Surprisingly, it was a very heated debate that included what the actual definition of a first date is and whether a woman expecting to have the check picked up is a gold digger.

Ok, so here are my thoughts (and I do believe I'm an expert because I have gone on A LOT of first dates...he he). Lets assume you all know better than to go on a first date somewhere fancy and expensive. I'm keeping this at happy hour beers or coffee where the tab will be no more than $10-12. My thoughts, as a woman, are that the man should cover it. My male friend will (and has) argued this point that its not fair and the woman should pay half especially if there isn't going to be a second date. Fine, if you both believe there is no chemistry and no further dates, that's ok. I have paid my way on many bad first dates. However, guys, an insight into the female psyche is this: women like romance. It has nothing to do with getting a free meal, drinks or whatever. It has everything to do with the gesture itself. Maybe its a little test to see if he thinks I'm worth it enough to cover me? I can't explain it and it might not make sense, but that's how it is. No matter how much women's lib beats in gender equality, when it actually comes to male/female relationships and dating, its still fun to be old fashioned. Now, if there ends up a second and third date, then yes, the woman should step in and pick up a tab.

It's all about that first date. The first meeting. In this day and age of internet dating, that first meeting is going to be the first impression. But guys, if she doesn't offer to pay for anything at the third date, then something is wrong. You shouldn't be taken advantage of....

Thoughts? (not you KG..I know your thoughts)

past relationships

2009-06-24T13:51:00.001-07:00

The 20th high school reunion is this year and coupled with that fact that I just hung out with people that graduated with me in college, I am feeling a bit nostalgic. Not for my past per say, but for all the relationships I had cultivated in those early years only to never see them again.

However, now that Facebook has really caught hold, my past has come back to me and I find it a very pleasant experience. Sure, there are people I don't want in my life at all, but there are so many that I am thrilled to have reconnected with even if its been almost 20 years! It's like getting to know them again, but with a different perspective. I'm not worried about being accepted or liked by them anymore, I'm just content they want to know what I'm doing in my life. We can go out, have a drink, hang out, reminisce and then go home. There is no obsession about needing to feel included or liked. Either you want to hang out with me or you don't. We share a part of our lives that was probably important to the both of us, but we now have middle age in common and can go forward from there.

So, with that being said, I'm so grateful to everyone on my Facebook that has shared some form of my past with me. I'm thrilled to have you in my life (again) or thrilled that you never left.

Keeping it going

2009-06-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm a little bit of a late bloomer. All through my twenties and early thirties, I watched my friends and family succeed at what they were doing whether it be with a career or starting their own families. I kept wondering what the hell was wrong with me? Why was I so behind the eight ball? My career was in the toilet thanks to the dot.com bust, I was no where NEAR meeting someone I could fall in love with. Forced to move away from San Francisco and landing in Minneapolis, I met a lot of great people and even bought my first house. However, I was still in the same rut as before...no passion or drive to move myself out of my comfort zone. No goals and no long term vision.

One day, when I was visiting my folks, my mom took me to a bead shop where I built a necklace. Now, three years later, I look back at the moment and realize that is where my passions woke up. I had a talent. It took about a year to work it, but I finally realized people actually LIKED my creations. It wasn't hard, it wasn't a struggle and I LOVED doing it. So when I sat down to finally write that novel I had been wanting to do, it further proved that life is so much more interesting when you follow your gut and do what you were meant to do. Once I got that first novel completed (although still editing), the second took off and now I am almost done with both. It is going to take a lot of hard work to figure out how to get and agent and publish, but you know what, that doesn't bother me. I want to enjoy the whole process (despite the numerous rejections). I want to enjoy the road because for me, writing is now my passion. I bet if you spoke to my friends, they would agree considering how long my emails tend to be.

Suffice it to say, passion is what drives us. It forces us to continue. Your passion could be money, kids, the beach, or painting. Whatever it is, it is the feeling that helps us continue towards our goals.