Fan Mail

Advantages of your company-wide email server going down for an entire day:

1. No threat of receiving the authoritative "let's discuss" emails that result in putting any and all tasks on hold.
2. Extended periods of uniterruption result in higher levels of productivity
3. An opportunity to blog
4. Having a viable reason for why I didn't send the email I was supposed to send to a group of co-workers

Disadvantages:

1. Signing in to a website to temporarily view email and upon having zero messages, hearing the IT guy laugh and say "that's how important you are to the outside world!"

The Secret

The Secret is out.  If you haven't read this book yet, I recommend you do so immediately.  As someone who initially resisted reading this book, I can honestly say that I am only disappointed I didn't read it sooner.  If you want to improve your overall outlook on life and be in control of the things that happen to you, it's a must read.  Beware: if you use the phrase "thoughts become things" too often, your co-workers may become extremely annoyed.

It's Here

Consecutive days of 90+ degree weather...however unofficially, summer has arrived.

A few summer to-dos:

1. Get summer hair cut (for a reasonable price):  It is entirely too hot for hair half-way down my back.

2.  Turn on air conditioner. I tried to hold out as long as possible on the AC (what??  I am cold-natured and really enjoy utility bills less than $25) but since the temperature has been in the 80s since February, the effort was a good one.

3.  Double up on both daily plant waterings and work-outs.  Waiting too long to get into shape for summer makes this a necessity.

4.  Stock up on sunscreen.  You can still tan while wearing sunscreen!  Plus it beats going from pale to red in less than two hours.  My personal favorite is anti-aging, has a great smell, and is on sale!

When Bike Becomes Hike

If you plan to ride your bike by yourself and get a flat tire, be prepared to either a) repair the tire or b) walk 5 miles back to your house.

Note to self:  Learn how to fix a flat.

What are the odds?

What are the odds that a 57% on time flight connecting to a flight that is 75% on time with only a 34 minute layover at Houston international airport will be on time?  If not ahead of schedule I'm thinking arrival at final destination will at least be on time.       

In the meantime check out the flightview free (we never pay for apps!) app to keep tabs on any current or upcoming flights you'll be taking.

Spring Cleaning

Anyone who knows me knows I'm not the tidiest person and unfortunately my work space has fallen victim to my bad habits. Due to a fast paced environment, constantly receiving new tasks, and accumulation of "stuff" through two office moves, my office has become a complete disaster.  To the point that I'm pretty sure my office mates have a high level of anxiety just looking at my desk and bookshelf.  I certainly do.  So in the spirit of spring cleaning (and with the help of some co-workers), my office is looking much cleaner.  Now I find myself looking for other things to throw away...hopefully this was an intervention effort that will be effective in the long run!

Throwing it out!

It's That Time Again!

A year ago I created a March Madness post, the post (of the meager 26) of which I am most proud.  The post was creative, I had fun writing it, and it set the tone I wanted for my young blog.  For several reasons I knew it was a good post and thought about how I could top it in 2012 with a similarly themed, however more creative post.  Not claiming that I can but lack of effort admits defeat.  And I will not lose.  So here it goes…

Side note: I have not read this post since last year so any duplication lends itself to either stubborn thoughts that don’t waver or a declining memory and confirmation that I will in fact be the repeat story-telling Granny.

March Madness is one of the times of year to which I look most forward: perhaps odd for a girl but there is something about these three weeks of competition that unites people, sports and non-sports fans alike.  This is a time of year where an acknowledgement of reality can supersede the optimism and loyalty of a sports fan “I love my team but let’s get real, a #16 seed team has never won in the first round.  I don’t want to cheer against them but if I cheer for them...it could mess up my bracket.”  Or it is a time where optimism works against reality; get enough hopefuls on the same page and you’ll end up with a George Mason circa 2006 or last year’s Butler underBulldogs.  But whatever perspective you have, every year the slate is wiped clean.  Last year’s results don’t matter and anything can happen.  And because anything can happen, the anticipation of the tournament can bring the Lloyd Christmas out in people and that’s what I like most.

My knowledge of this year’s regular season results is very limited so as a new strategy to making my picks I checked some headlines in hopes of a few pieces of information. 

In addition to it appearing that today was not a good day to be a college basketball coach, I am going to assume Syracuse, UNC, Georgia Tech, SMU, and South Carolina won’t be playing well…if they’re even in the tournament.  I have yet to even look at the 2012 bracket.  But with a fast approaching deadline, my newfound information, and the optimism that the right selections will just come to me, I’m off to make my picks!  Happy picking and good luck!

Oh the Irony

Going on 10 weeks since my last post about how I was going to blog more, I realize the irony.  For all the excuses I could come up with for my lack of commitment (being a perpetual procrastinator, no internet access at home, lack of creative thoughts, "No time. Never any time.") I’ll skip over that and own it: I just haven’t done it.  Oh well, can’t dwell in the past.  Picking up from the last post and moving right along: Goal #2 for 2012. 

I am the absolute worst at returning emails, phone calls, and text messages in a timely manner, not to mention checking my regular mail.  Sometimes I think my parents suspect I’ve gone AWOL due to multi-week stretches of silence.  This isn’t intentional or done to avoid anyone, I just…well, I don’t have an excuse to not reach back out to the important people in my life.  Goal #2: quit procrastinating and return that phone call!

Cowboys and Cliches

Happy 2012!   Every year around this time, it is surprisingly easy to be uber optimistic about the year's upcoming activities, personal interactions, and anticipation for all things good.  While I'm not really a new year's resolution girl; a true resolution should come to you organically and sincerely at a time that may or may not coincide with January 1, I have identified a few goals I'd like to shoot for this year in the near future.

2011 was my first year with a blog and all I have to show for it is a mere 24 posts?!  At a rate of less than one post for every two weeks, my following of 8 is sure to dwindle quickly.   But I didn't start this blog for a gaggle of followers or approval of others; I actually enjoy writing and have fun posting when I do.  I'd like to do it more often.  So goal number 1 for the year is to blog more. 

Goal number 2....well, tune in tomorrow. If I'm going to fulfill goal number 1, I'll need something to blog about.  Goals 2-5 should get me through the weekend!