Public Service Announcement

I had initially planned on writing this weeks blog about my 30th birthday bash. Just today I sent off the snapfish album and had over 180 photos to choose from for my write up. However (and unfortunately) an occurrence of unmeasurable despair has occurred and I feel it's more valuable to issue a Public Service Announcement instead of carry on about my fabulous Birthday Bash.

(Tune in next when when the despair will of likely dissipated and I'll be ready to share my Birthday Splendor).

The Monday night following my Birthday Bash my Jetta (pronounced with a think German tongue 'yetta') was violated. While parked in front of my parents Vancouver WA condo minding it's own baltic green self some nasty hamburglars decided to smash in my rear drivers window. They not only left heaps of glass in and outside of the car- they also got away with my Mapel holiday decors. Those selfish assholes. I had just spent all day Monday (along with a sweet and even tempered accomplice (that is until about the 11th hour)) shopping all over Portland for holiday decors. Being the savvy business owner that I am I knew I had to take advantage of no sales tax before returning to Seattle. (Yes- I had every intention of passing those "no sales tax" savings onto our dear Mapel customers).

The rest of my day was spent talking with my insurance company, Mapel's insurance company, glass repair shops and the stores I had purchased my holiday decors from. After 3 hours of waiting and $100 in repairs my 'yetta' was back in shape- alas my heart & peace of mind had not yet repaired.

What confused me was the ?why? and ?what the hell? of all this. I had Never had anything like this happen. My parents parking lot has video surveillance and is a quiet & safe area.

After a little Sherlock inquiry session with the local business' and residents we found out a number of other cars within a 5 mile radius had been broken into. Upon further investigation the window repair shop told me the below statistics (here follows my Pubil Service Announcement):
-On average they receive 5 calls or jobs for window repairs a day
(this does not include chipped windshields)
-That number slightly spikes after Thanksgiving & through the holidays
-Within the last month or so their average # of calls or jobs has increased to 20+

Well- there's my ?why? and ?what the hell?. I can only assume it's the #$%&* economy again. I vote we start a petition to turn this economy around. It's getting really depressing and annoying.
In close I want my dear readers to take heart and know that as per my usual M.O. I will not simply take this sitting down. Economy or not - breaking into my baltic green 'yetta' is uncalled for and reasons for retaliation. My even tempered shopping accomplice and I will be performing a sting operation before months end. No Joke. If necessary I will issue a citizens arrest.
You can't hold me (or my Mapel holiday loot) down. Those assholes.

W.O.W.

Upon turning 30 I received numerous "best wishes" and "words of wisdom". All of the W.O.W. (as in words of wisdom- come on... keep up) had to do with being content in who you are and laughing at yourself when necessary.

Essentially my girlfriends and I have been saying the same thing for years- however we've summed it up by saying "Own It". If you have read at least 2 of my blog postings you've likely read me referring to the power in "Owning It".

The turning of 3 decades got me to thinking about what I have learned with time about myself and others, how to be content, the power of owning it and laughing at yourself when necessary.

Before I start sounding like Oprah I wanted to recap a few things

my friends and I have come to love about ourselves:

To have that last cupcake that has been sitting on the lunchroom table at work. If nobody sees you eat it, the calories don’t count.

To indulge yourself in “bad” (but it’s sooo good) reality TV…Rock of Love, Flavor of Love,

I Love Money, Top Model…

To make an absolute & entire mess out of a hotel room you are sharing with girlfriends for the weekend. (Meaning- it's OK to live like a pig when away from your own home).

To wear a shirt with no pants – and call it a dress.

To have that 3rd glass of vino….it makes the decision to order the 4th, so much easier.

To pretend that you just can’t get that jar of pickles open, just so your big strong man can come to the rescue (he loves it)

To think that the only time a woman should NOT be wearing heels, is when she is at the gym or asleep (and that is even up for debate) – it’s also okay to think that heels under 4” are not even worth the bother…you might as well wear flats.

To spend at least 30 minutes of your work day online shopping at http://www.shopmapel.com/ – and still billing your time to the client (your clients expect you to look nice right?)

To carry mini bottles of alcohol in your purse – just for emergencies.

To do "yard work" as an excuse to get together with friends and gossip on a long Sunday afternoon.

To indulge in retail therapy – nothing can turn a winter day blue quite like a pair of new velvet skinny pants

How about you?
What are your "Owning It" moments?
Leave us a comment with your W.O.W!!!

New Orleans

This week I am celebrating 3 decades of existence. As a gift (and excuse to distract me from obsessing over what I did or didn't do with those 3 decades) a "friend" surprised me with a trip to New Orleans (here on out referred to as NO). I've never been. I have however been to Las Vegas and before arriving assumed NO was the Vegas of the east coast. My reasoning for assuming they were one and the same is that you can openly drink on the streets and necessary evening attire mandates at least 7 pieces of "flare".

I was wrong. NO completely trumps Vegas. Not only is flare & booze acceptable and encouraged but NO offers history, architecture, music, food and education. When is the last time someone came home from Vegas with a new perspective on the Civil War?

As per the all knowing Wikipedia NO is defined as follows:
The city is named after Philippe II, Duc d'Orléans, Regent of France, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. It is well known for its multicultural and multilingual heritage,cuisine, architecture, music (particularly as the birthplace of jazz),and its annual Mardi Gras and other celebrations and festivals. The city is often referred to as the "most unique" city in America.

Here follows my concurrence with Wikipedia (and a few attempts at humor so it doesn't get boring).

One of the oldest city in the United States:

Look closely and you will notice the building is tilted down to the right.

So old the storm drains are overflowing after a mild rain shower. I'm not complaining though 'cause overflowing storm drains also serve as drinking fountains. Can't say that in Seattle.

Multicultural and multilingual:

We likely spent 75% of our time in the French Quarter meeting street vendors, artists, musicians, magicians and palm readers.

Heritage:

You've probably heard about NO's social heritage.
Often resulting in lazy mornings dozing off in a doorway in the French Quarter.

Cuisine:

I tried alligator and never need to do that again.

I did however love the beignets and K Paul's Kitchen.

Architecture:

There is not enough space on this blog to share all the pics we took of the architecture.

I absolutely loved the intricate iron work, brick buildings and dedication to detail.

Mardi Gras:

Interestingly enough I read in the local paper that a lecture would be given at the museum with a panel of Mardi Gras costume designers. It was one of my favorite memories of NO.

Music:

I've saved the very best for last. Words can not describe the energy behind NO's music scene.

A few pictures can not describe the energy behind NO's music scene. Please refer to below YouTube link. We were fortunate enough to stumble across a brass band along Bourbon street. Everyone was "feeling the vibe". Notice the guy dancing with a single bike wheel. Possibly this is a new dance move i'm not savvy to. Also make note of the WUI (wheelchair under the influence).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqzDXw2iZ3w