I am brat

Not in a Paula Abdul live action movie about dolls kind of way.
Just a brat.
To illuminate...
There is some construction work current in motion on our office building. With all my luck, it is on my side and just a floor above mine. It's been a clangy bangy morning. This coupled with a pretty busy day of three different sets of meetings on a couple different floors for my folks, it's been a bit crazy around here (which I'm cool with, crazy can be fun).
In the past 45 minutes I've grown very close to our elevators as I've been on them for 7 or 8 trips. We have three - two nice elevators and a freight. Each time I've climbed onto one of the nice ones, there is a construction person on it covered in dust/muck/dirt. It's not an easy gig, my dad was a stone mason for over 50 years - I think I saw him dusty more often than not.

My brattitude reared it's ugly head on the fifth trip as I stood in the elevator in my shiny Kenneth Cole Boots and Donna suit (I love eBay, but that is another topic) , in my head I seriously looked at the fellow and thought

"Aren't you supposed to be using the freight elevator?"

For that moment, I was every bratty girl in the movies that ends up not getting the guy b/c she's a brat.
BRAT!
I need to corral my Brattitude for the day.

Ok, I'll admit, sometimes it's fun to be bratty, but that situation usually involves Grey Goose, excellent munchies and the type of women described in Pink's song "Stupid Girls."

Woman on Steet

My voice over debut! In a last minute request for a Spanish speaker a few months back for an old time radio style type show around Indiana Jones, I raised my hand, "Hey, pick me! pick me! I'm a Garcia - can't get more Spanish than that." So I sent in the lines (all 3 words) and didn't hear anything back. Time carried on and I won the roles of "Reporter" and the "Lexcorp Towers Model 53E personal transportation system" and the "Diggahs took my bay-bee" line and didn't put any more thought into the Indy show. Saturday the episode was released and I was listening... hey...wait a minute... and history was made. It was a nice surprise after a week that left me good and pooped. If you have some time, have a listen not just for my millisecond debut, the sound work and acting is pretty good. These folks work really hard and a lot of fun.

Cocoa Therapy Part III

Yesterday I did not have a brave day – I was off my game, I recovered some but it’s hard. I found myself not myself – like I was bystander, observing, contemplating, taking in what was around me and processing it. The trigger was a 30 second diatribe by someone above my pay grade who spoke down to me in front of someone above their pay grade. I didn’t feel I deserved this especially not in front those who could have some impact on my future. I was disappointed – that’s the right word. I felt let down by someone I respected by behavior that was uncalled for. Knowing that person as I do, I know follow up comments were made about me to those around b/c that is their M/O. Again, disappointing – I guess I expected better behavior or a sense of decorum. A recognition that a verbal tear down should have been private, not recreation.

The tirade felt overcooked for the situation: I wasn’t at my desk to answer my phone immediately.

I know, I know – this is not a utopia of thoughtful, mature people.
If dark chocolate was free –there is a utopia I can get behind… yeah.

I sit, I sip, I ponder semi-deeply
I think, I wonder, I admire rather sleeply
I retract and detract, collect thoughts professionally
And reminded Higher Paid Grade, “You know... sometimes,... I have to pee”

corajoso, valeroso

Every year I try to participate in a charity event -
I like to have a theme or driving word - something that guides me and reminds me to keep going when I'm afraid.

brave /breɪv/ adjective, brav·er, brav·est, noun, verb, braved, brav·ing.
–adjective
1. possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.
2. making a fine appearance.
3. Archaic. excellent; fine; admirable.
–noun
4. a brave person.
5. a warrior, esp. among North American Indian tribes.
–verb (used with object)
6. to meet or face courageously: to brave misfortunes.
7. to defy; challenge; dare.

To be brave in the face of adversity, of insurmountable odds - to be brave and survive and succeed.

LORD help me on those hills, but I'll be brave.More to come one this...

I've been working steady today, getting things in order, trying to be less of a smarty (to the crankies). I find I need a rhythm, a beat, not to just walk to, but to type to, to read to, to function to - like my own personal soundtrack. In the movies, the characters seem to get so much done in so little time and all thanks to a good tune with a great beat.Today I'm in a smarty mood but my tasks have kept me typing, reading, searching. So I put in my earphone (just one so I can appear to be paying attention) and put on a playlist with a large selection of music from one particular artist. This artist and I have very little in common but I would have to say about 85% of their music is on heavy ipod rotation. Thoughtful lyrics, well marked melodies. If I had an office - four walls with a door, I would singing right along. I've found if I sing along in my cube, I get funny looks.

I typed, I tapped my toes, I tipped my coffee cup and copied copies all to a beat, a rhythm. iPod's should be issued at birth (random thought)


Thanks for todays soundtrack....

Cocoa Therapy, Part Deux

You'd be amazed what a warm sweet beverage can do for the soul. I sat back at home with a PHC (see previous post) and my blog and read back.

2006 was a bit of a test for me. Karmicly, it kind of stunk. I look back at some of the hurdles and found a general imbalance. Through my hurdles and those of my family. I kept praying and wishing and working. In retrospect, I received a lot of hope and kindness and love and I don't think i gave it back - 2006, though an even number,was a year of imbalance.

So 2007 will be a year of atonement - a year to making up for the previous year of taking. I'm not sure how to explain. I just know I need to stand up, be brave and face the new challenges. To give of myself more.

If a challenge doesn't feel scary or insurmountable, it's not worth the facing and no lesson can be learned. If you think "hey, I can do that" - where is the challenge? what have you learned? I need to get the proverbial stick out of ... well... you know...

2007 - odd, but balanced... just need to be brave

Man, that is one good cup of cocoa.

Cocoa therapy

It truly is the simple things in life that can brush away a stress moment, erase an awkward conversation or remind you that sometimes regressing back, even for just a moment, to being a 5 year old, is a must.
I am having such a moment.

I would like to thank my friend Lauren – she is the inspirer, inspirator, Inspiritress?

I am at the office (working hard as you can see) and I made myself a Peppermint Hot Cocoa.

1. Take one large mug – preferable one purchased at an airport or kiosk from a vacation – Mine is from San Francisco!
2. Place two small or one large peppermint stick, in pieces at the bottom of the mug.
3. Empty two packets of Sugar Free Hot Cocoa Mix – yes, sugar free, gotta watch the calories, no?
4. Added about ½ cup of really hot water and mix until the peppermint sticks are all nice and melty…mmmmmmm
5. Once all melty, add ¼ cup of non-dairy creamer – it adds to the creameriness of the instant cocoa and enough really hot water to fill the mug

Then craddle the mug in both hands, bring the mug up to your nose, close your eyes and imagine the last time you were excited about 3 feet of snow and take a long deep inhale. Hold it for a few seconds and then take a sip. And release…

Just a simple cup of cocoa and all it right with the world