a. have a lot to say

b. have been learning a ton about social media & should be a crazy blogger by now

c. have plenty of times to watch “so you think you can dance”, but not enough time for true writing

d. just haven’t had felt like it. . .

answer: all of the above.

I am going to work on the Best of 2009 Blog Challenge to try and get myself back on track for the new year. I’ll start with a simple one.

December 1st

What was your best trip in 2009?

My best trip was last February. Ken and I went on the Cayamo Singer/Songwriter cruise through the US & British Virgin Islands. We went snorkeling, listened to amazing live music every night, ate amazing food, and I really fell in love with traveling all over again. Traveling is like a muscle if you don’t use it, it gets flabby (or even worse, you forget how much you love it).

Second best, seeing my sister’s new apartment in Chicago. Don’t get me wrong, Chicago is awesome, but what is really thrilling is seeing someone you love open themselves up to adventure and moving to a new city where they don’t know anyone because a quiet voice whispers “there is something more for you to do and be.” She is brave. No doubt.

Check pics from our cruise:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lapster/sets/72157615017843955/

– laura

It’s is especially nice to have such a great friend to travel with. That makes it all worth while!

My second best “travel” as been in and out of Portland, OR. I’ve been conscripted by my job to do IT support down there and I try to explore the city every time I go. There are some fantastic restaurants in Portland. Check them out.

– ken

So here is the start of my “party inspiration” for a small get together in August for fun and a late birthday celebration for Ken. 

• Fast food fun – burger baked goods
• Big dessert table
• Wiimbledon

Let the games begin!

However, today is a day for fathers and mine is the cream of the crop.  So here it is, in no particular order, three great things I have learned from my father (it is a challenge to boil all his love and wisdom down to just three pieces, but I’ll try!):

1. Go big, or go home.  It’s a mantra Ken and I tease about now, since we start out having a small idea that very quickly escalates into a giant project — see Halloween Ghoul.  One of the best things about my dad is that whenever I have an idea — he is always open and excited.  Very rarely (if ever) has he said — that’s impossible, or maybe I shouldn’t try to do so much, or that dream is too big.  Quite the contrary, so many of his ideas about running a successful business (60 years and counting) and as a community leader resonate from a true authentic place of enthusiasm and passion.  He’s not afraid of a challenge, and his support makes me feel bold.
2. Mind Over Matter.  I never really got this part of my dad’s philosophy as a kid.  Something bad would happen at school or at work and my dad would always ask, what is good about this?  Sometimes I want to scream, “Dad don’t you get it — this is a mess!  Everything is terrible!” But with loving perseverence he kept saying — what can we learn here? How can we change our own mindset?  Jump forward, about 15 years and I’m studying Buddhism and Eastern Religion.  One of the primary pillars of eastern thought is — the only thing you can change is your own mind.  Second, whatever you expect to happen in a situation, will! So always work to be open, gracious, and optimisitic — and good things will come.  My dad works to find the best in any situation.  It’s a gift he has, and has shared with my sister and I.
3. It should be fun.  At first, this may sound silly — some might even say wasteful.  What good is fun?  Well, besides just the obvious answer, that life is a journey and it might as well be fun!!! Over and over in management books and productivity blogs one primary lesson (see A Whole New Mind or Meeting on the Right Side of the Brain) is that joy makes you work harder, remained focused, and achieve more than any threat or fear could do.  My father studied recreation in college and his need to laugh and play is one of the best things about him.  Don’t believe me? You can’t help but be joyful in his presence sometimes, and his playful disposition makes everyone around him feel brave and happy — what better leadership is there than that?

On this day of celebrating dads, I could go on and on, about all the gifts he’s taught me.  This is a good start! Happy Father’s Day to my Dad! I’ve learned so much from you.  I love you!

I say that because although Ken and I were volunteering for good causes, I had an agenda of what I would like to get out of the experience.  Sometimes this works, sometimes — not so much, so be careful with your own expectation when you offer to help out with an event or organization.  However, a good sense of why you are there and what you would like from it can be helpful in focusing your energy when there are “so many ways to help.”

When Ken and I returned from our musical vacation this year, we made an agreement to have more music in our lives.  He’s been picking up the guitar everyday, and I’ve been responsible for finding shows to see.  I love watching live music, but lets just say, my finances have not made spending $30-50 per ticket possible.

So, I signed up for a few ways to volunteer with two bands I like — Vienna Teng and the Indigo Girls — and when they came to town we saw the shows for free.  Working with Vienna Teng, her manager sent me a bunch of postcards that Ken and I dropped off all over the city.  We spent a morning walking our neighborhood, and then as I went into coffee shops or bookstores, I would drop some by the door or on the bulletin board.

With the Indigo Girls show, they were partnering with Rock for the Remedy, an organization that partners musicians and local food banks.  Concertgoers bring canned food to shows and they get entered in a raffle to win cool stuff.  We volunteered by sitting at the Remedy table and then watched the second half of the show for free.

So here are my suggestions for how to get involved to have a little fun (and maybe make a difference in the process):

1. Enlist Yourself.  If there is a group whose work you admire, or a cause that seems interesting sign up for their newsletter or their weekly alerts.  Most groups make asks for help or assistance with their work all the time.  So keep your eye out and stay in the loop for opportunities and future events.
2. Look for the Freebie.  There is a great exhibit at a local museum that I want to see (Muppets at the EMP), but regular admission is $15 per adult (too much for me). So, I did a little research and found that between 5-8pm on the first Thursday of each month, guest admission is free.  So Ken and I put it on our schedule as a June 4, Thursday night date.  Art Galleries, Park Concerts, Farmer�s Markets � all free, all fun.  Do a little online research to find deals near you.
3. Persistence and Patience.  I signed up to help out Vienna Teng in February, got her weekly alerts, but couldn�t find a way to help until April.  I emailed Rock for the Remedy three times before someone contacted me.  All this is to say that good groups and causes are often overwhelmed and not always streamlined about their response time � so be patient.  Don�t expect because you haven�t heard back in a day or two that they are uninterested, but just as important, don�t hesitate to drop them an additional note in another week.  I know, they should be grateful to have your skills and talents offered to them (and they are), but usually there is a small staff and a lot of priorities so a friendly welcoming reminder is a great way to stay fresh in people’s mind. 
4. If you build it, they will come.  It never hurts if you see an opportunity to suggest a way you can help.  Is the organization having a fundraiser � maybe you could help out on the night of the event?  Help them, help you — by telling them how they can use your skills.  Does your favorite band have a fan blog � maybe you could write a post and/or start a discussion group?  There are limitless ways to help and become involved.   If you don�t get a response (or you don’t get the response you would like), build your own opportunity.  Creativity Welcome.

The exciting part for us though was the opening band, The Paper Raincoats, a duet of Alex Wong and Amber Rubarth (w/
Adam Christgau on drums — I hope that is his name?).� They were incredible.� We bought their new album Safe In The Sound (also available on Itunes).

Ken and I went into the bar of the Triple Door after the show and we couldn’t stop talking about them.� Not only do they have a beautiful turn of phrase in their lyrics, but their harmonies are sweet, joyful, and stay with you long after the show has passed.

They had such an effect on us that we left the show and planned on adding all sorts of texture, bass, drum, and fun to our own music.� I think that is the best compliment any musician can get.

So enough said, check them out.� They are good.� I’m lovin it.

Give Vienna a Listen!

• a husband
• a size 8 jean
• maybe a baby
• a job in the leadership of an organization
• professionally being sought out as “an expert” of something — who knows what
• a funky modern loft or house
• and the list goes on and on

The thing that surprises me most about my life is how different it is from the life I envisioned and how much better it is now that I have arrived in this moment.

• no husband, but a partner I’m madly in love with.� My relationship with him is even better than I dreamed it could be.
• no size 8, but a size 12, and a healthy outlook on my body — and I’m still hitting the gym and letting myself eat pizza, a brilliant balance if I do say so myself.
• no baby, but two animals who I can nurture and spoil — and the best part, I can just ignore their early morning meow and whining and sleep in.
• Yeah, expert is all relative. If you become an expert, there is less to learn, so I’ll celebrate myself as a student and beginner forever.
• The modern loft and house I still want.� See my current inspiration from Caroline Eclectic
• But now my list goes on and on with hope and possibilities

So here are a few birthday wishes for myself.

• That my prayers manifest themselves as laughter, creativity, and dancing
• That I envision and act on a life so unique and so authentic to whom I am — it seems almost ridiculous that I didn’t get here earlier because it is so obvious that it’s my calling.
• That my spiritual life blooms into a daily practice — whatever that means
• That my work continues to be filled with innovation, service, and arms outstretched toward a better world. You gotta give em hope!
• That I am able to communicate and act in a way that lets all those who I love most, feel loved and supported always
• That I am able to learn the lesson without carrying the circumstance of difficult challenges
• That my life turns out to be even better than I can even dream for myself
• And my wishes go on and on. . .

Bring it on 32!