Fashionable?

Everyone knows I'm concerned with being fashionable. What, you say? that's not true? Since I don't lie, it must be pure, unadulterated SARCASM. Sometimes it is just plain fun. Don't be offended, just move along if you don't like it. If you're wondering where this is going, just keep reading. I am too, but I do have an idea here as I type. I contemplated making a Facebook post this morning asking my friends if I wear a blouse that belonged to my mother many years ago, if that counts as "vintage" and if that somehow makes me hip or trendy (as every so many years it become popular to recycle styles, items, or eras). Of course I don't really care at all, but i've seen people discussing "vintage" again recently as a way to save money, reconnect with bygone times, and so on. Today, for me, it just seemed like the colors worked and because it was Mom's it helps me feel like she's right here with me instead of 45 or 50 miles away.

In my sense of "style" the factors are always comfort, ease of care, durability, and cost/value (and of course, "what's clean?"). If I were wealthy and living in another era, I'd so be a Chanel or Armani "classic" look. Since i live here and now and don't budget for much beyond rent, utilities, and student loans, I still kind of sport the clearance rack/bag sale look. Do you know what? there's no shame in that; Mom taught me how to work that decades ago; I'm just plain too lazy to make sure my socks match my pants every day...when you walk a couple miles or more, you wear sports socks darn it. Pack the matching ones for work if it's essential. Where I work, it's not. The boss wears stretchy pants to work. 

Smile! It's Friday Afternoon!

Thanks to my friend Maureen for sending a hilarious list of "truths" this afternoon. There are several that make me smile or laugh, and a few i've actually pondered.

I have just managed to wipe away some of the dust that was building on my desk around my computer (without making mud! woot!). I've been "shrinking the paper piles" and it's starting to look like ii'm on top of things around here (scary, I know. That means I'm "ready" for this impending onslaught of additional responsibility, but it'll be more fun to scare them all into thinking I'm getting ready to leave.)

Have a FUN weekend and don't take yourself or anyone else too seriously for at least a day or two.

"overslept"

I was absolutely determined not to miss work during November, my darkest, dreariest month, because I wanted to make absolutely certain that i don't succumb to the downward spiral of doom and gloom. My fatigue is practically a perpetual state but it doesn't need to be acknowledged or indulged! Well, of course I managed to miss a day! It turned out to be quite a blessing of sorts, though. It appears that I snoozed right on through my first cell phone alarm and the second never sounded. It was raining, so it was both quiet and dark out, more than usual. My cat has ceased to act as an alarm in the morning as well, because he seems to like snuggle time, too. These factors contributed to me not being fully aware of myself or the day until after 8am, which is really, really "late" by my usual standards. I'm normally up by 4:30 or 5, halfway down the street by 6, and out of town before 6:30. A "late" but still manageable workday is leaving town on the 7:15am bus. That costs more, but is a nice "back up" option. Miss that, however, and I'm not going to be physically present in the other city--it's electronic or no presence at that point.That's what happened yesterday. I was a half-hour past my usual report time when i finally sent an email to my team that I wouldn't be in, but I would be available by phone or email if needed.

Then, I got stuff "done." I had some bills to pay, phone calls to make, and plenty of other "domestic" stuff to do at home. There's plenty left to do, but having some focus time to manage some of it was great (and necessary). Sometimes we have days that start out completely differently from our plan, yet end more successfully than we could have hoped at first glance. Here's hoping you find ways to maximize your situation and your end result.

Happy Hoop-Jumping

I hate playing games, but i can comply with a set of criteria like no other! If i need to make a portfolio of stuff I know and do and pay some money to the state and national associations to "qualify" myself, I guess it's time to do it. New goals, totally achievable b/c already in motion: State Certificate by my 9th anniversary (next summer) and National Certificate by my 10th (a little over a year and half from now). Guess that means i pursue the "professional" programs next year too? I'd better connect with open-house hosts and funding gurus.

Fragrance Abuse! Air Pollution!

While I admit that both a) I'm hypersensitive and b) i like LIGHT  fragrance too occasionally, I have to comment on this afternoon's near-medical emergency which caused me to miss my planned ride home but ultimately ended with creative collaboration time.

I was walking down the hill from where I work to where i catch a commuter bus. Things were going well, and I was enjoying the view but moving right along, as I didn't have a lot of time to spare. Coming around a bend, a woman clearly older than me (though not "old" per se) scooted across the street ahead of me. I allowed her some space and caught a whiff of her fragrance. I don't know what it was, but for an allergic, it was almost instant asthma attack. I caught myself reeling backward, I couldn't breathe comfortably. I immediately slowed my pace and allowed her more distance. I could still smell her perfume a full three trees away (20-30 feet?). I sent word of this fact to a friend over the texting phone. I know it must have seemed like a complaint; indeed at first it was, but it was also a self-preservation mechanism, in case something happened and no one could figure out why. People...perfume was designed to be subtle and seductive...it's something that's supposed to just hint to another to want to get closer to smell it--not to be worn as a shield that sends repulsive olfactory rays several meters out in all directions. Perhaps I am just a big baby at times, but I find this more offensive that body odor or dung, and rank it with smoking in terms of "bad." I'll defend your right to express yourself, but please oh pretty please don't forget that breathing is not really an optional activity to remain alive in human form.

This incident did indeed cause me to miss my bus, though i wonder if he was early because I was still at the stop by the scheduled time (for which we rarely see that bus) yet no one from the route was there. boo. so sad. I again sent word to friend after another 15minute wait, as I was a bit bummed, (having waited for same bus for 45 minutes this morning and then shivered all the way to work) but decided to go write instead of complain, since i had some extra time "to myself" after I walked to the other bus stop and paid extra money for the backup plan. I'd love to send that lady a bill for my ticket and my allergy pills. I'll settle my grievance with the universe so long as we don't cross paths again in the immediate future. Thanks to that friend who smiled gently through the text messages, then offered me some more creative genius  to consider.

Who Needs Sleep?

We all do, contrary to some popular arguments. Ironically, I attended a Wellness Wednesday session on said topic and proceeded to temporarily toss aside that critical information in favor of other important activities.

Maybe it was that extra cup of coffee at the meeting. Or the excitement of learning something new. Or the logistical reconfigurations. Or the all-encompassing, on-going adrenaline rush resulting from all the recent stimuli?

Had a day full of positive interactions, fodder for gratitude list, opportunity to learn new skills in amateur radio and get licensed in six weeks or so; even invited to try some new challenges in, with, and for Toastmasters. I seriously need to share a draft of an article proposal!

Looking at the clock now, knowing how soon i'll be looking at it again, I'm pressed to make the best decision possible with the resources available. Hurry up and "relax" or keep pushing and realize not only is it already "tomorrow" but "time to leave again?"

Back to that familiar foe, opportunity cost. sleep or everything else i need or want to do? I shall choose brief sleep. I've seen myself without it, and trust me, you don't want to! I trust that I shall awaken to another opportunity to complete a chore or more. Remember to rest and renew, you.