One Day Left

One day left of 2009. Won't miss you baby. But I did have some highlights, both good and bad.

January- Got to see my grandma in Yuma. Saw my friend's band Black Heart Procession at the Casbah (first time at the Casbah).

February-Start of the decline of my former company.

March- Started posting on twitter, just playing around experimenting.

April- A lot of depressing stuff going on at work. I did find use for youtube though.

May- Finally got laid-off (blessing in disguise- maybe). Lots of thoughts on Paris and changing my life.

June-Airborne Toxic Event (Event), that was a fun night, met the band for the first time. Anthology is a very cool venue. Got a new dog Lola, she was a rescue from the Camp Pendleton Animal Shelter.

July-Went to my first-ever Tweetup, VIP treatment. As glamourous as it sounds, it wasn't. No talking with Shawn Merriman, but I did meet some friends IRL. Entering the Social Media Whirlwind started re-learning at UCSD for a class taught by Becky Carroll. Great times. My sis visited an i went to the San Diego Zoo. Went to see Horsies and Airborne Toxic Event again.

August- Saw Airborne Toxic Event yet again on the roof of the Hard Rock Hotel. I guess I had a summer fetish with Airborne Toxic Event. Two of the Three events were radio-sponsored. I am not sure how I got to attend these, but I did. 4-day Road Trip: San Diego-Palm Desert-Camarillo-San Jose-Camarillo-San Diego. Lost my cat (she was 9)...She wandered somewhere and didn't return :(

September- Yee Haw, I went to Dallas for a wedding. Saw Kathy Griffin Live.

October- Ahh, Regina Spektor Piano Goddess- saw her at HOB. BlogWorld in Las Vegas, what a fun group of people- can't wait till next one, Halloween is always fun, Saw some oldies with Elise at Jack's Fourth Show

November- David Sedaris (got to see him), Gary Vaynerchuk (got to meet him too), Thanksgiving with my folks up north. Nice road trip.

December- Nice quiet month for celebrating the holidays. Ready for 2009 to be over and focus on all the good things to come in 2010. I am fortunate to have despite the few setbacks. They say good things come to those who wait.

Picking and Choosing

Another job interview today, interesting to have been on my umpteenth interview in a lifetime. Everytime I enter the room, the first things I always wonder are: Is this person going to like me? Am I gonna wanna work here? Is this my existence worth being here 8 hrs. a day? Sometimes I think "I love you already but you don't even know me" or "Jesus, am I really going to try to get a job here." In a way interviewing is like dating. Do you like me? Do you want to be my friend? Want me to introduce you to my family? "If I like you, I will call you," they always say. Better yet, I will e-mail you if I like you and want another date but either way, I will let you know that either "I am into you" or "I just am not into you." Today, it was really hard to read my date (interviewer). I am not sure if I am going to go out on that "second" date or not. "It would be nice to see you again", I say, "call me if you want to introduce me to your family." Dating* Sucks. 

*Dating Aside- Obviously, I need a job. I have a real "family" to support after all. But if all else fails, I can write about my job interviews as I were going on dates. Maybe someday I will get married to a job. 

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Christmas Time Memories 2009

Just a few moments this holiday season. It was a memorable Christmas in San Diego.

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My Facebook Statuses for 2009

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January.pdf (124 KB)

Kind of fun reading these all in a row. Great recap of my thoughts for 2009. Will be fun to see my thoughts in 2010. Happy Holidays! Jennifer

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Going Minimalist

It is all about content they say, I sure hope so, I have been playing with my blog template and cannot find one I like. I know I have my ideal design, but right now it is all in my head. They say, don't procrastinate...just do it. So I am doing it with content. Spending more time writing less time designing IRL. I still design in my head. Baby steps.

Year in Review in 9 days

I have 9 days to write this post. It will be 2010 soon, every year I think that the next year will be better. I sure hope so. This year kinda sucked but I tried to make lots of lemonade. Yes, I am hoping 2010 will be better. Here are the pros and cons of 2010: Well start with cons first then pros (End off with a good note).

Cons:
- Lost my job
- Haven't replaced my job yet
- My mouth is like a sick puppy, needs caring for all the time (Gum issues)
- Less money for vacations, crap that ends up in my garage

Pros:
- Still have my health
- Spend more time with family
- Got Lola a new dog (probably wouldn't adopted her if I still had my job)
- Joined Toastmasters to conquer my public speaking fear
- Started conversing/engaging on Twitter, met some IRL friends out of this
- Learning loads in Social Media- Got to meets some good role models IRL
- Not as stressed from work
- The gym became my friend and not my enemy
- Did a tiny bit of travel- San Francisco, 3-day cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Las Vegas, and took a mini-road trip going to San Jose on the 101.

Late Night Snuggie Post

I will admit, I love my Snuggie, I was skeptical at first (this was over a year ago) but as soon as I got mine, I was hooked. I got it as a gift from my mother-in-law. We received four burgundy Snuggies, one for each family member, but I am the only one in my family that uses their Snuggie (so I guess I technically own 4). I wear my Snuggie around the house, haven't ventured out in public (yet) like some have (guy on dance floor in Vegas). My husband doesn't appreciate it when I wear my Snuggie when snuggling with him, he finds it a bit disturbing when I come to bed draped in cheap, fleece material. I am not picky when it comes to warmth, I am ok wearing a oversized fleece mess.

I don't find the Snuggie to be the next peacoat, but it does work as a nice oversized robe. My dogs even chewed holes in one of my Snuggies and that seems to be my favorite one (the holy one). The material isn't the best, but it keeps me warm. I highly recommend this product even though there are better quality ones out there- Nuddle, Slanket, Brookstone NAP. I endorse Snuggies for people. I don't endorse Snuggies for Dogs, Blythe Dolls nor I endorse Snuggies for Trolls. 

Photos by absolutelysmall (Blythe doll Snuggie seller) and beckynot (Troll Snuggie seller)

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The Sing-off

I tuned in to "The Sing Off" a reality/talent singing/A cappella style show on NBC. First off, I had no idea what to expect, I only saw the commercial a couple of times (thanks to the magic of DVR). The first thing they did was bring all the groups out to sing a song together. I was a bit confused but then I got it. They were all competing to be the best A cappella group on TV. A few thoughts on the show:

 

-       Ben Folds- Umm, he is genius. Didn’t know he was a judge on the show before watching (shocked to see). I love his music (Bitches ain’t shit, Cologne, Jesusland, Smoke, Battle for who could care less) I didn’t know he was so in-tune to music theory. He understood the voice intonations, he explained why things worked and didn’t work. Good choice NBC. His tour t-shirt needs to now read. I heart Ben Folds before he sucked, but now he redeemed himself and is a singing judge. (I own his tour shirt)

 

-       Boys II Men Shawn Stockman- Nice sweater. I wanna see a B II M reunion on this show. His judging was on the nice side, but respectable.

 

-       Nicole from the Pussycat Dolls- Huh? Are you taking what Paula is taking?

 

-       Humanizing these singers, I liked the stories before the group sang. People have challenges but they aspire doing what they love despite hardships. Excellent message.

 

-       I don’t like the comparison to Glee/American Idol. Glee is a different type of show, the singers rehearse, record then lipsync. Glee is a comedy not reality. Glee isn’t all A cappella. The only thing they have in common is group singing. Because of Glee,  the Sing-off contestants need to be careful on song choice. My brain loves the Glee Soundtrack and when you sing Somebody to Love, that is what I am going to want to hear (Glee Cast) The Sing-off isn’t American Idol either, yes the singers are off key but there are no silly antics leading up to the competition.

-       My favorites/thoughts of the night…Beezulbub group. Love they made a human van and sung at the same time (something Glee show should do- A whole show on Beatles music). Also, if you sing a song that was on Glee, it better be a better rendition, which it wasn’t (Socal Group). Not loving the faux hawk on the Mormon girl lead singer but she can screech out a tune. The Barbershop ladies in red-they were cute and there were only four of them, they remind me of the Red Hat society. The guys from Puerto Rico- I liked that they put a spin on the Jason Mraz song, made it their own (they could of butchered it, but they didn’t). It is all about performance at the end.

 

-       I know I couldn’t do any better. I am not one to watch shows with Nick Lachey (ex- Mr.Jessica Simpson), but I will make this one exception. Good Clean Fun/Good Luck to all. 

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Baby Mantras to live by and The Adult Version of Pin-the-Tail on the Donkey

I went to Thread San Diego Today. Three words to describe:  Inspiring. Uplifting. Defining.

Artists doing what they love. Here are two of my finds today:

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The Real Job Hunt is about to begin

I have to admit, I have enjoyed my run as being a SAHM. It has been therapeutic and rewarding to watch my children grow up before my eyes and have no distractions of the 9 to 5 grind. But being a SAHM unfortunately doesn't pay the bills. My challenge is monetizing my thoughts and insights. I have a gazillion ideas but they all go in every which way. I want to work in art, i want to work in marketing, I want to work in social media, I want to work in France or at least travel to France (don't know French too well), I like going to see live music so maybe I want to promote music, I want to help homeless people get back on their feet. I obviously need a plan, some patience and maybe a crystal ball.

People Sure are Dedicated

Yes, I like Adam Lambert's voice, I like his theatrical presence and that he is authentic. I am not a diehard fan, but I did get to hang out with a bunch of them this afternoon. I had the opportunity to take my daughter to see Adam dedicate his American Idol Finale outfit to the Hard Rock Hotel. I spoke with a few of them and some were camped out since 8am just to get a glimpse at the action. 

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I Suck at Gift Giving

Confession, when it comes to gift giving I suck at it. I just bought myself a Paul Frank Hoodie with built-in earbuds and a coffee cup from Starbucks today. I did buy a friend a doodle book yesterday but I was tempted to start coloring in it. Yes, the holidays are for being charitable, being with family and counting your blessings. But all the ads, deals, excessive word-of-mouth on gadgets/books/knick-knacks gets me every time. Tis the season for overbuying. I need to stop this 2 for me - 1 for you ratio formula for gift-giving. It really should be 0 for me - 30 for you (I don't really NEED anything).  As for the hoodie I ordered, I will find it handy to have built-in earbuds for my old-school ipod (till I accidently wash it). Then may be I can buy that new ipod Nano (so colorful). Enjoy the pics.

photo credit and where to buy:
ipod nanos-apple.com
paul frank hoodie - Karmaloop.com
Doodle a year - Mcasd.org

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Flash Mobs are Cool

I especially like train stations, open spaces, museums. A Universal Love...as you can see by the various cities that love to do a random dance.

For your viewing pleasure, here are my favorite Flash Mob dances:

 

Sound of Music incorporated in a Flash Mob. Yodalay-Yodalay-Yodalay hee hoo...

 

Even corporations turn Flash Mobs into commercials

 

Can't leave out MJ's Thriller

 

Museums in Paris have flash mobs too

 

 Even Oprah doesn't know that she was flash mob punk'd

 

Oldies but Goodies

 

 

 

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