The Drive of Capitalism

Laurie, one of my clients, and I were chatting about how we became uber-career chicks. She was a drama major in college and still loves to sing; now she's a senior VP at a high-end, investment management firm. I was an English major with no direction or any aspirations for that matter.

For me, I had a life-altering capitalist moment. I had been traveling and waitressing in New Zealand and Australia for a number of months when I saw a cute, brown linen suit in a store window. It stopped me in my tracks. Short skirt. Little jacket with (I swear) a tiny brown linen bow on the back. I suddenly wanted to be the ultra-professional woman who had somewhere to wear that suit.

Aren't I lucky? Got what I wanted.

Laurie had what she calls a similar experience when she went out to meet a date. This person took one look at her car and said with distain, "Is that your car?" She said she suddenly put someone else's eyes on her own life and no longer liked what she saw. The life of poverty could no longer be romanticized. She wanted a brand new car.

Thankfully she's extremely good at what she does, her clients and her team love her and she is really happy. And she's in a relationship with someone who doesn't care what kind of car she drives even if it's a 2009 BMW.

Got what she wanted.

Ahhh Shopping Mall City

Son #1: I really like that one song about the woman who gets her purse stolen.

Me: I don't think I know that one.

Son #1: Yes you do, mama. The one that goes, "Ahhhhh wham bam thank you ma'am."

Me: Is THAT what that's about?

Son #1: Yeah, the guy runs up, swipes her once and misses, tries again, hits her with a thud, steals her purse and screams "thank you" as he's running away.

All these years I've been listening and never understood the real storyline. Who knew?

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

You Are a Comma

You are open minded and extremely optimistic. You enjoy almost all facets of life. You can find the good in almost anything. You keep yourself busy with tons of friends, activities, and interests. You find it hard to turn down an opportunity, even if you are pressed for time. Your friends find you fascinating, charming, and easy to talk to. (But with so many competing interests, you friends do feel like you hardly have time for them.) You excel in: Inspiring people You get along best with: The Question Mark

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Ticking Away the Moments that Make Up a Dull Day

Check this out:



Sure it's just a screen shot of one of the folders on my laptop but look closer. I've been at the same company going on nine years. NINE YEARS. For a chronic malcontent and known runner from all things tedious, this is a milestone. And it somehow snuck up on me. (Is snuck a word?)

Then one day you find ten years have got behind you.
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.

Wishing You Every Happiness Come

That's the sentiment on a gorgeous 2009 calendar that Margaroo bought for my mother in Japan. I love it! In fact, I've stolen it from her.

Speaking of happiness come, my boss and I just agreed on a four-day work week trial. Sure, I'll still work 50 hours (i.e., 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.); but, come one! I'll have a day off every week! I'm thinking of taking Wednesdays so I can have 104 two-day work weeks this year . . .

Hello laundry! Goodbye tapping keyboard!

Forbidden and Hidden

Yesterday's New York Times Magazine featured an article entitled "Forbidden Nonfruit," in which Joshua Yaffa describes his childhood filled with health food and abstinence from burgers leading to sugar overdoses at friends' homes followed by pizza with ranch dressing, beer and late-night cheese steaks in college. I couldn't help but see more than a bit of myself in his story -- especially as I also described last August the 1X/year sugar cereal treat that we were allowed on our birthdays as well as how our dad hid junk food from our mom. Uncanny? Or do thousands of us have similar stories of well intentioned parents?

Where the similarities end is that this author is now filling bags with spinach at the local supermarket yet I'm still a hardcore cheeseburger, chocolate cake, Smarties girl.

Which explains why I'm back on Weight Watchers for the 100th time this decade. Welcome to 2009 -- the year of cutting back. Again.

Bedtime

Moments ago, I asked Son #2, who was looking very groggy on the couch, "Monkey, are you sleepy?"

He responded, "You haven't heard the last of me."

Nothing is standard issue in this house.