Continue Reading 12 comments September 11th, 2007
Thank you so much to all of you who blew up my phone and e-mail with birthday love. It means more to me this year than ever to know so many people who really care. Some of you haven’t even met me in person (though thanks to Blogasm that’ll be changing early next year) and yet you still provide so much love and support. I love you, too!
Mad props to the most awesomest guy alive, the one and only Jordan, who got everyone to pitch in and surprise me with possibly the most unbelievably sexy cycling wheels ever, the Fulcrum Racing Zero. No lie, I’ve had a picture of them on the wall in my room for over a year, attached to the sexiest bike on earth, the DeRosa Idol… Next time?
Hugs to my precious auntie for (saving my life and) decorating the house. I was pretty bummed out after being fried by lasers and shot a couple dozen times with potions at the dermatologist. But the sadness vanished when I walked in and saw the Happy Birthday sign and giant pink balloons everywhere. As always, you rock!
It’s already been one of the best birthdays ever - XOXOX!
12 comments August 29th, 2007
Help me pick out a new pair of sneakers! Slip inside my lasso of truth and tell me which of the options below you fancy most. After heading over to the online Nike store to design a custom pair I became inspired by the fabulous Wonder Woman. Rather than sulk as I notice the days growing shorter while I’m out there trying to squeeze out every last drop of cycling fun following each work day, I figured this year I might try easing the transition into the off-season by getting excited about cross training. Running being a slightly less deadly cardio exercise option in twilight, I need an outrageous pair of kicks to spur my motivation.
14 comments August 23rd, 2007
At first glance I figured maybe they sold calculators, but when I walked up to get a little closer I realized it was the sort of thing one could only find in Fontucky… God bless San Bernardino County and their interesting retail concepts.
Perhaps if I could stop laughing so hard every time I see that sign, I might be able to mozy in and place an order for some chicken-fried sushi with a side order of eda-yo-mame.
7 comments August 21st, 2007
I’ve been a Pasadena, California resident since birth, and for the most part I have enjoyed life in the city of roses. We don’t have to look far to find places to play, great shops, tons of diversity, and tasty food.
As a cyclist, I especially enjoy the many bike routes and legendary group rides such as Montrose and the Rose Bowl. Adding to the excitement, it was recently announced that the Amgen Tour of California (one of the premier pro cycling events in the US) will finish with a criterium in our town.
Which is why it was so strange that a week later a new ordinance was passed by the city council to outlaw the peloton. That term refers to a group of cyclists riding together in a free formation, such as you’ll see during any of the grand tours, like the Tour de France. So, let me get this straight: The pro peloton is coming to town, and you want to OUTLAW that style of riding for all the local cycling fans? Brilliant!
Continue Reading 15 comments August 10th, 2007
Took a vacation day last week to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity building homes for low-income families in the city of Fullerton, California. Somehow I had imagined we’d be painting, sanding, planting, or doing something else that required little or no actual skill, but I was way off.
We were asked to do things like move tons of lumber and boards over pipe ditches, build window and door frames from scratch, and install floor boards atop an exposed second story while balancing precariously on floor joists. It was hard work, but I must admit it was fun.
Looking for a way to make a difference in your community? Visit the Habitat for Humanity website and find out if there’s a chapter near you. They’re always looking for volunteers. Nail guns for everyone!
7 comments August 5th, 2007
You guys… I’m going to be a mom! I’m not pregnant, just exaggerating. The real news is that I’m going to be a godmother, which is almost as awesome. Beth and Jason asked me to accept this great honor as we were cruising around Downtown Disney last weekend, and I was so happy that I nearly burst into tears right in front of Haagen Dazs.
This couple is in the process of adopting from the California Department of Social Services. I’m so impressed that they’ve chosen to adopt older kids who could otherwise face a difficult time finding a good home. They’re deciding between a ten-year-old and a pair of siblings ages two and six, but it’s ultimately up to their social worker to make the call.
As with any undertaking involving the bureaucratic nightmare factory (aka the government) there are a number of hoops they must jump through, but they’re wading through the piles of paperwork and hours of classes with speed and fervor. It’s even going faster than expected. The prospect of having a new generation around is thrilling for all of us, so we’re keeping them bolstered with tons of support.
I’m so excited for them, and about becoming a first-time godmomma!
7 comments August 1st, 2007
For a decade I was loyal to Samsung mobile phones. Never had a problem. Switched carriers and picked up a Motorola. Big mistake. You’d think with the one-year warranty I’d be fairly well covered, but no. Replacements are refurbs. It would appear that refurbished means still not working, because three phones later I’m still having trouble.
Much to my amazement, when I recently called about this series of events and to report that my latest phone began to malfunction (note: warranty expired) they weren’t totally heartless. After informing me that the SLVR is no longer available, they decided to sell me the new phone of my choice at the price a brand new subscriber would pay.
Not only does that suck for the obvious reason, but also because there are no phones I’m excited about right now. I’m with AT&T so you’d think the iPhone would be a slam-dunk, but I’ve heard mixed reviews. Especially regarding the on-screen keyboard. So please, oh wise ones, fire away with your recommendations, and thank you in advance.
19 comments July 26th, 2007
Crashed the Star Wars 30th anniversary Celebration IV at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Memorial Day. Second only to the spectacle of seeing fans of all ages decked out in costume, I was most curious to see the Vader Project: a bunch of my favorite pop artists were invited to use a Darth helmet as a canvas. It was everything I’d hoped. Took some pictures with the crappy camera on my mobile phone, but you’re better off viewing everyone else’s pics on Flickr.
May the force be with you!
8 comments May 30th, 2007
Over three years ago I proposed that we change our corporate name. After presenting my rationale, the board agreed. What came after was a needlessly long and painful process, because our management team severely lacks trigger-pullers. Over the course of that excruciating wait, all of our print collateral ran out or became outdated.
Though I tried hard to keep things moving where fiscal sense allowed, churning out promotions and miscellaneous stuff, it was an uphill battle to grow the business without the essentials in place. The “hurry up and wait” of the name change project wore not only on my nerves, but on my ability to take pride in my work.
After two and a half years poised on the starting block waiting for the gun to fire, they finally selected a name last August, and since then I’ve been off and running. To say I was busy over the last eight months would be an understatement. Logo, tagline, branding, website, mailers, booklets, brochures, signs, merchandise, posters, badges… Oh my!
I’m a one-person marketing department, so it was up to me to get everything ready for the April launch. Now that’s behind me, but my work life still doesn’t show any signs of slowing. In fact, with a more solid foundation in place, the frontier now seems wide open. After a long period of waiting, it feels good to make a positive impact again.
The labor of marketing is strikingly similar to bearing a child: conception, gestation, delivery. Each phase has a proper duration and things must happen in a certain order. The final output depends upon the quality of what was accomplished in those formative stages, however, if you drag any of it out too long you’ll endanger the mother.
If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy, and this little momma is only happy when she’s being effective. Knowing it wasn’t right to print short collateral runs with the name change looming didn’t help me feel any better about being less productive. Certainly it wasn’t my fault, but I couldn’t work at one-third capacity and call it a job well done.
Once I read that procrastination was a major cause of depression, but since I’ve learned that being forced to put things off is even worse. Creative people need to run with ideas instead of waiting to be cleared for launch. Though I now have tons to add to my resume, I’m slightly more impressed by the personal trial I endured to get there.
Wheew… Time to get back to work!
16 comments April 17th, 2007
