Living Without Balance

I have a fun boss who wrote a book called Living With No Balance... and Loving It.

The idea is, we have to give up the idea that when I'm at work I don't think about home, and when I'm at home I don't think about work.  After all, full time employees spend 70% of their waking lives at work, so why would you try to make a 50/50 split - you'd fail every time.

I'll admit at first I hated the idea of blending the two.  I was protective of my free time.  Now I've learned to embrace it and living without balance has become my favorite part of my job.

I've allowed myself to enjoy the places I visit for work a bit more.  I've given myself permission to hang out with the people, to see the sights, enjoy the views and soak up some culture.

That is worth a call at night or a conference call on a Saturday every time.  In fact, as I'm writing this, I am at work but sitting on a porch overlooking this beautiful view (seen here) and enjoying the Caribbean... what could be better than that?!?

Bedbugs

When are bed bugs not bad... when they are ladybugs.

I was in a hotel on the 6th floor the other day and shared my room with 3 ladybugs.  (Fortunately I never saw them share my bed).  Every time I saw one I smiled and thought to myself, today will be a good day.

Here is to a little bundle of joy visiting you today.

Europeans vs Italians - video clip

If you have spent much time in Italy... well, then you know.

Barefoot Elegance

There are some places you go that are truly unique.  They have that blend of casual yet chic; of decked-out yet relaxed; and classic yet contemporary. Where you can be lazy at the beach all day and then dance all night.  Where everyone smiles (because really, check out the view) and where everyone moves at just a little slower pace.  Anguilla is that for me… it is the epitome of barefoot elegance.

Sage Advice

Bad decisions make good stories.

Things That Make You Go Hmmm...

These are things I wonder about as I travel around:

1) Why can't you use your cell phone before take off, but can use it upon landing?

2) Why can you use your cell phone upon landing, but not your computer?

3) Why can something that I buy at Radio Shack for $22 wreck an airplane?

4) Why does what I bought at Radio Shack for $22 cost $55 at the airport?

5) Why are some airplane seats flotation devices, but not all?

6) Why will the oxygen bag not fully inflate?  Won't you want all the oxygen you can get?!?

7) Why will 5 agents stand around talking to each other, but insist I use a kiosk?

8) Why can the kiosk at the ticket counter make more changes to my ticket than those 5 ticket agents can?

9) Why do you have to take your shoes off in the USA, but in no other country? 

10) Why can't I bring in a 12 oz bottle of water, but I can bring in four 3 oz bottles of water?

A Small Moment of Bliss

One of the things I love the most about my job is the amazing places I end up.  A few weeks ago I was working in New York, and went with some students to lunch... an elevator ride here, a left there, another escalator ride and all of a sudden we were in Grand Central Station, New York.  If you haven't been there before, Grand Central Station is BEAUTIFUL!  And when you walk in unexpected there is nothing you can do but pause and take in the scenery. 

This is a picture I took on my phone, in that small moment of bliss.

The Name Game

Does anyone know, why have flight attendants have stopped wearing name tags?

Is it because they don't want credit when they do well?

Or because they don't want to be criticized when the do something bad?

Or just that they want to be incognito? 

Makes me wonder...

Vehicular Narcolepsy

(Of the root words: Vehicle: (vē'ĭ-kəl) any means in or by which someone travels. And Narcolepsy: (när'kə-lěp'sē) A disorder characterized by sudden and uncontrollable, though often brief, attacks of deep sleep.) The term, "Vehicular Narcolepsy", was created by my sister and I, when we were in college and both argued the other should drive on our long road trips from California to Arizona.

It is a gift. A magical gift that she and I both posses.  I equate it to a super power. It might be the equivalent of time travel as far as I’m concerned.

The definition of Vehicular Narcolepsy as we use it is: whenever I am traveling in anything with an engine, I can immediately fall asleep. I have fallen asleep on airplanes, trains, cars, taxis, and even subways. In fact, I try to stay awake on some flights (with the intention of working) and find it extremely difficult. I have fallen asleep mid-conversation, while the plane is reversing from the gate only to wake up upon landing. What did I say? It is a gift.

I bring it up now, because some friends and colleagues of mine have this gift, but don’t have a name for it. So I wanted to share with them. Others want the super power, but lack it, and grimace about those that do have the gift.  I thought they should have a name for it as well, so as to better complain. Feel free to use the phrase, spread it around, but remember it is not a registered diagnosis. Yet. ;)

To Recline or Not To Recline... that is the question

My boyfriend is 6’ 6” and never reclines his seat on airplanes.* He says that it hurts his knees when other people recline their seats; so why would he do that to someone else? I, on the other hand, am only 5’ 6” and when people in front of me recline, I don’t even notice. When I recline my seat, I can stretch my legs out put my head back and have just the perfect amount of space to blissfully fall asleep to the rocking of turbulence.

Isn’t it the tragedy of the commons? I figure if the person in row 1 puts his seat back, and then row 2 does, then row 3… it should create a domino effect. Who gets punished? Oh, but what about the people in that awful row before the exit row that can’t recline their seats? And what about the people in the last row who are up against the wall?

One more thing to factor in, my boyfriend (who would probably prefer "manfriend") only needs to be thoughtful 4 – 6 trips a year. I have to be thoughtful 2 times per week. That may sound petty, but this year I have become “the east coast girl”, and have traveled across country every week on an airplane (round-trip) since June 2nd (that is over four months and at least 62,000 miles).

So I pose the question to you. Should one recline and get the much-needed rest that they deserve? Or should we take care of our brethren, be kind to their knees, and not recline? I will post a survey to the right for the next couple of weeks to see what you all think. Please chime-in.


*In fairness, he is a much better person than I am. He is a living example of altruism (I didn’t even know what altruism was before we met, let alone live it). He is one of those people who votes at every election, even the small ones that no one pays attention to, but where the real governing happens. He has picked me up at my apartment every time we have gone out for almost 2 years, because I am too cheap to pay for parking in the city (and says it reminds him of dating in the 50’s (mind you, we were not around in the 50’s) but seems to forget the dating rules of the 50’s when dropping me off the next morning post slumber party (sorry mom)). And all I have to do is mention "tea" for him to hop up and put the kettle on… see what I mean, nice guy.

Playing For Change ~ Peace Through Music

This video makes me want to donate my time, donate my money, and go visit these places and people. For a good feeling, check it out:



"The Inspiration"
Playing for Change is a movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. And with this truth firmly fixed in our minds, we set out to share it with the world.

Check out their website for more information at www.playingforchange.com

Makes Me Wonder

A friend of mine recently pointed out...  Help Desks are no longer called "Help Desks"?  They have changed to "Information Desks". 

Do you think the title "help desk" was false advertising?

"I love the smell of Jet Fuel in the morning."

There is something really peaceful about traveling by yourself. Don't get me wrong, I love traveling with my man, he adds a sense of humor that makes me laugh out loud all day.  I love traveling with my English friend, she always makes me feel instantly comfortable in my skin and is up for any adventure. I love traveling with colleagues, it makes work more fun from beginning to end. And I love traveling with a group of girlfriends, you never know what they will get into. But I find traveling alone as good as all of these.

There is something about the quiet time on the plane, when you can read the paper or a magazine cover to cover (or both). It is one of the only times when you can indulge yourself in a "unitask" without the guilt of not multitasking through your day. Think of that, when was the last time you did only one thing without any interruptions?

When you get to your hotel and know that dinner is completely your choice, you can order a glass of wine, open a good book and leisurely dine. You can go to bed early, make a mess with your clothes, and choose any TV show you like.

Sunday mornings when I get on the plane, I instantly relax into the moment... and the jet fuel doesn't hurt.