Day 359. Old Friends

When it comes to social media I think most of us are the same.  We seem to have a love/hate relationship with it, especially with Facebook.  But as frustrated as I may get, I still end up in the same place:  Loving how social media keeps us connected.

Those of you who have been reading my blog since the beginning know I spent some time working in the fashion industry, where I handled all the advertising and P.R. for Leo Chevalier, one of Canada’s leading fashion designers.  While it was the manufacturer of his collection of women’s dresses and sportswear I actually worked for, and while I did do some work for other lines they carried, he was the focus of most of my attention.

My office was in Leo’s design studio, on a different floor than the rest of the company.  We had great space.  Leo, his wife and his design assistant shared a HUGE office/studio.  In addition to my office, there was another one, as well.  Originally it was for the gal who ran his perfume company.  But when he closed that down, his fabric buyer moved in.  We also had an enormous stock room in the back, which was perfect for all our accessories, samples,

Day 358. On Track?

Gotta tell you, a little chill ran up my spine yesterday morning, as I read the WordPress Daily Prompt:  “Write up a mid-year State Of My Year post”.  I know, it doesn’t seem like such a big deal.  Certainly nothing to get into a sweat over.  I agree.

“So”, you’re probably asking, “What’s with the chills?”

It just brought me back to the days when I was a partner in an ad agency.  The half-way point in the year, was when we did our ‘reforecasting’.   Any idea what I’m talking about?

Well, it is sort of like a state-of-the-year.  Financially-speaking.  It’s the time when management adjust their projected revenues, expenses and anticipated bottom line, based on actual numbers.  To see if you’re still on track with the plan you committed to, at the beginning of the year.  To see if you’re doing better than plan; or, worse.  To figure out how you’re going to end the year; and how you’ll get there.

This is not an exercise to be taken lightly.  It’s serious stuff.  And the last thing you want is to have to tell your boss, or your Board of Directors or your shareholders, you’re going to have to re-adjust down.  So unless you’ve had a better-than-good year to the midway point, with equally good prospects for the balance of the year, most executives dread

Day 357. Hell No

I’m fine with admitting I wasn’t an early adopter.  My first computer sat, collecting dust, on a typing table in my office for months and months before I finally gave it a try.  Relax, it was 1985.   I’m also the first to admit there are days when I’d like to throw my laptop off the balcony.

But all that aside, make no mistake about it.  I’m addicted.  I could no more live without my computer than fly to the moon.  Well, maybe that’s not such a good example any more.  Richard Branson’s selling seats already.

Doesn’t matter.  I won’t be on that flight.  So the example stands.  And I won’t be giving up my computer any time soon.  Not willingly, anyway.

Which does beg the question, “Why, then, am I bothering to respond to yesterday’s WordPress Daily

Day 356. Twenty-Six …

Well, did I ever just have a blast!  Wasn’t sure I could do it, but you know me, I have to try.  And once I’ve decided to try, I can’t quit.  That’s how I’ve made it this far, with this blog.  Once I was committed there was just no way I wouldn’t see it through.  I have way too much pride.

So once I became intrigued with yesterday’s WordPress Daily Prompt, I was hooked.  “Create a short story, piece of memoir, or epic poem that is 26 sentences long, in which the first sentence begins with “A” and each sentence thereafter begins with the next letter of the alphabet.”  

In the end, after banging my head against the wall for a few hours, I decided to go with something simple.  I wouldn’t call it great literature, by any means, but I did get the job done.  And I had a great time with it.  I

Day 355. Who’s Yours?

Lucy and Ethel.  Thelma and Louise.  Mary and Rhoda.  Carrie and Charlotte and Miranda and Samantha.  There’s a theme going on here.  Have you figured it out yet?

They’re best friends.

Fictional best friends, to be sure.  But best friends, none the less.  You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?  The kind of friends who are there for you, no matter what.  Through thick and thin.  In good times and in bad.  Friends you can always count on.  Friend’s you’d go to hell and back for.  Friends who know all your secrets.  And you, theirs.

Which was the subject of this past Thursday’s WordPress Daily Prompt:

Finish this sentence:  “My closest friend is …”

Day 354. Full Flavoured?

More recipes today.  But this one isn’t what you’re expecting.  At least I don’t think it is.  Because it has nothing to do with the kitchen.  Now you’re really confused, aren’t you?  Fear not.  All’s about to be made clear.

To be honest, when I first saw Monday’s WordPress Weekly Writing Challenge, I passed it by.  But after yesterday’s post, where you found out how I make bouillabaisse, I decided to give it another look:

“How does the old saying go — girls are sugar and spice and everything nice, and boys are snips and snails and puppy dog tails?

Aside from not knowing what a snip is, I don’t buy it; we’re much more complex than lollipops and unicorns and toy trucks and frogs.  This week, we want a window into the complexity that is you.  We want your best recipes.

We don’t mean we want your best recipe for fried chicken (although we’ll take that, too — a good fried chicken recipe is always handy).  We want the recipe for all the bits and pieces and quirks and foibles and loves that make you, you.”

It’s a pretty tall order, but I’ve decided to give it a try.  Here goes:

Day 353. Bragging Rights

Ask anyone who knows me. They’ll tell you I’m not someone who often blows her own horn. But guess what? I am today. Unashamedly so, too. It all started with Tuesday’s WordPress Daily Prompt: “If a restaurant were to name something after you, what would it be? Describe it. (Bonus points if you give us a recipe!)”

Hands down it would be my bouillabaisse.

In case you’re not familiar with what it is, bouillabaisse is a traditional Provencal fish stew originating from the port city of Marseille. It’s made with fish and seafood and it’s ‘cooked’ in a broth. The Italians have a version called cioppino. And I’ll bet there are those who would say that a creole seafood gumbo is another variation.

What I make is is the French version. It’s my own recipe. I concocted it. But the ingredients are pretty

Day 352. Beyond Obnoxious!

Okay, enough already. Never has a vagina been under so much scrutiny. World-wide, I might add. I’m speaking, of course, of Monday’s Royal birth. I know anything to do with the Royals sells newspapers and raises ratings. But come on, give me a break.

Press have been camped outside of the hospital for weeks now. In this economy how can anyone justify the cost of sending, and housing, journalists in the UK for weeks. For what? To be the first to shoot a photo of an infant bundled in a blanket? A photo op that really could be covered by a wire-service photographer.

How sick are we to to be this obsessed?

We’ve lost our minds. And our civility. But the worst of the worst, the network that has brought “invasion of

Day 351. Moveable Feasts

Where do you prefer to eat?  Are you a confirmed at-the-dining-room-table kind of diner?  Or are you an al fresco kind of diner?

A lot of folks dislike eating outside because of the bugs.  And others just find it too much work to move dishes and cutlery and glasses and drinks and food from the kitchen to the outdoors.  They don’t like the schlepping.

Alexandra Hanson-Harding, 135journals, had an interesting post the other day, about picnics.  In it she posted thirty-one questions she wrote for Toastmasters.  I’m not going to attempt to answer all of them, but she did inspire me to share some memories of a couple of picnics I’ve enjoyed.

They’re not very traditional, in that there was no red and white checked tablecloth involved.  No wicker basket,

Day 350. Welcome Sight

Are you away from home a lot? Do you do a lot of traveling? There have been times, on and off during my life, when I did travel very often. Mostly on business, although I have taken my fair share of holidays.

I’ve taken short trips, gone and back the same day. I’ve taken trips lasting from a few days up to a couple of weeks. And I’ve taken longer trips of a month, or more. And it’s always the same. I’m excited to go. Filled with anticipation. Looking forward to being away. Meeting new people, exploring new places. Even if it’s just a business trip, I’m taking.

Then, when I’m there, at first I want it to never end. I fall in love with wherever I am. I dread each passing day. Because each one brings me closer to having to leave. And then suddenly, within the last day or two, something changes. I find myself looking forward to getting back. To my friends, to my cats, to my routine, to my regular haunts, to my home.

Does the same thing happen to you?

It always surprises me. Because just days before I was wishing I could stay away forever.