Sunday, November 22, 2009

A Picture Worth 1000 Words

Would you buy a home from this woman?

I hope the answer is yes, because I just picked this photo for my business cards and announcements? Yikes, kind of scary to think my mug will be all over this City in just a week or two. (Photo taken by Tracy Cianflone)


Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The Best Christmas Read Ever!

My favorite femme comedy author is Laurie Notaro - if you haven't read, I Love Everybody (and Other Atrocious Lies): True Tales of a Loudmouth Girl it might just be the funniest book I have ever read. (Forget the loudmouth reference) So I picked up her Christmas version, An Idiot Girl's Christmas, and it has not disappointed me yet! This girl kills me... for real, get yourself a copy and get going... you will thank me later.




Thursday, November 12, 2009

New Leash on Life

I had to share about this amazing non-profit that I am now involved with. I can't tell you how many organizations have great intentions with none of the follow through, well, not this one. I am so impressed with every meeting, every program and every opportunity I have to work with these amazing people. New Leash on Life is an amazing group of people who set out to education people and save animals all across Los Angeles. As a new member of the Lend A Paw, animal therapy program, we visit schools, hospitals, retirement communities, etc with trained animals that bring inspiration and healing with them wherever they go. I believe in this organization so much that I have made the commitment to donate 5% of my first commission to them so they may keep doing what they are doing. Those of you who may be looking for dogs to adopt or just a good cause, check out their website here and get involved! Below is a photo of Gabi, the dog I use for my therapy visits, I believe she is high-fiving the camera!





Friday, November 6, 2009

28 Reasons

As I approach my birthday in just a few short days, I am reflecting and daydreaming. While 28 doesn't seem that harmful, it does put me one year closer to the dreaded 3-0. I remember thinking to myself that by age 30, I will have accomplished so many of my life goals. And while I believe I have accomplished many of my goals, I never really imagined myself here.

That may sound pessimistic, but its not, I love my life, even if its not exactly how I imagined. The fact that we are pushed and pulled from our course with life's surprises should be a constant reminder that we cannot choose our exact path, we can only aim, work towards it and hope for the best. So these are my targets:

1. Travel, travel, and more travel. I forget sometimes how much I love the adventure of something totally new. I believe in using your passport at least once a year! I can't wait for our Caribbean getaway!


2. Create my own business (of some kind) - whether full time, whether on the side, I just want to be my own boss for at least some fraction of my life. Below is a hint into my new career, I guess that's a pretty big hint.


3. Ride Horses....in any capactiy, just ride. Being with such large and graceful animals has an incredible impact on my mental health.



4. Keep checking off and continue to add to my "While in California, I must...." list. There are still many items on this list. Up next: attend a taping of the Late Show with Conan O'Brian, hit up the Reagan Library and have dinner at the Getty.



4. Stress less. Live more in the moment.







As a goal oriented person, it is easier for me to get where I am going if I have created some stepping stones. Some are vague, some are specific - but I better get to it, not a moment to waste :)


Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Tale of a Fisherman

I am reading my version of a motivational book in Timothy Ferriss's 4 Hour Work Week. Not only is he funny, but he's got this totally realistic view on the shift in priorities for our generation. He discusses time versus money and how we should live our life with an emphasis on learning. It brought to the forefront many of my issues with my current status and helped me fling myself into my future. Check out this excerpt of the story of the fisherman:


An American businessman was standing at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish.

“How long it took you to catch them?” The American asked.

“Only a little while.” The Mexican replied.

“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” The American then asked.

“I have enough to support my family’s immediate needs.” The Mexican said.

“But,” The American then asked, “What do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life, senor.”

The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds you buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats.”
“Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the consumers, eventually opening your own can factory. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But senor, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”

“But what then, senor?”

The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO (Initial Public Offering) and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.”

“Millions, senor? Then what?”

The American said slowly, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos…”

Love it.