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February 22, 2009
Blah Blah Blah
I am so sick. I've been sick since last Monday.... and it just won't go away. I've heard this is going around but I can barely stay awake for 2 hours. I spent 3 days literally working from bed, laptop on, phone next to me... and Friday I actually took a shower because I had a Live Meeting presentation to give... I've been staying in bed as much as possible but the smallest exertion sends me back.
Please let it go away soon... I need some mat time to get my head screwed on straight...
Posted by ashtangagirl at 8:13 PM | Comments (4)
February 19, 2009
Excuses
Every day now I think, ok, tomorrow, practice?
Every day I think something like this: Mhmmm, I have a call starting at 6am tomorrow, another at 8:30, one at 9:30, something at noon... and pretty much like that until after 5.
I learned today that I must block time on my calendar for my personal business even if it is before 8am. And so I have done so.
Posted by ashtangagirl at 10:39 PM | Comments (1)
February 18, 2009
Vegas And More
For Valentine's Day I met two girlfriends from Seattle in Vegas. I drove out taking the twin turbo 3 series... and a fully packed iPod. I had dinner with a long ago ex-boyfriend on Thursday night. I was hoping to just have dinner and catch up on where we've been for 15 or so years but it didn't end up being like that and I'm convinced that he should always date women in their 20s.
On Friday I got to experience a nightclub in NYC. We went to Tao. We had talked earlier about going and then one of the Girl Finders gave us a coupon to get in and a VIP pass... well, come to find out, this is a whole experience in and of itself. Once you meet a Girl Finder, you are sent a few or 10 txt messages both with instructions "Text me once you are on your way." to "You WILL be approached by groups of men waiting outside. DO NOT go with any of them. You will not get in with a group of guys." (I thought that one was kinda funny). In fact, we were approached by groups of guys and we did meet at the set of red ropes on the OTHER side of the enclosed area at which point we were asked to remove our IDs, given a ticket, checked by not one by three apparent "Guest Ushers" before we were led, past the big long line to get in and directly to the cashier, where we presented the get in free card and finally into the club. Interesting place... but I'm definitely not the nightclub type. After being in 4" heels for hours, all of us decided it would be smart to get a table... screw trying to find a guy for a table... so we did. Now, those of you who frequent these places are probably laughing now... for when they told us it was a $300 charge and we agreed to split it, what we didn't know is that you also had to purchase a bottle of alcohol which was probably 190% marked up. In the end, however, it was really a blast. Our "Girl Finder" (nicknamed Gato) came and met us and beared with the strange girl who asked him "So, how does your job work?" Fascinating really... they find girls, if the girls show up, they get paid, the club attracts more men, the club sells more bottles of alcohol. A great night (after all, we had to drink the alcohol)...
After Friday night, we went to see Puscifer for Valentine's Day. It was fantastic... but I really liked the Double Down which we went to after.. .a good old my kinda bar... I admit the long drive back wasn't as exciting as the way out. And when I got home I got the sickness my roommates had.
Work is incredibly busy. For example, yesterday I had back to back calls from 7am to 5:30pm with only a half hour break. I found out today my first on the road trip will be to NYC at the end of March.
No yoga... but it's coming as soon as I'm healthy.
Posted by ashtangagirl at 10:08 PM | Comments (0)
February 12, 2009
It's Already February
I feel like time is flying by but that some sort of finish line is just around the corner. It's not the finish, of course... it's just a pit stop somewhere. I know it's coming. Happily I've been eating really well and focusing on what I'm eating. Maybe obsessing a bit about it actually. With few exceptions, I've been eating a mostly raw diet. I've discovered I really do have an easier time with a bit of cooked food here or there. Today I had a handful of really delicious grilled shrimp (grilled in lemon juice and garlic) with my big fat salad. I am completely off of all caffeine which feels so very good and, with one exception, dessert has consisted of blueberries, strawberrys and a banana covered with nut granola and coconut flakes.
I finished my long trip to Seattle for the conference. I'm starting to get the groove of my job now and feeling much more stable in ability to do it well. I'm crazy busy at work but unlike my most recent jobs, or, really any of my jobs that included project deliverables, when I'm done with work, I'm actually done with work. It's sorta cool and something I demanded of myself but something to work on as well for me.
I asked The Kids what they wanted to give TWBD for Valentine's Day. They wanted to get him a skateboard and they had apparently listened really well to his interaction with a guy at a shop the other day. We got him the whole shebang and it was the first time in the 15 or so years I've known TWBD *really* like a gift. It was nice to give.
Posted by ashtangagirl at 12:16 AM | Comments (2)
February 7, 2009
Just So Much Fun
I've been up in Seattle for a large internal conference. It was really my first "on stage" since I started at large software company. I was sorta nervous. But in the end, I never rehearsed. This stuff is either in me or it's not. I had so much fun. I really did. I actually felt a bit of my old confidence creeping in. Welcome back.
I'm listening to Nina Simone and it couldn't be just more perfect. The stability is starting to come back.
Today has been my day to cut back and let loose... so I did. In style. We started with Mimosas over traditional Mexican breakfast, followed by beers at the bowling alley.. and ending with wine and cheese. Tomorrow... back to work.
Posted by ashtangagirl at 10:57 PM | Comments (0)
February 2, 2009
Of Procrastination and Knowledge
I flew up to Seattle... presentation in front of customers Friday. I promised to "practice" the presentation on Thursday night but I didn't really. I mean, I thought about it an awful lot. I edited the deck... and I thought some more... but not once did I actually "practice" the presentation. And I was better for it. I wasn't nervous and I just wanted to talk about this subject that I love and, more importantly, that I really know.
It was fun. I loved it. I got my scores after, 9 out of 9 from all customer attendees and all account team attendees except for one guy... he gave me a 7. This experience made me realize that I have to find a way to digest the rest of the presentations I'm supposed to give. To make them as equally an "easy conversation" as this particular favorite topic is. It isn't that the other topics are less compelling, they just don't ignite my fire in the same way.
I have two presentations on Tuesday. I am hoping that the Presentation God Blessings continues.
The last few days in Seattle have been... interesting. Remarkably peaceful and energetic but with a definitive edge of resistance to them. The resistance is that gut feeling of discomfort... that something may not be quite right. It was a great weekend though... ready to push into this week and get on with it. I finally feel like life is moving forward, like the path is showing some tread... without really caring about the scenery.
Posted by ashtangagirl at 12:28 AM | Comments (3)