Uncategorized

April 15, 2009 In Uncategorized

Crying In Starbucks

I am 30 and a waitress at a place called Two Guys Grill.

Does that sound like a comedy title? If so, maybe someone will come along at some point and offer me a movie deal. That’d be great.

The reality is, this is true and this is my life right now. Sure I have other things going and believe me I am one of those people who has an aspiration list a mile and half long that I am constantly trying to check off. Right now I really am a waitress at a beach joint that serves burgers and beers. This has nothing to do with the economy and and a job I “had to take”, but everything to do with the choices I have made and where my life is right now. And that is OK.
I have lived my life as a giant race, like so many- to be bigger, faster and better. I have stressed myself out, ticked people off, been exhausted for years and lost people I love. (In addition to having some incredible adventures. laughs and love of course.) Thankfully now at 30 and not 60, I have realized that I have been racing against myself at a pace that is too much of an ideal and unrealistic. I don’t want to race any more. I just want to serve some burgers at a place called Two Guys Grill and hit the beach on a sunny day off. I am finally accepting that this is enough for now.
I know I will accomplish whatever goals I have simply because I “show up” and try. I get up early, do at least one thing a day to learn something and try my best to be good to others. I will screw up, I am sure I’ll always have to “check” myself and I will never be perfect. The difference between today and yesterday is that I am finally starting to really own that I can make mistakes. None of us need to rule the world and it really is OK where we all are today.
Balance and life is a work in progress that never ends. It’s hard as hell, but pretty awesome. Sometimes you tear up in Starbucks or wherever at random. I have been doing that a lot lately. They are never sad tears, but learning tears (and those I have found- are the hardest but best ones.) 
I am off to Two Guys to sling those burgers and just take it all for what it’s worth.
🙂
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April 15, 2009 In Uncategorized

A GIANT Way To Help A Community

Gary Greff started quite the project 20 years ago to help bring people and business to his community in North Dakota. He has created the Enchanted Highway by building enormous metal structures from grasshoppers to geese that stand tall off interstate 94.

This gent had done no welding or artwork prior to the launch of this project. Clearly he had a vision and a lot of heart which as we all know is really what makes all the difference anyway.
The Enchanted Highway has been featured on Round America, PBS, Roadside America and others as one of those can’t miss on a road trip places. I sure look forward to checking it out when I am out there again.
Props to you Gary, for believing in and loving your community so much. They are lucky to have you!
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April 14, 2009 In Uncategorized

Listen To Your Elders

I’ve realized recently how great it is to be the “dumb/young guy” in the room. Even if you are the driven and intelligent kind, think about how much you’ve learned those times you find yourself around people who are just really good, interesting and motivated. It’s not easy to just shut up and listen, especially when you feel like you might have a lot to contribute, but it is so worth it.

If you can manage, try to weasel your way into a crowd that has way more experience/expertise or might be older than you. When you get there, pay full attention. Trust that someone that has lived even a week longer than you probably actually does know more than you do.
It’s pretty simple right? Surround yourself with the best kind of people you can that have lived longer than you and you’ll learn a lot. 
Free lessons are fantastic.
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April 13, 2009 In Uncategorized

Ceramic Gnomes Are Cool

People buy these things. With money. For real. I saw them in a store today. 

What’s another good word for WOW?

I love that there is free entertainment in every direction, at every minute. What’s better is that I can snap a simple picture, post it here and help spread gnome love around the world. (And hopefully make you roll on the floor laughing with me of course.)
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April 12, 2009 In Uncategorized

Two Words

Mamma Zu.

The place where the service experience is typically like that of The Soup Nazi, the line is always out the door, and you always leave so full, fat and happy you can’t wait to go back. 
Do yourself a favor if you are ever in Richmond, VA and eat at Mamma Zu. There’s just nothing else like it. It has that dark and dingy joint charm that somehow works. The chalkboard menu is chucked full of the freshest and most de-lish food you could ever want. The white pizza is pretty much to die for, and I still say the cannolis are better at this place than anything I had in Italy. 
The best part is that you can get an appetizer, a couple of pasta dishes, a bottle of wine, dessert and coffee for fifty bucks. 
Oh Mamma Zu, how I love you.
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April 10, 2009 In Uncategorized

Jem And The Holograms Were Always My Girls,

but over lunch today I was enlightened with some very important info. that anyone who was an 80’s kid will appreciate. I’m not sure why, but for some reason I wasn’t aware that the saying “And knowing is half the battle” came from GI Joe. Clearly I was far to distracted with my after school episodes of Little House On The Prairie. 

I have just found some hilarious PSA’s/spoofs on the Real American Hero. You can Google the adult versions. (There are enough to have you rolling for a while.) I’ll keep it clean here and link you to an original version for a good bit of flashback fun.
This reminds me. Just a couple weeks ago, I walked past some college kids and gasped with delight when I saw they were using Trapper Keepers. They informed me “Oh yeah, everyone is using them these days, you can buy them a ton of places now.” Hmmm. Maybe I should have moved forward with my idea for t-shirts a few years ago that would have said; I have a Trapper Keeper. (Seems like they’d be quite popular.)
Here are some images that I dare you to try and not laugh at. My 1st Trapper Keeper had a light blue ocean scene with a sweet looking dolphin on it. Between that and rocking my side ponytail almost everyday, I felt like one hot ticket. Maybe I’ll try dig up an old photo to post sometime. Better yet, why don’t you send me a photo of your super sweet Trapper Keepers or Hammer Pants? Oh what fun.
(This post is for you E. Because we share the same ridiculous humor, I know it will make you laugh your a** off for a good half hour at least. Love it. Hows that for a birthday present?!)
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