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<channel>
	<title>Alexandra Friedman</title>
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	<link>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/</link>
	<description>If Content is King, Connection is Queen. I design &#38; curate content based on the issues, needs &#38; interests specific to women. Creating Content With Connection!</description>
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		<title>Sleep Laughing &#8211; On Waking Myself Up From LoLing</title>
		<link>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/08/12/sleep-laughing-talking-waking/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexandra Friedman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Aug 2016 04:36:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Connection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Creative Writing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hypnogely]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sleep Talking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sleeping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Somniloquy]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/?p=21099</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Laughing out loud and waking myself up from a deep sleep three times in one week is impressive, but also curious, so I looked into it.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/08/12/sleep-laughing-talking-waking/">Sleep Laughing &#8211; On Waking Myself Up From LoLing</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 style="text-align: left;">Earlier This Week I Woke Myself up From Sleep Laughing</h2>
<p>Usually I wake up in the middle of the night because I have to pee, or my neighbor slams her front door at 2:00 in the morning almost scaring the pee out of me. But this time, It was my mirthful subconscious to blame.</p>
<p>Telling you about the dream would be silly. Nobody REALLY likes to hear about other people’s dreams, right? I mean, my mom always listens with a sincere interest, but let’s be honest, as soon as anybody else starts talking about their dream, unless it involves me personally, I tune them out. I assume you do too.</p>
<p>But obviously I was enjo<img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-21109" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/sleep_laughing.png" alt="sleep laughing" width="311" height="235" srcset="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/sleep_laughing.png 477w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/sleep_laughing-300x227.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 311px) 100vw, 311px" />ying the conversation and interaction in my dream so much that I laughed hard enough for it to wake me up.</p>
<p>And to be honest, it was pretty awesome&#8230;Because when I woke up, I was still laughing and I had a huge smile on my face.</p>
<p>I turned over on my side and I was still chuckling to myself. And to top it off, I still had another three hours left until my alarm went off.</p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">The next two nights, it happened again.</h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Different dreams with different people, but yet again, I woke myself up laughing. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the third night, not only did I wake myself up from laughing, but I woke myself up from moving while I was giggling. I was shifting my body in the same flirtatious manner I was in my dream. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What might come across as normal and flirty when I&#8217;m conscious and standing up, almost becomes violent and dangerous when I&#8217;m sleeping. I know this because my neck has been killing me all week, and I am pretty sure it’s due to this new sleep-laughing.</span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">But honestly, I love it.</h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Waking up with a huge smile on my face, no matter what time it is in the wee hours of the morning, is making me smile even as I write this. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I find it incredibly enduring to know that my subconscious seems to be having more fun while I’m sleeping than she (Does our subconscious have a preferred gender pronoun?) does when she is awake. </span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">I’ve Always Been a Sleep Talker</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Talking in my sleep isn’t new. I’ve heard over the years that I talk in my sleep a lot. And some people have even tried to get deep, dark, secrets out of me. </span></p>
<p>I remember when I lived with my partner in my twenties he would try to have conversations with me when I would talk in my sleep.</p>
<p><em>“The note is in my pocket”</em> I said out loud as we slept.</p>
<p><em>“What does the note say?”</em> he replied in curiosity.</p>
<p>To his dismay, every time, his response would wake me up. I’d roll over and mumble a slur of unrecognizable words and then finally spurt out, <em>“I’m sleep talking. Stop messing with me.”</em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Usually sleep talking gets worse when I am in a new location, stressed, or in unfamiliar scenario. Say, traveling abroad with friends, sharing a bed with my mom on a family trip, or having an overnight with a new gent I’m dating.</span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Thexy Talk</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As if breaking the news to a new boyfriend that I wear a night guard to sleep isn’t sexy enough. I also have to tell him that I tend to talk in my sleep&#8230;And if I do, <em>“It will thound thuper thexy”</em> while also wearing my night guard. I guess that’s my true test for them. If they can handle that, he’s a keeper.</span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Hypnogely and Somniloquy &#8211; It’s Science</h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sleep laughing and waking myself up three times in one week is impressive, but also curious, so I looked into it. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">You know, because, the Internets gives life to new hypochondriacs. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I have a condition. I know, it’s scary, but at least we know. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Somniloquy, more commonly known as sleep talking, is pretty common, and let’s be honest, I don’t have a brain tumor, just an active mind, and witty sense of humor. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What’s technically known as </span><a href="http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FCJN%2FCJN40_04%2FS0317167100014621a.pdf&amp;code=7d6dcc0c11ac667da239898b8d35813a" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">hypnogely, or sleep laughing, can symbolize a neurological disorder</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, but it’s rare. </span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">I think we should all be more concerned about the fact that I laugh at my own jokes. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">All of them.</span> Conscious or not.</h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If this “condition” got worse, I could see it becoming a problem, but for now, I’m finding it to be a fun and new way for me to connect with my subconscious. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And if I really wanted to dig in and take it a step further, and really hack what&#8217;s going on, I would consider the stress in my week, how I am feeling this week, what I’ve been eating, how much sleep I’ve been getting, etc. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Or, I could just get to the good subconscious stuff and record myself talking or laughing with this <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sleep-talk-recorder/id391767653?mt=8" target="_blank">Sleep Talk Recorder App.</a></span></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/08/12/sleep-laughing-talking-waking/">Sleep Laughing &#8211; On Waking Myself Up From LoLing</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
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		<title>On Creating Human Connection While Walking 10 Blocks to the Pharmacy</title>
		<link>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/08/02/creating-human-connection/</link>
					<comments>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/08/02/creating-human-connection/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexandra Friedman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Aug 2016 05:40:35 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Connection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Creative Writing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Risk Taking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[affirmation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[creative writing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[everyday connection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to create connection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Human connection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life experiences]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[what is connection]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/?p=21075</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We all want to create genuine human connections, and more often than not, we are walking right past little moments of magic...Even on the way to the pharmacy. </p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/08/02/creating-human-connection/">On Creating Human Connection While Walking 10 Blocks to the Pharmacy</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It was 8:10pm when I left my apartment and started walking towards the pharmacy.</p>
<p>Fresh out of the shower, my curls drew a curtain around my face like a wet mop.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">I wanted to go unnoticed so I could connect with myself and get lost in my own thoughts.</h2>
<p>And lucky for me, I was wearing my brown puffy coat, which hides everything, including any potential body curves that might give away the fact that I’m a woman.</p>
<p>The pharmacy was 10 blocks away and I thought that it might just be enough walking time to get some life-changing insight&#8230;Either on the way there or the way back.</p>
<p>I was pretty sure that the key to hiding from people was to take the road less traveled. So literally, I decided to take a residential road so that I wouldn’t have to pass anybody and make eye contact or have any human connection except with myself.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-21079" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-08-02-at-3.43.39-PM.png" alt="outer richmond san frnacisco" width="836" height="294" srcset="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-08-02-at-3.43.39-PM.png 825w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-08-02-at-3.43.39-PM-300x105.png 300w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-08-02-at-3.43.39-PM-768x270.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 836px) 100vw, 836px" />I slid my earbuds into my ears, but decided to walk in silence. No podcast blaring. No music. Nothing.</p>
<p>This means I might actually have to walk and listen to my feet hitting the ground. Maybe, just maybe, I’d hear my own voice in my head. I might even accidentally talk out loud. And if that did happen, hopefully I&#8217;d fit right in on the streets of San Francisco, but more importantly, hopefully I&#8217;d recognize my own voice.</p>
<p>It’s the end of July and there’s a light mist as I walked outside. A typical San Francisco summer, I sped up to stay warm.</p>
<p><strong>Halfway down the first block</strong> I saw a familiar old man with a walker.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure he just does laps around the building. A few in the morning and a few in the evening. Sometimes he plops the seat down on his walker in the middle of the sidewalk and takes a rest.</p>
<p>As I fast approached him, he shuffled to a pause and looked up at me.</p>
<p>We made eye contact, and he gave me a wide toothless smile and nodded his head. Taken off guard, I grinned back at the last minute, but I wasn’t sure he saw me.</p>
<p>I felt bad for not saying hello. So, before I got to the end of the street, I paused and walked backwards a few steps so I was in front of him again.</p>
<p>“Good evening!” I said loudly and I gave him a large fake grin.</p>
<p>He squinted and smiled with an open mouth. He nodded slightly and then kept shuffling forward. I&#8217;m not even sure he knew that I was the same person.</p>
<p>Eager to get to the pharmacy before it closed, I jogged across the intersection to pick up the pace.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignleft wp-image-21085 " src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-08-02-at-4.31.42-PM.png" alt="I Can't hear you" width="261" height="230" srcset="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-08-02-at-4.31.42-PM.png 451w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-08-02-at-4.31.42-PM-300x264.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 261px) 100vw, 261px" /><strong>Two blocks later</strong> I cross paths with a man walking a white poodle and smoking a cigarette.</p>
<p>He locked eyes with me as I circled around him. “Evening.” he said to me as his eyes followed my body.</p>
<p>Using my headphones as a deploy, I pretend not to hear him, and kept walking.</p>
<p><strong>By the seventh block,</strong> I shook my head to myself in disappointment when I realized I’d spent the entire walk worrying.</p>
<p>Mostly worrying about things that hadn&#8217;t happened yet. I congratulate myself of <a href="https://www.tarabrach.com/" target="_blank">being conscious of my thoughts</a>, and think about my feet hitting the ground. “Be mindful.” I whisper to myself as I march forward.</p>
<p><strong>But by the eighth block,</strong> I started daydreaming about how I might have my insightful moment on the walk back. Damn ego. Go away.</p>
<p>On the corner of <strong>ninth block</strong>, three college boys stopped to let me pass in front of them. “What’s up girl?” one of them called out at me.</p>
<p>Not sure if I was flattered or feeling flirty, I respond with the first thing that came to mind, “Oh, Heyyyyyy.” Like I held the y in “hey” for a good three seconds too long.</p>
<p>Finally, I barged into the Walgreens. I marched down the beauty aisle, and squeezed past two 30-something men looking at the rows of shampoo options. “Pardon me&#8230;” I quietly said as I ducked past them. No, literally, I ducked. As if they were taking a picture of the shampoo.</p>
<p>I heard one of the men laugh behind me and ask if I have any recommendations. Feeling flirty, but also practical, I responded, “Curly girls don’t use shampoo.” I didn’t even look back, I just kept heading to the pharmacy in the back of the store.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">I walked home slightly annoyed that I didn&#8217;t get the reflection time I had anticipated&#8230;</h2>
<p>All I wanted was a quick and quiet trip to the pharmacy. I wanted time to connect with myself. Connect with my thoughts, and get some insight.</p>
<p>When I walked back into my apartment and plopped my bag down on the floor, I stood next to the door for a minute in silence. I was quickly reminded that I was alone.</p>
<p>Then I realized that the connection I had been craving on the walk had been there all along&#8230;and I didn’t even have to look for it. <strong>I had walked right into it.</strong></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/08/02/creating-human-connection/">On Creating Human Connection While Walking 10 Blocks to the Pharmacy</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
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		<title>Content With Connection &#8211; A Life Experience Redesign</title>
		<link>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/07/31/content-life-experience-redesign/</link>
					<comments>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/07/31/content-life-experience-redesign/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexandra Friedman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 31 Jul 2016 07:59:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Creative Writing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Risk Taking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self Improvement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[30 day challenge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[affirmation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[creative writing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life experience redesign]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[love languages]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/?p=21069</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>It’s a daunting task to consider how we each have designed our own life. To take a step back to reflect, and realize or admit that we may want a redesign. We explore how redesigning life might start with just connecting and experiencing it.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/07/31/content-life-experience-redesign/">Content With Connection &#8211; A Life Experience Redesign</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>It’s a daunting task to consider how we each have designed our own life.</strong></p>
<p>Pause. Take a step back to reflect, and realize or admit that we may want a redesign.</p>
<p>Perhaps not to emulate somebody else’s life, but to redesign our own life so that we can cultivate experiences, create connection with ourselves, the people in our lives, or even strangers.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m a bit overwhelmed with the steps needed to create the transformations I&#8217;m excited to take on.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-21070" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-07-31-at-8.11.47-PM.png" alt="life_experience_redesign" width="754" height="266" srcset="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-07-31-at-8.11.47-PM.png 826w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-07-31-at-8.11.47-PM-300x106.png 300w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-07-31-at-8.11.47-PM-768x271.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 754px) 100vw, 754px" /></p>
<p>But these feelings of overwhelm are actually just a defense mechanism, or maybe even a way to procrastinate. Being consciously aware of this, I can literally separate myself from them, and begin to step over them. They are getting in my way.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">A Life Experience Redesign</h2>
<p>For the past month I have been privately writing (almost) 1,000 words every day.</p>
<p>Creative writing that sometimes flows so naturally that I sway as I write. Eyes closed and gliding back and forth with my body. Dancing with my fingers typing so quickly.</p>
<p>This is the <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/raising-happiness/201509/3-steps-finding-your-flow" target="_blank">“flow” experience </a>I hear so many people talk about, and I’d love to bing my flow to a new level and publish what I&#8217;m writing.</p>
<p>There has been no common theme with my writing, which has been a fun way for me to reignite my creative voices.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-21071" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-07-31-at-8.28.55-PM.png" alt="life_experience_redesign_writing" width="708" height="248" srcset="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-07-31-at-8.28.55-PM.png 825w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-07-31-at-8.28.55-PM-300x105.png 300w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-07-31-at-8.28.55-PM-768x269.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px" />My own words of affirmation are back. They are back for me, and they are back for my love of life.</p>
<p>I’m not sure where they have been. Maybe I was purposely keeping them quiet, or didn’t feel ready. But I’ve learned not to question timing. Maybe I wasn’t ready then. I’m ready now.</p>
<p>If <a href="http://www.5lovelanguages.com/faqs/love-languages/" target="_blank">affirmation is how I show love</a>, then it only seems natural to start acknowledging my life experiences with words. These words. The ones you are reading right now and the ones I will publishing.</p>
<p>My hope is that writing about these little experiences can inspire others to reflect on their own life. How we can design the life experience we desire.</p>
<p>My life experience redesign will start by finding a little magic every day that demonstrates those little moments of connection. And I’ll honor them with affirmation by writing about them and publishing them throughout the month of August.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Join me and soon you may be redesigning your life with me.</span></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/07/31/content-life-experience-redesign/">Content With Connection &#8211; A Life Experience Redesign</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
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		<title>Shareable Content Experiences: Get Confident With GIF Tips</title>
		<link>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/03/09/shareable-content-example-gif/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexandra Friedman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Mar 2016 21:45:55 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Content Strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[engagement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GIFs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interactive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shareable content]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Udemy]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/?p=20960</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We explore how the right topic plus hand-drawn GIFs can provide an interactive and shareable content experience that simple text can't compete with. Plus you'll learn some cool confidence tips. </p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/03/09/shareable-content-example-gif/">Shareable Content Experiences: Get Confident With GIF Tips</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 style="text-align: center;">What is a Shareable Content Experience?</h2>
<p>I worked with <a href="http://www.udemy.com" target="_blank">Udemy</a> to create useful, creative, and engaging pieces of content on the topics of some of Udemy’s most popular courses.</p>
<p>Some of the pieces were used for SEM strategies with ads, or pitched to influencers, journalists, and bloggers in complementing fields with the goal of growing the audience, creating unique content, and generating in-bound links.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-20968 aligncenter" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/shareable-content-experience-alex-friedman.png" alt="Shareable Content Experiences" width="695" height="242" srcset="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/shareable-content-experience-alex-friedman.png 695w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/shareable-content-experience-alex-friedman-300x104.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 695px) 100vw, 695px" /></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">11 Super Simple Ways to Boost Your Confidence</h2>
<p>We put together a list of 11 confidence boosters–most of which you can do while sitting at your desk. You can check out a few of my favorite &#8220;GIF tips&#8221; below. Then you can <a href="https://blog.udemy.com/11-super-simple-ways-to-boost-your-confidence-instantly/" target="_blank">take a deep dive with the full experience</a> to learn how to easily boost your self-esteem so you can tap into your inner power anytime, anyplace.</p>
<p><strong>Why Does This Content Create Connection?</strong> The topic of confidence is something most people can identify with, and the hand-drawn GIFs provide an interactive and shareable experience that simple text can&#8217;t compete with.</p>
<p>If coded correctly, GIFs can even be shared individually, which allows the content to connect with people both in bite-size pieces or in its entirety.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-20972 aligncenter" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Kowal-Udemy-Smonfidence-2015-10-Smell-1.gif" alt="Shareable Content Experience" width="420" height="280" /></p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20977" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/shareable-content-confindence-ritual.gif" alt="Shareable Content Using GIFs" width="1200" height="800" /></p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20985" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/shareable-content-confidence-joke.gif" alt="Shareable Content Confidence Joke" width="1200" height="800" /></p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20992" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/shareable-contentconfidence-affirmation-2.gif" alt="Shareable Content Confidence Affirmation" width="1200" height="800" /></p>
<p>The GIFs were designed and coded by SF-based designer and illustrator, <a href="http://kathleenkowal.com/" target="_blank">Kathleen Kowal</a>. Boost your mojo and <a href="https://blog.udemy.com/11-super-simple-ways-to-boost-your-confidence-instantly/" target="_blank">check out all of the confidence GIF tips.</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/03/09/shareable-content-example-gif/">Shareable Content Experiences: Get Confident With GIF Tips</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Podcast Connection: 3 Self Improvement Podcasts That Will Change Your Life</title>
		<link>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/01/19/self-improvement-podcasts/</link>
					<comments>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/01/19/self-improvement-podcasts/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexandra Friedman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jan 2016 06:51:32 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Self Improvement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[connection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[meditation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[podcasts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[slef improvement]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/?p=20939</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Any content that makes the audience laugh, cry or think helps to create a personal intimacy and connection. This reaction helps content become a “shareable content experience” and therefore accessible to a wider audience. Here’s are 3 self improvement podcasts that are publishing content that truly creates connection, and helps me improve my life in big ways, every day.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/01/19/self-improvement-podcasts/">The Podcast Connection: 3 Self Improvement Podcasts That Will Change Your Life</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Who needs astrology when I can just ask someone about what podcasts they are into and then judge our compatibility? Tell me about a podcast i&#8217;ve never heard of and I&#8217;ll swoon.</p>
<p>Podcasts are hot, and one of the <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/3041522/pod-power" target="_blank">best content-producing platforms</a> today.</p>
<p>Most of my conversations reference a podcast. I make jokes about it, but people ask me for a list of my favorite podcasts all the time. They Want in.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Screen-Shot-2016-01-18-at-9.15.41-PM.png" rel="attachment wp-att-20940"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20940" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Screen-Shot-2016-01-18-at-9.15.41-PM.png" alt="Podcast With Connection" width="715" height="249" srcset="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Screen-Shot-2016-01-18-at-9.15.41-PM.png 715w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Screen-Shot-2016-01-18-at-9.15.41-PM-300x104.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 715px) 100vw, 715px" /></a>I focus on content that helps me grow. I take notes. I make references. I share podcasts more than I share any other kind of content.</p>
<h2><strong>Podcasts Can Create Connection</strong></h2>
<p>I hear podcasts every day that help me feel more connected, yet I&#8217;ll be alone listening to the episode. How is that?</p>
<p>I can hear a professional or personal story and completely empathize. It&#8217;s a reminder that I am not alone.</p>
<p>I have cried multiple times listening to podcasts. I laugh out loud all the time. And I will stop podcasts multiple times to rewind, take notes, and share.</p>
<p>I build a connection in a myriad of ways, and I actually have a lot of pride for each of those moments. They make me happy because I hope to create those same connections with the people in my life.</p>
<p>Connection can mean so many things to people. Here’s are 3 self improvement podcasts that are publishing content that truly creates connection, and helps me improve my life in big ways, every day.</p>
<h2>1. Tara Brach</h2>
<h4>Meditation, Emotional Healing, Spiritual Awakening</h4>
<p>Tara is a leading western teacher of Buddhist (mindfulness) meditation, emotional healing and spiritual awakening.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.tarabrach.com/the-realm-of-hungry-ghosts/" target="_blank" rel="attachment wp-att-20935"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignleft wp-image-20935" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/connection_podcasts_tara_brach.png" alt="Connection Podcasts - Tara Brach" width="124" height="124" srcset="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/connection_podcasts_tara_brach.png 408w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/connection_podcasts_tara_brach-150x150.png 150w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/connection_podcasts_tara_brach-300x300.png 300w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/connection_podcasts_tara_brach-50x50.png 50w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/connection_podcasts_tara_brach-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 124px) 100vw, 124px" /></a>You don&#8217;t have to be religious or a meditator to feel connected to the journey <a href="https://www.tarabrach.com/talks-audio-video/" target="_blank">Tara Brach</a> guides you through in her podcasts (dharma talks). I always seem to choose the perfect episode to give me the healing I need for that day.</p>
<p>If I sound dramatic, it&#8217;s because I feel that connected to her content. Tara is funny, mindful, relatable and realistic.</p>
<p>Whatever issues you have going on, her podcasts can help you be present and gain a new perspective.</p>
<p><strong>Content With Connection Episode Recommendation: </strong><a href="https://www.tarabrach.com/the-realm-of-hungry-ghosts/" target="_blank">The Realm of Hungry Ghosts</a></p>
<h2>2. Dear Sugar Radio</h2>
<h4 class="l-article-primary">Listen To Your Heart — Radically Empathic Advice From Cheryl Strayed And Steve Almond</h4>
<p><a href="http://www.cherylstrayed.com/" target="_blank">Cheryl Strayed</a> and <a href="http://againstfootball.org/bio/" target="_blank">Steve Almond </a>are both renowned authors. The podcast was actually born from Strayed&#8217;s <a href="http://www.wbur.org/2015/09/25/dear-sugar-episode-twenty-seven" target="_blank" rel="attachment wp-att-20948"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-20948 alignleft" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Screen-Shot-2016-01-18-at-10.36.36-PM.png" alt="Dear Sugar Podcast" width="87" height="88" srcset="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Screen-Shot-2016-01-18-at-10.36.36-PM.png 188w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Screen-Shot-2016-01-18-at-10.36.36-PM-150x150.png 150w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Screen-Shot-2016-01-18-at-10.36.36-PM-50x50.png 50w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Screen-Shot-2016-01-18-at-10.36.36-PM-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 87px) 100vw, 87px" /></a>advice column, which was anonymous until her most famous book, <em>Wild</em>, was released.</p>
<p>The pair answer listeners&#8217; questions with sincere love mixed in with raw and hardcore truth. WAKE UP! Love can show up in so many weird ways, and this show seems to talk about all of them.</p>
<p>My favorite episodes are the ones about friendship, love, and loss. Oh, the drama.</p>
<p><strong>Content With Connection Episode Recommendation:</strong> <a href="http://www.wbur.org/2015/09/25/dear-sugar-episode-twenty-seven" target="_blank">The infidelity Episodes: Ester Perel</a></p>
<h2>3. The Work of Byron Katie</h2>
<h4>The Work, allowing your mind to return to its true, awakened, peaceful, creative nature.</h4>
<p><a href="http://thework.com/en" target="_blank">Byron Katie </a>is a master at helping people take on the work to drag them out of their misery. The misery of everything.</p>
<p>And when I say, &#8220;everything&#8221; I mean, OMG, this is intense, but so amazing. Katie has this <a href="http://thework.com/en" target="_blank" rel="attachment wp-att-20946"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-20946 alignleft" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Screen-Shot-2016-01-18-at-10.33.31-PM.png" alt="Byron Katie" width="128" height="124" srcset="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Screen-Shot-2016-01-18-at-10.33.31-PM.png 306w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Screen-Shot-2016-01-18-at-10.33.31-PM-300x291.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px" /></a>formula she calls &#8220;The Work&#8221; that she uses to coach people through their suffering,</p>
<p>From love to death to self doubt, she demonstrates how people can work through any issue by utilizing her formula. Her episodes are consuming. I have played them OUT LOUD for multiple friends. Slightly shocking and so raw and real.</p>
<p><strong>Content With Connection Episode Recommendation: </strong><a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/bryon-katie/the-work-of-bryon-katie" target="_blank">Bosses, Tsunamis, and Global Warming</a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2016/01/19/self-improvement-podcasts/">The Podcast Connection: 3 Self Improvement Podcasts That Will Change Your Life</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
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		<title>Creating New Life Chapters &#124; Moving to San Francisco</title>
		<link>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2014/06/24/move-san-francisco/</link>
					<comments>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2014/06/24/move-san-francisco/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexandra Friedman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jun 2014 21:55:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Risk Taking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moving]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[San Francisco]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/?p=20156</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I Moved to San Francisco! People think that the decision to move to San Francisco from Denver came out of the blue, but it didn&#8217;t. This itch to live in...</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2014/06/24/move-san-francisco/">Creating New Life Chapters | Moving to San Francisco</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>I Moved to San Francisco!</strong></p>
<p>People think that the decision to move to San Francisco from Denver came out of the blue, but it didn&#8217;t. This itch to live in SF has been crawling at me for many years.<span id="more-20156"></span></p>
<p>After living in Denver for 8.5 years, I decided last summer that I had finally outgrown the Mile High city and took the plunge to move to San Francisco.</p>
<p>And what an incredible journey it has been.</p>
<p>I sold my house in the Denver Highlands in 2 days and packed my bags (and huge storage containers) for one of the most beautiful cities in the country.</p>
<p>I am excited to get back into the swing of my favorite creative outlet (writing!), and keep you all updated along the way!</p>
<p>With that said, my consulting business is booming and I am plugging away hard at some pretty sexy startups.</p>
<p>Excited to stay connected.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2014/06/24/move-san-francisco/">Creating New Life Chapters | Moving to San Francisco</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
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		<title>Custom Denver Date Ideas &#8211; I&#8217;ll Plan Your Denver Date For Free</title>
		<link>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2012/06/16/custom-denver-date-ideas/</link>
					<comments>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2012/06/16/custom-denver-date-ideas/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexandra Friedman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 16 Jun 2012 22:29:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Dating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[date night]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online dating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[planning]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/?p=17847</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>From first dates to 10-year anniversaries, I want to plan your custom Denver date for you. There are no rules and no gimmicks...You have to plan a date, and I want to help...For free! </p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2012/06/16/custom-denver-date-ideas/">Custom Denver Date Ideas &#8211; I&#8217;ll Plan Your Denver Date For Free</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As an active and successful online dater, I find that there is one key element missing from the experience&#8230;A tool to help hopeful singles plan awesome dates.</p>
<p>A majority of the time, my online suitors and I go back and forth about what neighborhood we should meet up in, and what we should do. I personally like it when a man emails me with a date suggestions already decided&#8230;He did his homework, and that&#8217;s sexy.</p>
<p>Let me tell you this&#8230;There&#8217;s something incredible attractive about a man who plans a cool date, and this doesn&#8217;t mean it has to be expensive or over-the-top.</p>
<h2>&gt;&gt;&gt;Update: Due to an overload of date idea requests, the survey is now closed! So sorry!&lt;&lt;&lt;</h2>
<h2>Answer a Few Questions &amp; I&#8217;ll Email You With Custom Denver Date Ideas</h2>
<p>I&#8217;ve always been a great date planner, and I want to share my skills with Denver&#8217;s dating scene. From first dates to 10-year anniversaries, I want to plan your Denver date for you. There are no rules and no gimmicks&#8230;You have to plan a date, and I want to help&#8230;For free! And all your info is private, and just between you and me.  My goal with this is to see just how many people actually are interested in having a date planned for them by a local know-it-all.</p>
<h2>No Really, It&#8217;s Free</h2>
<h2>&gt;&gt;&gt;Due to an overload of date idea requests, the survey is now closed! So sorry!&lt;&lt;&lt;</h2>
<p>For now, it&#8217;s free! I just want your feedback after you get my custom date ideas.</p>
<h2>Get Date Ideas Personalized For You in 3 Easy Steps</h2>
<p>1. Fill out <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGxFaXZwdV9QbUJ6N0VzX0xVNi1GUkE6MQ#gid=0" target="_blank">this survey</a> about the date you need help planning</p>
<p>2. Get an email from me with a couple different date ideas to pick from</p>
<p>3. Respond with which idea you dig the most</p>
<p>Fill out <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGxFaXZwdV9QbUJ6N0VzX0xVNi1GUkE6MQ#gid=0" target="_blank">this survey,</a> and I will plan your Denver date for you.</p>
<h2>&gt;&gt;&gt;Due to an overload of date idea requests, the survey is now closed! So sorry!&lt;&lt;&lt;</h2>
<h2><span style="color: #ff0000;">Bonus: Denver date night ideas to get your planning going:</span></h2>
<p>&#8211; <strong><a href="http://datenightindenver.com/blog/2012/11/12/free-denver-date-ideas/" target="_blank">5 Fun &amp; Free Denver Date Ideas</a></strong> (My favorite is &#8220;Winter in the Park!&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8211; <strong><a href="http://datenightindenver.com/blog/2013/04/15/denver_picnic_date_romantic/" target="_blank">What Are Denver’s Best Locations For a Romantic Picnic Date?</a></strong></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2012/06/16/custom-denver-date-ideas/">Custom Denver Date Ideas &#8211; I&#8217;ll Plan Your Denver Date For Free</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
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		<title>7 Humorous Ways to Exercise While You&#8217;re at Work</title>
		<link>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2012/04/10/exercise_while_work_desk/</link>
					<comments>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2012/04/10/exercise_while_work_desk/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexandra Friedman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:13:44 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Athletic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[desk fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[desk workout]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[exercise]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[office fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[professional fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[workout]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/?p=12152</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Stop complaining about having no time to work out...You spend like 8-90 glorious hours at the office most days of the week! There's a lot of time to workout, you just need to know where to find it, how to fit it in, and the reasons why you should work it....</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2012/04/10/exercise_while_work_desk/">7 Humorous Ways to Exercise While You&#8217;re at Work</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Stop complaining about having no time to work out&#8230;You spend like 8-90 glorious hours at the office most days of the week! There&#8217;s a lot of time to workout, you just need to know where to find it, how to fit it in, and the reasons why you should work it. Hahaha, get it? &#8220;work it&#8221; applies to working out and work? Just let me have my moment, thanks.</p>
<p>I took a run/walk thing during lunch the other day at work&#8230;And it inspired me to help my readers learn how to embrace their work toosh, and start implementing an active lifestyle while at the office working all day&#8230;</p>
<h2><strong>1. The Water Cooler Calf Burn</strong></h2>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignleft  wp-image-20403" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/exercise-work-water-cooler-calf-burn.png" alt="Exercise at Work With Water Cooler Calf Burns" width="110" height="164" srcset="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/exercise-work-water-cooler-calf-burn.png 293w, http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/exercise-work-water-cooler-calf-burn-201x300.png 201w" sizes="(max-width: 110px) 100vw, 110px" />You are standing there like a jerk, filling your metal water bottle&#8230;Probably thinking about something stupid, like if you turned off the oven this morning, or if you can have an office romance with yourself, so why shouldn&#8217;t you use this valuable 60 seconds to help you build those Grecian-sculpted calves?</p>
<p><strong>Get Fit:</strong> So, stand up straight, and do some calf lifts right there&#8230;Yes, right next to that damn water cooler! Don&#8217;t ask me if you can balance on the wall&#8230;Of course you can, but only if you have to. If a colleague sees you doing calf lifts, at least do it like you mean it, without the wall.</p>
<h2>2. The Boring Meeting Ab Flex</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2012/04/10/exercise_while_work_desk/screen-shot-2011-04-05-at-5-18-01-pm/" rel="attachment wp-att-12182"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignleft  wp-image-12182" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="Boring Office Meeting" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Screen-shot-2011-04-05-at-5.18.01-PM-e1302045542232.png" alt="Boring Office Meeting - Alexandra Friedman" width="167" height="109" /></a>&#8220;Wait, what? You think it would be useful to have me at the meeting? Really? I&#8217;d love to, but I&#8230;Oh, you think it&#8217;s important that I&#8217;m there &#8220;just in case?'&#8221;</p>
<p>You know you&#8217;ll go to this two hour meeting&#8230;You&#8217;ll bring your computer, think you&#8217;re listening and working at the same time, but you always fail at one. Shut up, you can never change this soul-sucking arrangement&#8230;You have to go, and now you will LOVE going.</p>
<p><strong>Get Fit:</strong> Sit there like a beast, and instead of being an annoyed jerk, be annoyed and flex your abs, and you can still be a jerk. Do 15 ab flexes&#8230;As many reps as it takes to get through the meeting&#8230;</p>
<h2>3. The Strolling to the Bathroom Lunge</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2012/04/10/exercise_while_work_desk/screen-shot-2011-04-06-at-1-04-55-pm/" rel="attachment wp-att-12215"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-12215" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="Lunging to the Office Bathroom" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Screen-shot-2011-04-06-at-1.04.55-PM.png" alt="Lunge to the Office Bathroom - Alexandra Friedman" width="147" height="125" /></a>You are either cruising to the loo because you have been holding it in for 83 minutes and you&#8217;re in pain, or you need a break and don&#8217;t want your colleagues to see you leave the office.</p>
<p>Your colleagues actually aren&#8217;t watching you as much as you think, so take advantage of this stroll, and puff out that toosh that you have been squishing in your 1985 piece-of-crap chair all day.</p>
<p><strong>Get Fit:</strong> Instead of walking to the loo, lunge your way over to the john. Make sure your knee and leg is at about 90 degrees when you lunge, not just because that is the fitness rule, but because we don&#8217;t need any Paris Hilton flashers&#8230;So yeah, brave the lunge in a skirt!</p>
<h2>4. The Not So Gross Toilet Squat</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2012/04/10/exercise_while_work_desk/screen-shot-2011-04-10-at-4-12-16-pm/" rel="attachment wp-att-12330"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-12330" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="Bathoom Stalls - Workout at Work" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Screen-shot-2011-04-10-at-4.12.16-PM.png" alt="workout at work - Alexandra Friedman" width="147" height="125" /></a>I don&#8217;t expect you all to be as good at this exercise or as comfortable with it as I am, but when you start noticing that your toosh looks amazing in spandex, you&#8217;ll be thanking me and the toilet squat.</p>
<p>Don&#8217;t worry hoverers, you don&#8217;t have to touch the toilet with your toosh at all.</p>
<p><strong>Get Fit:</strong> First, go into your favorite office bathroom stall&#8230;Then stand in front of the toilet as if you are going to sit down, but spread your legs so they are about shoulder width. Now squat down as if you are going to sit, but instead hover about an inch from toilet seat contact. Then start pushing your butt out and pull the squat up. Wow, that was a horrible definition of a squat.</p>
<p>Just do a damn squat over the toilet. Do 20, for 2 sets&#8230;&#8217;Cause I use the loo a lot, so that&#8217;s a lot of reps, which means mucho badonkadonk.</p>
<h2>5. The I Can&#8217;t See the Computer Screen Push-Up Fake Out</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2012/04/10/exercise_while_work_desk/screen-shot-2011-04-10-at-4-18-24-pm/" rel="attachment wp-att-12331"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-12331" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="Can't See Computer: Pushup Fake-out" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Screen-shot-2011-04-10-at-4.18.24-PM.png" alt="Workout at Work - Alexandra Friedman" width="147" height="125" /></a>When you went out drinking with your friends the other day and they joked about your man boobs, they were serious.</p>
<p>And fellow lady-friends&#8230;Stop kidding yourself&#8230;Your girls need a pick-me-up.</p>
<p><strong>Get Fit:</strong> Sit at your desk in front of your computer. Push your desk chair back with your butt so your body is at an angle, but in line with your neck. Place your hands in front of the keyboard at an angle, with your elbows pointing out. Now, mumble something about your eyesight getting crappy as you are getting old, and then bend your elbows so your body and face get closer to the computer. Do it really slow and hold it when you get your body close to the desk. Do only 12-15 reps so your colleagues don&#8217;t catch on.</p>
<h2>6. I&#8217;m Just adjusting My Seat Height Tricep Dip</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2012/04/10/exercise_while_work_desk/screen-shot-2011-04-10-at-4-34-16-pm/" rel="attachment wp-att-12332"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-12332" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="Office Tricep Dip" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Screen-shot-2011-04-10-at-4.34.16-PM.png" alt="Office Workout - Alexandra Friedman" width="147" height="125" /></a>If you don&#8217;t already have lunch lady/dude flabby arms, you will in no time, so you better prep now to avoid the kids pointing and laughing at you later.</p>
<p><strong>Get Fit:</strong> Push your office chair out from your desk, and move your body and legs forward so your legs are at a 90-degree angle. Your arms should be resting on the butt of your chair supporting your weight. Your hands should be pointing in toward your body for a regular old tricep dip.</p>
<p>A colleague might see you going up or down from the corner of their eye, but by the time they realize you look like a freak, your 12 reps will be done and you can say out loud, &#8220;Ah, found the perfect height for ultimate productivity.&#8221;</p>
<h2>7. Not Really Annoyed, But It&#8217;s Fun to Pretend Like I am Neck Rolls</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2012/04/10/exercise_while_work_desk/screen-shot-2011-04-10-at-5-49-41-pm/" rel="attachment wp-att-12377"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-12377" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="Neck Stretch" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Screen-shot-2011-04-10-at-5.49.41-PM.png" alt="workout at work - Alexandra Friedman" width="147" height="125" /></a>Nobody likes the office screamer&#8230;That one colleague that doesn&#8217;t know how to control their business emotions and yells/complains/cries when they are annoyed/stressed/hangry.</p>
<p>So the next time you are annoyed at work, or just want to pretend that you are, or really, you are just bored, or your computer is so slow that you want to throw the damn thing out the window as you dive into the bowl of jelly beans on your colleague&#8217;s desk, just do some neck rolls. They really don&#8217;t make you look that sexy, or build up bikini/mankini body essentials, but it calms you down, and freaks out your colleagues.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>So, how do you stay fit while at the office?</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2012/04/10/exercise_while_work_desk/">7 Humorous Ways to Exercise While You&#8217;re at Work</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
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		<title>If You&#8217;re a Female Founder &#8220;Stomp Your Feet&#8221; &#8211; Founder Institute</title>
		<link>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2011/08/29/founder_institute_female_fellowship/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexandra Friedman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2011 04:01:03 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Inspirational]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Professional]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Risk Taking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Adeo Ressi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Applyn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Denver]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[entrepreneur]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[female founder]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[founder]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Founder Institute]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jim Franklin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jon Nordmark]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[launch]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mentors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mike Stemple]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[startup]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[startups]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/?p=15701</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This past Friday evening I graduated from the Founder Institute’s Denver Summer Semester, and you know what? If I wasn’t wearing a skirt at graduation I’m pretty sure that I would have done a tuck side jump in celebration.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2011/08/29/founder_institute_female_fellowship/">If You&#8217;re a Female Founder &#8220;Stomp Your Feet&#8221; &#8211; Founder Institute</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This past Friday evening I graduated from the <a href="http://www.founderinstitute.com/" target="_blank">Founder Institute’s</a> Denver Summer Semester, and you know what? If I wasn’t wearing a skirt at graduation, I’m pretty sure that I would have done a tuck side jump in celebration.</p>
<p>On what seemed like an innocent spring day in May 2011, I attended my first Founder Institute meeting. It was at this meeting where about 30 “selected” accepted applicants gathered to get our entrepreneur butt kicked into gear.</p>
<p>By the second day of the meeting, about half the class did not return, and the rest of us returned with a little more hunger…Hunger for our business idea, sleep, and dinner.</p>
<p><a href="http://fi.co/about" target="_blank">Adeo Ressi </a>started The Founder Institute with the goal of creating a network of technology startup companies supported by top-notch mentors, hard-as-hell homework, and grill-you-to–the-bone constructive feedback. Basically, your really cute business idea is either going to sink or swim, and this time, you don’t get to wait for 45 minutes before you get into the water…So, like the rest of us, you dive into the water and start swimming to the other side, which is actually 3 months away. Oh, and I forgot to tell you, you’re skinny-dipping.</p>
<p>As the winner of the Denver Female Fellowship for the Founder Institute, and the only solo female founder in our semester, I felt this drive to be successful.</p>
<p>And while my first association with success was to make millions of dollars by the time I graduated, the real success was the huge amount of progress I made on my business, and the connections I made with some of the FI mentors. It was mentors like Jim Franklin, Mike Stemple, and Jon Nordmark who helped me realize the true potential of not just my business idea, but me as an entrepreneur, a creative, and a damn good speaker.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignleft" style="margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px;" title="Founder Institute - Alexandra Friedman" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Screen-shot-2011-08-29-at-9.38.25-PM-e1314675937472.png" alt="" width="200" height="153" />I can’t help but to be sad that the semester is already over…And although there was this sense of accomplishment on the day of our FI graduation…I am returning to my business with a little more hunger…Hunger for my business idea, sleep, and now, getting funded.</p>
<p>Thank you to the  Founder Institute and my Denver mentors and classmates!</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2011/08/29/founder_institute_female_fellowship/">If You&#8217;re a Female Founder &#8220;Stomp Your Feet&#8221; &#8211; Founder Institute</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
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		<title>13 British Slang Terms You Can Use At an Après-Ski Party</title>
		<link>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2011/04/02/british-slang-language-barrier/</link>
					<comments>http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2011/04/02/british-slang-language-barrier/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexandra Friedman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:25:28 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Humor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[accents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Après-Ski]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[British slang]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[slang]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/?p=11550</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Here are some entertaining American interpretations and definitions of the slang I heard used while traveling abroad in the French Alps. Warning, it makes Americans seem really lame...</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2011/04/02/british-slang-language-barrier/">13 British Slang Terms You Can Use At an Après-Ski Party</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We all know that somebody can all of a sudden becomes a bit more attractive when they have an accent. I mean, they gain at least 10-23 sexy points just by pulling out this accent, even if their nose hairs are wet with beer from the après-ski party.</p>
<p>While abroad in the French Alps, I was hanging out with a group of about 16 people that were from England, Ireland, Australia, and beyond, but most of them currently reside in London. The accents were hot, but what was even more fun was the British slang that was used during every conversation.</p>
<p>Every time I would hear slang that I didn&#8217;t understand I would giggle, interrupt the conversation, and ask for a definition&#8230;Granted, most of these definitions came during an après-ski bar adventure, so please correct me where the Hot Toddy was interpreting.</p>
<h2><strong>1. Rammed</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Example</strong> &#8211; &#8220;It was rammed!&#8221;<br />
<strong>Lame American Definition(s)</strong> &#8211; &#8220;There were dudes all up in my grill&#8221; or &#8220;He/She totally rammed them&#8221; (As a sexual innuendo)<br />
<strong>First Heard From</strong> &#8211; Lisa: The world traveler who is the movie-like Brit, and the life of every party</p>
<h2><strong>2. Tosser</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Example</strong> &#8211; &#8220;He&#8217;s such a tosser!&#8221; (In reference to an internet date&#8230;Can&#8217;t we all relate?)<br />
<strong>Lame American Definition</strong> &#8211; &#8220;A master Cornhole / Bean bag Tosser&#8221;<br />
<strong>First Heard From</strong> &#8211; Catherine: The Scottish Kate Middleton look-alike who temps men with her nice skin</p>
<h2><strong>3. Kitted Up</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Example</strong> &#8211; &#8220;You&#8217;re gonna get kitted up!?&#8221;<br />
<strong>Lame American Definition</strong> &#8211; &#8220;High maintenance women take forever to get ready&#8221; or &#8220;Go get ready!&#8221; (although still confused&#8230;Does &#8220;kit&#8221; mean gear?)<br />
<strong>First Heard From</strong> &#8211; Lisa: The world traveler who is the movie-like Brit, and the life of the party</p>
<h2><strong>4. Ace</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Example</strong> &#8211; &#8220;That would be Ace!&#8221; (Update: Now seems to be a popular word used often in the states)<br />
<strong>Lame American Definition</strong> &#8211; &#8220;That be total gangsta!&#8221; or &#8220;Hella cool!&#8221;<br />
<strong>First Heard From</strong> &#8211; Anita: The graphic designer with an appetite for hot music and even hotter dancing</p>
<h2><strong>5. Leathered</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Example</strong> &#8211; &#8220;We got a bit leathered&#8221;<br />
<strong>Lame American Definition</strong> &#8211; &#8220;I totally drunk dialed my intern&#8221; or &#8220;We got a bit hammered&#8221;<br />
<strong>First Heard From</strong> &#8211; Catherine: The Scottish Kate Middleton look-alike who temps men with her nice skin</p>
<h2><strong>6. Ripe Plum</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Example</strong>  &#8211; &#8220;I felt like a ripe plum!&#8221;<br />
<strong>Lame American Definition</strong> &#8211; &#8220;One Taco Short of a Combination Plate&#8221; or &#8220;I feel like a dumbass&#8221;<br />
<strong>First Heard From</strong> &#8211; Anita: The graphic designer with an appetite for hot music and even hotter dancing</p>
<h2><strong>7. Dear</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Example</strong> &#8211; &#8220;It was Dear&#8221;<br />
<strong>Lame American Definition</strong> &#8211; &#8220;What? That&#8217;s freakin&#8217; expensive, broh!&#8221;<br />
<strong>First Heard From</strong> &#8211; Gary: The incredibly tall Irish rugby player with an accent fit for Hollywood</p>
<h2><strong>8. Precious</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Example</strong> &#8211; &#8220;Don&#8217;t be so precious&#8221;<br />
<strong>Lame American Definition</strong> &#8211; &#8220;Who do you think you are, Charlie Sheen?&#8221; or &#8220;Don&#8217;t take yourself so seriously or perhaps, stop being so stingy or cheap.&#8221;<br />
<strong>First Heard From</strong> &#8211; Catherine: The Scottish Kate Middleton look-alike who temps men with her nice skin</p>
<h2><strong>9. Crack On</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Example</strong> &#8211; &#8220;Crack on!&#8221;<br />
<strong>Lame American Definition</strong> &#8211; &#8220;Let&#8217;s bounce!&#8221;<br />
<strong>First Heard From</strong> &#8211; Lisa: The world traveler who is the movie-like Brit, and the life of every party</p>
<h2><strong>10. Murder</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Example</strong> &#8211; &#8220;I could murder coke&#8221;<br />
Lame American definition &#8211; &#8220;Mine.&#8221; or &#8220;I would kill for a Coke&#8221; (although the example above would mean actually murdering a coke.)<br />
<strong>First Heard From</strong> &#8211; Catherine: The Scottish Kate Middleton look-alike who temps men with her nice skin</p>
<h2><strong>11. Legend</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Example</strong> &#8211; &#8220;He&#8217;s such a legend&#8221;<br />
<strong>Lame American Definition</strong> &#8211; &#8220;A legend like Zelda!&#8221; or &#8220;He&#8217;s such a great guy&#8221; (aka, not cute)<br />
<strong>First Heard From</strong> &#8211; Lisa: The world traveler who is the movie-like Brit, and the life of every party</p>
<h2><strong>12. Kitty</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Example</strong> &#8211; &#8220;Money for the kitty.&#8221;<br />
<strong>Lame American Definition</strong> &#8211; &#8220;I&#8217;m gonna mooch off of you&#8221; or &#8220;Let&#8217;s all chip in&#8221;<br />
<strong>First Heard From</strong> &#8211; Dan &#8211; The British Meribel seasonaire</p>
<h2><strong>13. Fraping</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Example</strong> &#8211; &#8220;No Fraping me!&#8221; (Update: Now seems to be a popular word used often in the states)<br />
<strong>Lame American Definition</strong> &#8211; &#8220;Don&#8217;t jack my Frappuccino!&#8221; or &#8220;Updating your status on Facebook when you are not looking.&#8221;<br />
<strong>First Heard From</strong> &#8211; Lisa: The world traveler who is the movie-like Brit, and the life of every party</p>
<p><a href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2011/04/02/british-slang-language-barrier/picture-113/" rel="attachment wp-att-11565"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-11565 alignleft" title="British Slang from British Babes" src="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Picture-113-e1300636459209.png" alt="British Slang from British Babes - Alexandra Friedman" width="325" height="231" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>What British slang have you heard or made up that cracks you up?</strong></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com/2011/04/02/british-slang-language-barrier/">13 British Slang Terms You Can Use At an Après-Ski Party</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alexandrafriedman.com">Alexandra Friedman</a>.</p>
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