I’m so tired but in the absolute best way.  Work is good, and I’ve been spending time with friends and I’ve got a lot to look forward to.  This weekend, I have the bridal shower of my sister-to-be, time with good friends, a trip to Renegade SF for some crafty fun and a stop at Crown and Crumpet with lovely friends and hopefully, some sleep along the way.

I wish I had exciting, fun things to share, but the big thing I’ve been working on for work launches next Monday, so I’ve been preparing for it.  I’m so proud of what we’ve done, and if you’re a local, you might want to check it out, here.

Since I am currently devoid of anything amazing to share, I thought I’d show you a few of my online haunts currently offering up some awesome posts:

• This isn’t really a blog, but the Action Method?  Well, it’s changing my life.  I love being able to manage all the little things I’ve got going on in one place, plus, having the help of an iPhone app.  It’s amazing.  I’m still on my free trial, but I can almost guarantee that I’ll be signing up for the paid version when it runs out.
• The lovely Liz posted a list of all the things she’s looking forward to about fall!  I’ve been thinking a lot about crunching leaves and admiring my argyle cardigans—this list just served to make me more excited.
• One of my favorite humans ever, and blogger extraordinaire Doniree, has been writing these amazing Off The Mat posts, and I particularly enjoyed this one, about self care and a calm presence.
• I’m a complete Yes and Yes fan girl, which I’m sure you already know, but I am currently working my way through her Wanderlust Workbook.  While I doubt I’ll quit my job and run off, I do love the general planning tips for travel.  I’m still hoping to pull off a trip to Paris next year, so this is extra timely.
• I loved this post by Jamie, my love.  She always puts things in the exact right words.

So, I’m off for a full Friday and a very fun weekend.  What are you up to? I hope it’s lovely, friends.  Take good care and I’ll see you Monday!

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I’m not gonna lie: I tend to sort of scoff at people who take “technology fasts.”  I guess I’ve always thought I was pretty good at stepping back, at leaving my phone alone, at not being connected.  I’ve never felt the need to disconnect completely, mostly because I like technology.

This past weekend, I had the chance to really step away.  Andrew’s friends invited us up to their cabin, where cell reception was spotty at best.  At first, I felt sort of anxious: minimal tweeting?  Facebook barely loading?  No Google Reader?  What was I going to do with my free time?

I had no problem filling it.  Andrew and I took a hike along the lake, without phones.  We enjoyed the trees and the water, and most of all, one another’s company.  We spent a night on the porch over a lazy dinner and wine, talking and laughing.  Andrew and I spent the morning sitting on the dock over the lake, dangling our feet in the water and reading.  I finished an entire book in one day, just like I used to as a kid.  We watched a thunderstorm roll through and breathed the fresh air and chatted.

Once we got back into town, I had a massage (my body has been in major pain lately!)—another hour without phone.  When I emerged from that room, I noticed I felt so much happier.  Lighter, even.

Lately, I’ve been making a conscious effort to not watch TV unless it’s a show I’m in love with.  I’ve read five books in the past three weeks, something I used to do all the time but haven’t done in forever.  Andrew and I have been walking more and I’ve been listening to more music.

While I’ll probably never be a “technology fast” person (and can’t really be, just because of the nature of my job/hobbies), I am definitely reaping the benefits of stepping back occasionally: good reading, good conversations, and a good feeling of TRUE relaxation.

And reluctantly, I must admit: not having technology has definitely helped.

Do you step away from technology completely?  Do you take mini-breaks?  Why or why not?

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As you might remember, Andrew got me an adorable blue cruiser bike for my birthday.  While I rode it occasionally, now that we’re living downtown, there really is no reason why I shouldn’t be riding my bike to the office, especially considering that I now work only 2.5 miles from home.

The thing is that I was scared.  I mean, everyone and their mom rides their bike in Sacramento, but STILL.  I’m a baby, like I said.

Last week, during a welcome lunch with my boss, he offered to ride to work with me, as we live close together and he promised me a route that involved the river, few cars and a “lovely” ride that only took 15 minutes.  Of course, my inner worrywart went all crazy with the WHAT IF’S involved in that.  CARS!  FALLING DOWN!  MY SKIRT BLOWING UP!  BREAKING MY MACBOOK IN MY INEVITABLE DEATH SPILL!

Still, I agreed, sure that I could handle it.  I mean, I’d have someone else riding with me, a safe path, and a relatively short ride.  What could go wrong?

Well, boss did not show up.  He had a morning commitment I didn’t hear about, and after I waited for a few minutes, I realized that if I wanted to make it on time-ish, I had to leave IMMEDIATELY.  I despise lateness, and even though my new job is cool, I really don’t want to be that New Girl Who Is Late.  It definitely added some drama to the trip: how fast could I pedal?  WOULD I MAKE IT?  (Spoiler alert: I did.)

So, first and foremost: I didn’t really have a route.  Sure, I had some vague directions, but I’m kind of anal retentive (understatement of the year).  I spent much of my ride mentally wringing my hands, trying to figure out where I should cut across town and such.  A word to the wise: do not bike down streets without bike lanes.  I never paid attention before, but suffice it to say, I will now.

I found the little path I’d been told about and made it over.  But then things got dicey.  I had to ride BACK to the other side, and while I’d heard there was a back way that would place me squarely in the parking lot of my office, I didn’t find it.  Instead?  ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

Thankfully, I maneuvered onto the sidewalk…where a rather portly man in a suit decided it’d be funny to stand in my way, moving back and forth so I couldn’t stop without hitting him WHILE GUFFAWING AND MAKING HAND MOTIONS.  I uttered a phrase I cannot blog (HI MOM) and he turned around and left me alone.  I was not amused.

Still—I MADE IT.  I made it alive.  After consulting with a few other bikers in my office, I think I’ve found a better route, one that is quicker and most importantly, safer.

Despite being kinda scary, I have to admit that riding to work was nice.  I get some cardio outta the way, and it was much more amusing than a half an hour on the elliptical.  I felt sort of brave, conquering a fear, and Sacramento really is a lovely city.  I’m not polluting the air.  Plus, my bike is freaking adorable, and it’s fun to use my gift.

Sometimes, scary things end up being really good for us, right?

You can bet your bippy I’ll be taking two wheels to work again tomorrow.

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My lovely friend Nora often lists her “confessions” on her blog.  Today, I thought I’d do the same thing: share some silly things that I don’t normally share.  My one condition?  You MUST do the same in the comments.  Deal?  Deal.

My confessions:

• This video makes me cry, every single time.
• If anyone ever heard me and Andrew talk the way we do behind closed doors, I WOULD DIE.  We have this completely schmoopy secret language that we both claim to find ridiculous, yet use anyways.  I secretly love every minute of it…but still don’t want anyone hearing it.
• I screen all my phone calls, unless it’s work, my family or someone I know I want to talk to.  I know, I’m awful.
• I recently unsubscribed from upwards of 50 blogs.  It felt amazing.
• If I don’t go dancing every few months, I feel…trapped.  I’m not a great dancer, but man, I love a good booty shaking.
• Foursquare makes me RIDICULOUSLY ANGRY.  Please, for the love of god: do not check in and share with Twitter or Facebook.  I know you can keep it secret…for the 24 hours I used Fourquare, I did.  It annoys me like no other when people check in every little place and TWEET IT.  Sheesh.
• Sometimes, in the car, if I catch a minute of Christian radio and it’s on a hymn I know, I’ll sing along.  It reminds me of being a kid, and that makes me happy.  I still miss that part of my life sometimes.
• When I talk to someone who doesn’t “get” blogging and I mention something that a fellow blogger has done, or something I’ve read on a blog, I just say, “My friend…”  It’s easier.
• I don’t really do the bad boy thing, but there’s something about both John Mayer and Don Draper that just…speaks to me.
• I realize this is an oxymoron, but when I read tweets and blogs of people who are forever grumpy or upset, I just wonder why they bother sharing that.  I don’t need to read every little gripe.  I have enough of my own and I try not to poison Twitter with constant bitching.
• I was an English major, and I hate Shakespeare, Twain and have never read Dickens.  I KNOW.  I KNOW.
• If I find a food I enjoy at a restaurant, I eat it every time I go.  I like routine.
• I know I want kids, but the idea of being pregnant scares the living hell out of me.
• I am going to start riding my bike to work, and I’m deathly afraid that I’m going to be hit by a car.

Okay, your turn: tell me your confessions, please.

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This time of year always releases the worst kind of nostalgia in me.  School supplies have appeared, and for the first time since I was five years old, I don’t need them, because I will be neither student, nor teacher.  I’m not sad, per se, just perplexed by this shift.  Buying new school supplies, first for my backpack and then for my classroom, has been the way I’ve marked time for so many years.  It seems weird that this year, it just doesn’t matter.  I have no need for those things, and that feels strange.

Every year, when the college dorm stuff starts hitting the shelves, I feel this ache inside for all of the choices I didn’t make: the choice to go away to college, to have those transformative experiences I feel like everyone but me has had, to be 18 and carefree and still innocent.  I feel the weight of all the things I didn’t do on my shoulders.  I see the kids I used to babysit, now my Facebook friends, taking off to college or enjoying the summers between high school years, and I want to shake them by the shoulders and say, Don’t put it off.  Don’t hold back.  Don’t wait for anyone or anything—do everything your heart desires, right now, while you still can. I wonder about who I’d been had I dared take that advice, had I dared to leave all I know.  I wonder about the girl I would have been.

It’s not that I’m unhappy with my life, because these past few weeks have found me happier than I ever dared to think I’d be again.  I find my journals from earlier this year where I write about the things I have wanted so badly: to live in downtown Sacramento, to have some mini-adventures, to have a job where I can shine and feel happy and needed.  I look around my life and I realize that yes, it’s all happening, and I feel overwhelmed with the sheer joy that all that hard work, all that angst, all those fears have dissipated into something lovely and amazing.

Still, summer with all its memories of popsicles and playing outside and reading books and swimming, brings out a sort of sadness, not because of what is, but because of what I know is to come.  Maybe it’s because I know that fall marks the start of things dying off.  Leaves change and things shift and people go away and before you know it, winter with its unforgiving gray is here.  And while I love the cool mornings and the crisp apples and the simple joys of wearing sweaters and tights, I’m always anticipating those winter months.  Perhaps that’s my biggest problem of all: the fact that I’m always anticipating.

I envy the people who can just enjoy: the people who aren’t always stuck in the past or contemplating the future or waiting for the other shoe to drop.

This summer, instead of being nostalgic for all the choices I didn’t make, I want to hold fast to the choices I did make.  I want to anticipate, but not worry.  I want to plan, but not get wrapped up in the future.  I want to make popsicles and go swimming and enjoy all the good things happening right around me, before it’s time to add blankets to the bed and start carrying sweaters.  I want to be driven by nostalgia, not to feel sad, but to make sure I’m taking all those chances, so that next summer, instead of looking back on all I didn’t do, I can fall asleep tired by all the good things I’ve been up to all year long.

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One area in which I consider myself to be incredibly blessed is the friend department.  I have some girlfriends that I’ve known forever—as in they’ve seen my elementary school mullet, were probably forced to sit through my squaky clarinet concerts while seated on the floor of our elementary school cafeteria and are in birthday party photos of old.  I picked up a few friends along the way in high school, a few more in college and in various work situations.  And while I don’t have that sitcom-style group of friends where we all have our roles and scheduled cocktail nights, I do have friends who make me laugh, friends who will totally accept my psychotic rambling phone calls and my large circle of blog friends who email, g-chat and send snail mail across the miles.

Since I’m so lucky in friend-love, I thought I’d share a few of the awesome things my friends have done for me, things I do to try and show them love and other tips on how to be a truly exceptional friend:

1. Be there. Show up—in the literal and figurative sense.  If your friend joins roller derby, go to her bouts.  If she starts an Etsy shop, buy something (she won’t even notice it’s the cheapest thing if you’re on a budget—I promise!).  Take an active interest.  And if you can’t be there, still be there. Seriously, friends: it doesn’t take much.  Send an email or a text.  Leave a voicemail.  Facebook, if you absolutely have to.  But don’t forget that even if you’re not there in person, your support matters.  In the age of adulthood, where jobs and significant others and partners and other commitments take time over girls nights and dinner dates, it’s easy to lose touch.  Be the catalyst for keeping in touch.
2. Listen. I think it’s a sad fact that during conversations, most of us are just waiting for our turn to talk.  Be willing to listen fully.  I have a few friends who are exceptional listeners, and I think it’s one of the most admirable qualities in a person.
3. Be positive. I am sure that my friends are laughing their heads off that I’d give this advice, but seriously, be positive.  I so appreciate the friends I have who aren’t overly-annoying rays of sunshine, but who are simply positive.  If I have an idea, they cheer me on.  They don’t bash our other friends.  Even if I know the salad they ordered is disgusting, they don’t complain too much.  I like being around people who add joy to my life—and I’m trying harder to be one of them.
4. Don’t keep score—but don’t hold on. I struggle with both of these things.  By don’t keep score, I mean, don’t worry so much about who sent the last text or arranged the last brunch date.  If you want to hang out, make effort.  Don’t get caught up in the petty score-keeping of who called who last.  Sometimes, I’ll delay contacting friends only to hear, “I thought you didn’t want to hang out with me!”  Don’t wait to make effort.  On the other hand, no one likes a smotherer.  In fact, if I get too many calls/emails/texts/wall posts, it’s unlikely that I’ll respond and want to hang out.  We all get busy, go through funks or need space—if a friend you love seems to be pulling away, let them have their space.  It’ll all shake out in the end.
5. Appreciate them. I’m a big fan of sending cards to deliver those little sentiments: the “I love you” the “You make my life better” and the sincere “Thank you for being a friend” type thoughts.  If writing isn’t your thing, yelling it across the dance floor while groovin’ to Ke$ha will do, but nothing beats a sincere love-fest once in awhile.
6. Be inclusive. I so appreciate people who don’t mind me bringing Andrew, another friend I think would mesh well or a co-worker along for festivities.  It’s a good feeling to know that anyone will be made to feel welcome.  While I crave one-on-one time with some friends on a regular basis, for larger group events, I like to know that everyone is always invited.
7. Reach out. During one of the hardest times in my life, I spent many a night on my couch with a big ol’ bowl of Lucky Charms, crying my eyes out to Extreme Home Makeover.  After a few weeks of this, I was surprised to hear a knock at my door, and opened my door to see my friend on my stoop, holding a bottle of wine, brownies and a copy of Zoolander.  That night was the first of many that pulled me out of a funk—and I loved her for doing it.  Pay attention and reach out in unexpected ways.

I’m definitely not a perfect friend, but I’m thankful to have many friends who come pretty darn close.

How do you show love to your friends?  What makes a good friend in your eyes?

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I’m not sure if I’m the only person like this, but I guard my weekends.  I place a lot of emphasis on being able to relax, to laze about, to do nothing and watch bad TV.  I get itchy when I see my calendar filling up, because I worry that come Monday, I won’t feel relaxed enough to face the week ahead.

This weekend, I took the opposite approach, and while I still had a lot of downtime, I was a busy bee.

On Friday night, we hosted our housewarming party, which was absolutely lovely.  There were snacks galore and plenty of drinks, and so many of our friends and family in one room.  It was lovely.  Parties like that tend to be a bit overwhelming, because it’s so hard to talk to everyone, but I think most people enjoyed themselves.  I looked around at one point and felt so grateful that we have so many friends and loved ones in our life.

Saturday was full of downtime, which is just what I needed.  I spent time reading, and finally finished The Help which was just as amazing as so many people had said.  I loved it, and couldn’t put it down at some points!  I also finished Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food, which was also awesome.  I also ventured out to buy some new notebooks from Urban Outfitters.  I’m a picky person when it comes to paper products, and Urban really has the best notebooks.  Sadly, they also win the award for most annoying staff and hipster clientele, and I felt ancient because after 10 minutes, I wanted to off myself.  But I got my notebooks, darn it!  Kyla and I caught up a bit via G-chat, and I signed up for the lovely Leigh Ann of Freckled Nest’s Home Ec class, something I’m super excited about—sewing sounds so fun, plus with any luck, I’ll be able to cross of Life List Item #71—sew something I can wear!  On Saturday night, I introduced Andrew to one of my favorite restaurants ever, Zelda’s pizza.  It definitely did not disappoint and we enjoyed the delicious Chicago-style pies.

Sunday morning was for sleeping in, doing a little bit of work and cleaning the apartment.  The afternoon was perhaps the best part of the whole weekend.  Andrew and I rode our bikes to a local bar, L Wine Lounge, where we had glasses of wine (sparkling Chenin Blanc for me, and a flight of reds for Andrew) and unlimited pizzetas.  Pizzeta are small, flatbread pizza, and on Sundays at L Wine Lounge, you get unlimited pizzeta for $12. These are no ordinary pizzas: we have one topped with half meatballs and corn and the other half potato and green olive, and the next featured caramelized peppers  and goat cheese.  For dessert, we were treated to one with strawberries, chantilly cream and powdered sugar.  We somehow managed to ride our bikes home without toppling over from all the yumminess.  When we arrived home, we decided a dip in the pool sounded perfect and spent time in our apartment complex pool, literally steps from the door.

All in all, a picture perfect weekend.  Maybe because it was the first weekend since March when I haven’t been fretting about my job situation.  Maybe it was because it was the perfect blend of loved ones, down time, mini-adventures in our neighborhood and sunshine.  Maybe because I didn’t fritter the hours away doing nothing.

All I know is that I will be looking for many more weekends just like this one, because it was good for my heart and soul.

Tell me, what did YOU do this weekend?

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No, your eyes do not deceive you, and no, that image isn’t an accident.

You see, last weekend, I had the pleasure of hosting a party at my house, mostly to show of my Wii and its awesome ability to stream Netflix, no DVDs required.  It’s pretty amazing.

When planning the party, I’d envisioned us watching something classic and awesome, like “When Harry Met Sally” or maybe “Now And Then” for a bit of a throwback.  But, once I showed my friends all of the options available with movies, something caught our eye.

Spice World.

Growing up, I was quite a fan of the Spice Girls.  And by fan, I mean that I definitely sent them a fan letter to praise their GIRL POWER message.  And yeah, I was at least 12 years old.  Shut up.  I don’t know that I’d ever seen Spice World, and now that I have, I still couldn’t tell you the plot or the point, if there was one, but man, singing the old songs at laughing at terrible 90′s fashion was a pretty fun way to spend an evening.  Big thanks to Netflix for having one of our childhood classics right at our fingertips.

Besides watching Spice World, we indulged in some pizza and salad from a local pizza place, and watched some Zach Galifainakis stand up.

It was an amazing night with some of my favorite people and I had a spectacular time!

Sadly, few of you could be here, but fear not!  I’ve got a giveaway for you!  Leave a comment  to win a 2,000 point Nintendo card, that you can use to buy games for your Wii or DS, or give to your favorite kiddo who has one.  For an additional entry, tweet about the giveaway, and leave me a comment with a link to your tweet.

Contest open until July 26th at midnight CDT. Contest open only to residents of USA and Canada; winner will be posted on Monday July 26th and notified via email.

FTC Disclosure:

With the exception of the Netflix subscription, all food, drink, Nintendo Points Cards and a Flip Video Camera were supplied to me by Brand About Town. The opinions in this blog, however, are my own; I was not paid or otherwise compensated to provide a reveiw of the products or party, because really, who’s gonna pay me to watch Spice World?

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But, still, life always manages to humble you in some small, ridiculous way, just when you’re feeling amazing, right?

Yesterday, I met Steph and Leslie for an early dinner, and I had to park in a place where you must pay.  Now, I love downtown, but let me tell you, the city of Sacramento takes it’s parking RULL SERIOUSLY so I was a little skittish about making sure I’d paid enough, etc.  I could see the little parking police person coming up the street as I was paying, so I was getting a little nervous.

First and foremost, paying for parking took forever.  That stupid machine held my card, and authorized for literally two minutes.  I mean, look, I’m not rich, but seriously, it was $1.25.  Does it really take three minutes to make sure I have A DOLLAR AND TWENTY FIVE CENTS in my account?  Anyways, as I’m waiting and paying and praying to GOODNESS that the damn machine gives me my card ASAP so I can run back over to my car and stick my little sticker on my window.  Finally, victory is mine and my card is in my hand and I run back to my car.

Now, the parking sticker is a little bit of a tricky bugger.  Basically, you get a receipt that you have to attach to your window using a little sticker that you peel off.  It must be attached to your window with said sticker.  I am sorry if you live in a city where you do this daily, but I’m trying to give you a visual, okay?

Anyways, there I am, on 16th street, in the middle of traffic and general busyness, and the parking person was hauling towards me so I am scurrying as fast as my little short legs can take me.  I arrive at my car while he’s still a car or two behind, thinking I have plenty of time.

And then the breeze blows that parking pass right out of my hands.  Under my car, almost into traffic.  At first, I can’t see where the thing went and I look all around me, before spotting it fully under my car, stuck near my tire, on the traffic side.

I fully realize that above, I eschewed $1.25 as a significant amount of money, but I was NOT about to lose my $1.25.  Nor was I about to get a parking ticket.  So, I do what any self-respecting cheapo would do.

I marched around my car, stuck my butt in the air, towards oncoming traffic, and got that sticker.  I mean, yes, it was dangerous and no, I’m not really all about showcasing my behind to groups of people, but I did what I had to do.

I’m sure the parking man, who I didn’t see was literally ON TOP OF ME, enjoyed the show.  As did ALL of the oncoming cars.  A few even showed their, uh, appreciation with a honk.

But hey, I didn’t get a parking ticket, right?

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