Hello blogosphere. About two years ago, I found myself in a place of constant activity. I would like to say it was such important work that putting my blog on hold was more for humanitarian reasons than simply for lack of time and eventually, inspiration. But no, the truth is that I could no longer find the quiet that once allowed my voice to come forward and be heard. Time has now passed and I am compelled to try to find the words within and allow them their space on the proverbial page. Who knows? Perhaps picking up the blog again will lead to picking up the great American novel once again.

And so it begins...again.

Mediocrity

One of my favorite bloggers posted “the four horsemen of mediocrity”. He called them deniability, helplessness, contempt and fear. Seth Godin is a brilliant marketing guy so he penned the horsemen from a business perspective which was perfect. But as I printed them to keep for my own continued reference, one thought immediately came to mind – these “horsemen” are not just about business, quite often actually, one finds them when faced with a breakup. You’re in this seemingly relationship, happy and probably thinking “future”. Suddenly, and perhaps out of nowhere, you breakup. You, my friend, are now in that twelve-step program or seven stages thing or in this case facing the four horsemen.

 

Denial. "I did everything I could to make the relationship work." You blame them. They decided it was over. They created the problem between you. They commanded the breakup. It wasn’t my fault. From there one moves to helplessness: they just won’t listen. They won’t let me make them understand how good I am for them. It's a sense of loss and little understanding. Eventually, one moves to contempt - for the other person and even for love itself. They weren’t good enough for me; I wont settle. Is there really someone out there that deserves all I have to give? It’s a mixture really of contempt and self-pity, which let’s face it, leads one directly into fear. Fear of putting oneself back out there; fear of being in love and hurt all over again; fear of being alone.

Now I know what you’re thinking – what does this really have to do with mediocrity? Everything. Truth is, when you face a breakup, whether you believe it or not, it is ultimately for the best. You weren’t meant to be together and there are always telltale signs. Our problem is that we deny them. We know they are there but feel helpless to do anything about them. We have contempt for them and honestly fear them. Just like the horsemen we face once the breakup happens, they are present in the dysfunction that is the mediocre relationship. So you see, it isn’t just that they translate to business; they translate to life and relationships. For who among us hasn’t lay awake at night trying helplessly to deny the contempt we feel for the other person and fear of breaking up. Who among us hasn't tried to figure out the best way to survive in a mediocre relationship? 

Referenced Blog: Seth Godin - "the four horsemen of mediocrity"

The Lion and The Mouse

There is an African folktale about a mouse who pulls a thorn from the lion's paw. The moral of the story is twofold: first, that it takes courage to face a creature that can ultimately destroy you; and, that even the smallest and weakest can be of great use to the greater and stronger.  

I often wonder if the lions of the world ever take stock in this story.  They wander through life exercising their power, throwing their weight around as if they are invincible.  Do they realize that a tiny, seemingly insignificant thing could easily bring them to their knees? No, they are too narcissistic to comprehend that their reign is limited and when they are afflicted with the equivalent of a thorn, they had better hope that a courageous and compassionate little mouse is around to help. 

Go Green

This week is Green Week.  Everywhere you look these days, we are being told to "Go Green."  It's really not as difficult as you would think and the benefits to our planet are big.  Think about it like this - the more we reuse, recycle and repurpose, the more we will be able to renew our resources and our planet for future generations.  Even if you don't have kids, this is a good thing.   

Here's a few simple things you can do to "Go Green":

1. Get a reusable water bottle.  Plastic bottles, even though they are recyclable, are still wasteful.  Get a cool water bottle, fill and refill it over and over again.
2. Bring your own bags.  When you go to the grocery store or pharmacy, bring your bags!  They are inexpensive, hold more than either paper or plastic and are good for the environment.  Keep them in your car - they store flat so there's no excuse.
3. Change your light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs.  They've come a long way and really do use less energy. 
4. Unplug your electronics when not in use.  Put your TV, DVD player and cable/satellite box on a power strip and turn it off when you aren't using them.  You'd be surprised how much energy you save.
5. Try planning all of your errands and do them on the same day.  You'll save a little gas and send less emissions into the atmosphere.
6. Use your dishwasher.  Believe it or not, washing dishes by hand uses and wastes more water than running your dishwasher.  Save your hands while you save the planet.
7. Turn off lights when you leave a room.  No one likes a dark house, but lighting up your house like a Christmas tree is ridiculous.  You only need lights in the room you are actually using.  Get into the habit: leave the room - turn off the light.
8. Recycle, recycle, recycle.  Check your county website for the dos and don'ts of recycling in your area.  Most counties are accepting more and more for recycling.  Request separate bins if you have the space to store them to make it easier for your household and the recycling centers.

Remember, it's our planet and we need to take care of it!  Future generations will thank you.  Happy Earth Day!

Dating in a Digital World

I came across this great blog post from DC Ladies about dating in a digital world and given my current status, thought it was funny and definitely worth sharing.  Enjoy!

Dating in a Digital World

photo credit: digital frontier surf dot com

To quote Drew Barrymore’s character in He’s Just Not That Into You, “Now you just have to go around to checking all these different portals just to get rejected by seven different technologies. It's exhausting.” When I first saw that film, I identified with Drew’s character. Dating in this constantly connected world is more complicated than it should be (or at least than I think it should be). I focused so much on how easy it is for things to go wrong in this era of facebook, twitter, myspace, online dating, smartphones, etc., that I never stopped to think about what I would do if something actually went right.

After roughly six weeks of witty text message banter, entertaining phone calls, and enjoyable dates, my new beau and I decided that we are dating exclusively. Ok, so what now?

In the old days (pre-facebook), I never really thought about what makes a new boyfriend “official.” What does that even mean? Either you date someone exclusively, or you don’t. Now, however, there is a moment when you take that leap and change the facebook relationship status. I have not been so nervous since I had to ask a boy to accompany me to my first formal dance at my all-girls high school. What if he didn’t want to change his status? Is there some greater meaning to that decision? Or is he just not that into having his personal life displayed in a public forum? The answer to all of these questions is that it really does not matter.

I’m beginning to realize that while social networking has become a part of my life almost as much as e-mail, it is important to keep some parts of my life private. Here are some simple guidelines I’ve come up with that might be helpful to other young ladies who are bridging that gap between student and real person:

1) Keep your professional contacts and social contacts separate. Especially in DC where professional networking happens in many social situations, it is easy to let the two circles merge. However, I doubt that my former boss who is my facebook friend wants to see a status update about how romantic it was to spend a day looking at the cherry blossoms with my new boyfriend.

2) Less is always more. If you clog your facebook and twitter with updates, you become the girl who cried wolf. Was that really the best date ever? Does the world even need to know if it was?

3) Relationships deserve some privacy. I’m not just talking about dating here. I’m also talking about friendships and relationships with relatives. If I want to ask my roommate from college how her new job is going, she deserves an actual phone call, not a post on a facebook wall.

~Ms. R

The Tax Man Cometh

Just in case you were asleep at the wheel, yesterday was tax day.  This was the first time ever I was responsible for filing my own taxes and I have to admit, the thought was a little daunting.  For those of you who got yours forms, took out the pen and calculator, filled out the paperwork and filed yourself - kudos.  I on the other hand went the Turbo Tax route and found it to be easy and relatively painless. 

What I liked about Turbo Tax was the step-by-step instruction.  It definitely walked you through the whole process and tried everything it could to get you a refund.  The graphics actually made the process pleasant and about as simple as you could imagine.  Every possible deduction was explored and with a little information gathering before I actually started the process like having last year's tax return available and any donation receipts to deduct - it made the process that much smoother.

Now, I am not knocking some of those other tax prep services, but for the money, you cant beat Turbo Tax.  And when all was said and done, I was able to schedule the payment on the date I chose and had it come directly from my bank account.  Go technology.

So, now I've crossed another milestone of sorts.  I have filled out and filed my own taxes.  I guess now I can honestly say, I am an adult.  Well, at least Uncle Sam thinks so.  Go me.
 
Enjoy your post tax day.

Happy Holidays!

Thanks to all of my loyal readers!  I may not be a Julie Powell (I don't think I will ever Master the Art of French Cooking!) but I gave it a go and hope you had as much fun reading it as I did writing it!
Next year is another chance to find more crazy stuff to write about!  Please send me your comments and any suggestions for topics!

Wishing all of you in the blogosphere the Happiest of Holidays!
Peace...

(Look for new posts in 2010....)

Painless Turkey Pick Up

Thanksgiving was last week and while I didn't post about anything turkey related I thought I would make one observation about "turkey pick up" that struck me as interesting and made me smile.

I went up north to Maryland to spend Turkey Day with my sister, niece and mom.  My sister of course had the whole Thanksgiving thing in hand including menus, table arrangements and of course, the timing of everything - including the turkey pick up.  Tuesday before was the first grocery store run, but the real marathon began around 7:30 a.m. (coffee anyone?) Wednesday morning.  We hit the Giant, the liquor store and actually, had to go to another Giant for items forgotten.  All I can say is - what complete chaos!  The parking lots were a mess and I could only imagine what the afternoon rush would be like.  So,  by the time we had to pick up the turkey from Whole Foods, I was less than enthusiastic about experiencing yet another grocery store parking lot nightmare!  I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
We drive down River Road and got into the left hand turn lane to turn into the parking lot.  I look and there's a policeman directing traffic into the lot.  This struck me as odd.  Suddenly, I see three, no four other police officers in the parking lot directing people to parking spaces!  This place was running like a well-oiled machine!  No crazy road rage, no cursing patrons.  Everyone followed directions, waiting their turn and had a parking space within minutes.  I was astounded.  When I asked my sister, she nonchalantly remarked that this was common place for the day before Thanksgiving/Turkey pick up.  Apparently, the good people of this area had deemed it necessary for their well-being to have the police force run the parking lot situation the day before Thanksgiving.  Kudos to them I say.  It was perhaps the smoothest grocery store outing during a major holiday I have ever experienced and truth be told - I enjoyed the entire thing! 

The Mixing Bowl Won't Change His Habit - And Maybe That's A Good Thing

What makes some us such staunch creatures of habit?  Is it something in our natures that makes us unable to adapt to new situations and often to more efficient ones?  Case and point - Exhibit A. I have a friend (don't you just love these stories?) who got divorced about a year and a half ago.  The split was somewhat amicable in that they really split much of their belongings pretty equally.  In terms of kitchen items, however, he inexplicable gave her most.  In that last few months, I have noticed several what I would call necessary kitchen items that he doesn't have and could use.  One of these "items" is a mixing bowl.  The funny thing is that my friend is a brownie junkie.  In fact, he makes brownies about once a week and uses (wait for it), has used for about 2 years now, a rectangular tupperware container as a mixing bowl.  I suppose it is rather resourceful when you consider what the heck else would you use if you owned not a mixing bowl.  Well, being the conscientious friend that I am, I bought him a mixing bowl.  Now the kicker - he made brownies the other day and did not use the mixing bowl.  Actually, he stated quite matter of factly, "I didn't even even realize I had a mixing bowl."  Needless to say, my eye roll was less then subtle.  When I pointed out that I had purchased said mixing bowl and that he had to move it out of the way to get to the rectangular tupperware, all he said was "humph", as if he was completely baffled by how the mixing bowl ever got into his house let alone his cabinet.  Now I ask the general public - is it me or is this about being a creature of habit?
Truth be told, we all have our little idiosyncrasies, our little habits that no matter how hard others try to change them or fix them, they are ours, belong to us, and truly make us the unique individuals that we are.  So while it is true that buying the mixing bowl for him was my way of helping and showing him I care, to him, it was just a bowl and in no way a replacement for the rectangular tupperware that made his favorite comfort food.  To him, the habit of making the brownies starts with the unorthodox mixing tupperware - not a mixing bowl.  And of course, it is this resourcefulness, this kookiness that I love about my friend.  It is what makes him unique.  It is what makes him, well, him.  And that's better even than his brownies.

Computers - You Can't Understand or Live Without Them

"I HATE TECHNOLOGY!" This was what the frantic and angry voice on the phone said to me the other morning.  Well, I think it was more of a desperate SOS and a declaration of defeat from a friend who was ready to throw her computer out the window.  It seems that her less than reliable computer (sorry to say, she is a PC) had decided of its own accord to disregard the fact that it was at least as far as it was concerned, supposed to be connected to the Internet.  I believe her exact words were, "this expletive computer says it's connecting but I can't get on!  What the blank!"  She of course had tried to reboot the computer.  She had tried freeing up space on her hard drive.  She had even unloaded and reloaded the possibly offending computer program.  To no avail.  The computer insisted it was connected and she could still not retrieve email.  Ugh!  Finally she broke down and called tech support.  Three days, several hours and of course about $100 dollars later - computer problem solved.  Naturally it had to do with "something" technical (no one ever really knows what that something is) that just didn't actually connect properly on her computer.  Huh?  What kind of answer is that?  Apparently the kind you pay the all-knowing computer geek for!  (Please - computer geeks of the world, no offense!)
Now, I consider myself fairly computer savvy.  Actually, I think it is my love of puzzles and somewhat linear thinking that makes me a good "computer problem fixer".  That, my seemingly infinite patience with everything technical and my tenacity to solve problems.  However, I have to admit being rattled to the brink of lunacy on the odd occasion when everything on the computer insisted it was connecting to the internet and yet, I could not surf, check email or quite frankly do any of the day-to-day things we now rely on the computer for.  I wonder what in the world did we do before these wonderous machines?  How did we get that instant information fix?  The simple answer is we didn't.  The better answer is it didn't matter.  In truth we have become a society completely and totally dependent on machines - especially the personal computer.  Forget Big Brother.  Say hello to your little buddy.  Oh, and please stop threatening to throw it out the window - you know you'll just go out and buy another.

Neighbors And Dog Business Don't Always Mix

Neighbors.  It's a weird relationship.  For most of us, it's just the people who live next door or across the street.  There's a usual cordiality - you know, hello and goodbye, the occasional how are you but let's face it, who's really interested?  It's a common courtesy thing.  But how about when your seemingly polite neighbors act less than polite?  Case and point.  We have a puppy.  The puppy goes outside several times a day to do her business.  Sometimes her business is well, solid business.  In most cases, like when it's not in our own yard and not down by the pond, we pick it up and dispose of it properly.  I think in the time we've had the puppy, about 5 months now, we've been remiss maybe once or twice.  My neighbor seems to disagree.
About a week ago, my neighbor stopped my daughter, presented her with some plastic bags and asked her to please pick up after our dog.  My daughter, being the polite girl that she is, apologized and assured her that indeed we do and definitely will.  I'll stop here to comment on the fact that this woman saw me that very morning and said nothing to be about the dog.  In fact, I see her almost daily, we exchange the usual pleasantries and she has never, not once, said a word about the dog or her business being in her yard.
Okay, so here's the issue.  A couple of days ago while she was mowing her yard, I noticed that she stopped, contemplated, picked something up, walked to the front of the yard (I lost sight of her here) and then came back and continued her yard work.  I thought it was odd behavior but dismissed it as just that.  Imagine my surprise when later that afternoon as I went to pick up my mail and lo and behold there was an interesting deposit so to speak right near my mailbox.  No way!  My neighbor must have come across it while mowing, picked it up and put it in my yard to make some kind of passive-aggressive point!  Eww!  First of all, how gross. Second of all, it wasn't my dog's.  Third of all, who in the world picks up poop and puts it on someone else's lawn?  Disgusting!  When I told my kids, they cracked up!  Their "solutions", I have to admit, were priceless.  My son wanted to deposit the package on her doorstep and set it on fire.  My daughter just thought it should be scooped - by a shovel or some other tool, definitely not by hand! - and flung back in her yard.  I on the other hand wanted to take my puppy over and let her leave a present in the neighbor's yard.  Needless to say, out of a sense of neighborhood harmony, I did nothing.  This time.  Next time, I hope she's got a shovel.

Internet News Equals Solitary Reading

I've been reading with a great deal of interest how newspapers - the black and white, ink on your hands kind of newspapers - seem to be losing readership.  With the expansion of the internet, we have become a society of on-line readers as opposed to the once paper-in-hand readers we once were.  As a child, I always remember my parents reading front page to back page and everything in between of the Los Angeles Times.  It was an important way to start the day - get your daily coffee and get your daily news fix.  When I worked in Washington D.C., the newspapers lay lined up daily in the conference room for all to read and similar to a water cooler gathering place, everyone eventually went in to read something and inevitably met up with a coworker, talk about issues, talk about their day or simply talk. 
Today, while many sit at the computer getting their daily news fix, it just doesn't seem the same as sitting with someone and reading the paper.  Getting your daily news is now a solitary business.  It's become a more isolated exercise and has lost the somewhat social aspect to it.  When was the last time you sat with your significant other and read the internet together?   Or sat in a conference room with coworkers and laptops perusing the daily news?  No doubt that getting your news by internet is definitely a more private activity.  It is the way of the future.  As more and more content becomes available on-line, the very real fact is that the days of print media are sadly numbered and the days of people sharing news as a social activity along with it.  Unfortunately this proves once again that the more we move forward, the more we move within ourselves.

Dating Rules Over Forty?

The strange thing about dating when you're over forty is that basically you don't "date".  At least not in the traditional sense.  Can you imagine two people over forty doing the whole look across the room...eyes meet...possible chemistry...awkward stammer as you try to figure out what to say to each other?  Should we go out?  Lunch, drinks, dinner?   I'm reminded of Sleepless in Seattle when poor Tom Hanks admits that the last time he asked someone out on a date, Jimmy Carter was in office.  How do you date when you simply haven't in nearly twenty years?  What are the dating rules for people over forty?

Over forty and dating should have a rulebook, a guide, a manual or something.  My first thought as I found myself back to dating was, no way am I going to start dating.  I had visions of dates: meeting men, trying to figure out what to wear, having to listen to them drone on about who knows what, what to say in return, what not to say and so on.  Oh the dreaded date.  And no one had any good advice or good answers.  Even my over forty friends who were dating didn't quite know what they were doing!

Now I was one of the lucky ones.  Or, maybe I was just at the right place at the right time.  No, I was actually set-up.  Successfully set-up and have been dating the same person for a little over a year.  It's odd though, you're with someone for what seems like a lifetime; then you go your separate ways and you think, I'll never meet someone.  Out of the blue, you do meet someone and you go on a date.  And maybe you date for a while.  And you wonder - honestly, you wonder about everything.  And it's not like when you're in your twenties because the things that are in your life at forty are so very different than in your twenties or thirties.  It's a strange thing to "date" when you're in your forties. Whether you're a man or a woman, forty and dating is just a whole other ball game.  Yes, I am fortunate to have found and be dating only one person.  Still, when you're over forty and dating, it's always interesting.  Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City said it best about dating when you're over forty, "Men in their forties are like the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle: tricky, complicated and you're never really sure you got the right answer."  Amen.

H1N1 and a Two and a Three

H1N1 and a Two and a Three  

I found this post on Daily Candy - NYC Edition this morning quite amusing - especially since I had all of the symptoms of the dreaded oinky flu just last week but thankfully, did not actually have the darn thing! The post's subtitle is A Vaccination Playlist but will these songs make you seriously think about getting the vaccine? Weigh the pros and cons before you make your decision.  Either way, you've got to admit, it's a clever way to make you think about it.  Stay well!

The temperature’s changing (and then changing back and changing again). Perfect conditions for your new invisible enemy, Mr. Swine Flu. Here are a few little ditties to give you the emotional fortitude to withstand his piggy strengths. And to encourage you to go get that shot.

“Fever,” by La Lupe
(Everybody’s got that fever.)

“103,” by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
(Yes. A fever of a hundred and three.)

“On a Train,” by Francis and the Lights
(Who knows what’s down in that subway?)

“Crazy in Love,” by Antony & the Johnsons
(We heard it will make you go crazy. Not necessarily crazy in love.)

“Nitetime Rainbows,” by A Sunny Day in Glasgow
(And we heard it will make you hallucinate. There are no rainbows at night, silly!)

“Who Are You,” by The Who
(The WHO — um, the World Health Organization — has chimed in on the subject.)

“Mom,” by Earth, Wind & Fire
(And you know what your mother thinks.)

“The Afterlife,” by Yacht
(Save it for later.)

story courtesy of DailyCandy.com NYC Edition

The Flu Fog

I am just re-emerging into the land of the living after nearly a week of flu fog.  Yes, I caught the dreaded bug - luckily not the barnyard variety but still, it was bad enough to confine me to bed for nearly five days.  Five days of flu fog.  Five days of absolute misery.
Now, I am the most germaphobic person on earth.  Seriously.  Like I should have bought stock in Purell or something antibacterial the way I stay germ free.  Still I managed to end up with this thing!  Ugh!  So, a word of advice to those of you out there, and I am so sorry for you, that will become afflicted with this thing in the next few months.  The minute, no, the second you feel something - scratchy throat, sniffles, aches anything - take the airborne, take vitamin C, take echinacea whatever just take something.  Take care of yourself!  Head the warning signs, the "I really don't feel great" signs.  And if you still end up bedridden, run (well, try) don't walk to the doctor and get the Rx.  Tamiflu.  Oh thank goodness for it.  I felt better in about 36 hours.  And trust me, it was welcome relief.  Still, I needed a bit more time to fully recoup and actually as of this posting, I am still half in bed, half on the couch.  Several friends have commiserated with me by Facebook - they too have the flu fog.  Oh the agony!  So beware the dreaded flu fog.  You'll need more than a horn to find your way back.

Change is Good But Not For Hair

What is it about change that dares us to do something and then more often than not we regret it?  This sounds like a huge philosophical question fit for countless hours of discussion, but actually, and don't judge my shallowness, I am merely talking about hair.  My hair actually.  After I can't even remember how many years of long tresses, I decided to go a bit...short.  Yes, the signature locks have been shed for a shorter version of, well, something.  I would plead insanity, or victim of a hair dressers bad day, but actually, I asked for it.  Last week, with photos in hand, I requested to have about 3 1/2 inches lopped off.  Doesn't sound like much but in hair measurements, it's a scary amount!  Within seconds of the new do, I panicked.  What had I done?

My hair has always been one of those bane-of-my-existence type things.  I have to say that I really have beautiful hair and yet it's a total love-hate relationship.  Usually it's about the time that I have it cut or try out a new style that I think, wow, I really loved my hair the way it was before, and I really hate it this way!  I know some of you out there are nodding in wholehearted agreement.  Bless you.  But what is it about hair?  You can do so much with it and yet, let's be honest, so little.  It can be colored, streaked and highlighted; cut, trimmed or shaved.  You can layer it, bob it, feather it; wear it in a pony tail, a chignon, braid it, "bump it", beehive it; curl it or straighten it.  Really the possibilities are endless and yet, so many of us truly hate our hair and can't do much with it. 

So here I am with a much shorter hairdo than I would like and not quite the look as the picture promised.  I am regretting my rash decision for change and the "chop it off" directions I gave.  My attempt to look chic, stylish and sophisticated didn't really translate and instead I have barely shoulder length hair that I can't even figure out which way to blow dry!  Ugh!  It reminds me of something my dad always said, "the difference between a good hair cut and a bad one is about two weeks."  Hopefully he's right.  If not, I guess look for me - I'll be the one wearing a hat.

photo courtesy of Amy King's blog Amy King's Alias

Packing for New York Intervention Anyone?

I'm headed out of town for a few days to New York before the back to school reality seriously hits. I have 6 days to pack for - occasions ranging from sightseeing to a Broadway show and meeting up with friends and family somewhere in between. It's mid-August so you know it's bound to get a little hot and definitely humid. There will be walking. Why is it impossible to pack for this? I stare at my vast array of wardrobe options in my very organized walk-in closet (my girlfriends think I am secretly a psychopath because of its anally retentive neatness.) I am at a complete loss. Why is it that the moment we are confronted with a seemingly simple task, we find ourselves completely paralyzed?

Let's face it, I have the closet full of clothes and nothing to wear syndrome. I need an intervention. So I take baby steps. Walking shorts - do they even call them that anymore, no, now I think they are clam diggers - because I can see myself someday definitely worried that I am wearing appropriate garb to dig for clams. Move on. Okay, maybe a couple pair of regular shorts? Not too short mind you I am a 40 year old but I still I can pull them off, so yeah, okay shorts. Sundresses - definitely - easy to wear, not much to worry about except the "girls" trying to escape - I can handle that. Next. Tops - absolutely short sleeved but not too much arm (I haven't been doing those bicep curls lately, yeah right) and I want to look stylish (it is after all NYC) so no t-shirts or tank tops. Okay, we're getting somewhere. Dresses for dinner - good grief what in the world even fits? LBD (little black dress) - simple, elegant says confidence. Done. Shoes. I need an entire suitcase for those! Get a grip! Practice some self-control I say to myself (did I mention that I have been chatting to myself this entire time? I pack several but don't go overboard - sandals, flip flops, evening - okay done. The suitcase is still manageable and not full. I start thinking that maybe I can shop while I'm there. Focus! I still need toiletries and underthings, gym clothes (because you know I am going to work-out every day that I am there!), pocketbooks for day and night, jewelry and other accessories - the suitcase is now nearly full - and what else?

I stop there figuring I must have everything and probably plenty I don't really need. I have to sit on the suitcase to zipper it closed - actually, I wait for my daughter to help and the scary thing? I bet I only wear half of what I've packed and end up buying stuff there. But hey, isn't that what you're supposed to do when you go to New York?

I'm headed out for six days to the city that never sleeps - no blogs 'til 8/21/09...