Working Weekend

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I’m behind on like six projects. So, 90 percent of my weekend was spent researching and writing. I’m legitimately concerned I’m developing arthritis in my right hand from typing.

So, other than my kind friend Jenn, who offered me a brief reprieve for wine and human conversation on her porch on Saturday night, I spent most of my weekend with these two characters for company. Luckily, I happen to think they’re the best company.

(Sidenote: In case you were wondering about what’s going on with Pawley’s weird shaved neck, she had surgery a few weeks ago to remove a giant tumor on her trachea. She’s recovering nicely and actually looks much thinner without the huge lump of fat under her chin. It’s basically like I got my dog a neck lift. Rosie has requested a tummy tuck be next.)

Top Three TED Talks

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Today I’m going to TEDx Charlotte and I am EXCITED. This will be my fourth year going—I have a serious obsession with TED talks.  I often watch them in the morning as I prepare for the day. I listen to them in my car. I talk about them a lot. And I’ve forced my team at work to watch them in more than one meeting.

Anyway, in honor of one of my favorite annual days, I’ve put links to my three favorites. (I’m not including the Steve Jobs commencement speech at Stanford, which they have on their site as a talk. But seriously, if you haven’t watched that speech yet, what are you even doing?)

(1) “The happy secret to better work”is my all-time favorite. It’s hilarious, fast-moving, and has inspired me all 57 times I’ve watched it. It’s helped me to be more positive at work, more happy in life, and better at encouraging others. Sold yet?

 

(2) “Try something new for 30 days” is one that I reference all the time. There’s something about the idea that change isn’t as overwhelming as we make it—we can change so much in 30 days—that I love. This is a cool and inspiring talk, and it’s only 3 and a half minutes. Take the time and watch it.

 

(3) The reasons I like “The price of shame” are a little different. Monica Lewinsky gives this talk, and if you’re like me, you’ve spent at least a few moments of your life judging this woman. Her talk is on public shaming and the online culture of humiliation—something with which she’s all too familiar. It’s an incredible, honest talk, and reminds me of the power of kindness in all spaces.

 

 

Project Fireplace Fix

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It’s officially fireplace weather. And mine needs some work. “Fix the fireplace” has been a high-ranking number on the House To-Do list for several years and this fall it’s officially made it to the top. It’s a nice enough white brick fireplace, but it’s covered by a black metal firescreen that I’m assuming has been here about 70 years. And that screen is the only thing between my living room and the great outdoors. So, here’s what I want:

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Take away the screen, clean out the chimney, and install a damper in the chimney to block the flow of exterior air into my house.

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I’ve considered installing a gas fireplace like this because I like the ease of it. (Sidenote: There is something super decadent to me about being able to say “Oh, let me just flip on the fire.” Like, imagine if you could time travel and tell the pilgrims “Hey, one day this thing that you’re so focused on doing for your survival will be something it takes me 0.4 seconds to do as I stick my food in a thing called a microwave and watch a thing called a TV.” Modern life is crazy, you guys.)

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Anyway, I didn’t mean to get sidetracked by pilgrims (first time saying that sentence). My point is how gorgeous are these fireplaces? It’s time for me to call a chimney sweep (the internet tells me that’s a real job and not just a character in Mary Poppins) because I’m ready for some fireside time.

Five Favorites Right Now

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While I always prefer summer with its long, warm days, I do love the way fall invites you to indulge in ways you wouldn’t in other seasons. It makes me want to bake (and eat) things that smell like cinnamon and cuddle up under heavy blankets. Unfortunately, it’s frowned upon to just do that 24 hours a day. So here are some other things I’m doing these days to relax and soak in the season.

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This candle from Bath & Body Works is $22.50 and worth every ounce of dignity you lose walking into a store for teenage girls. I’ve searched all over for a candle that smells like the season, but doesn’t make my house smell like a Cracker Barrel. This is the best I’ve found.

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A few months ago I started re-watching The West Wing on Netflix because real life politics were bumming me out. I really can’t recommend this enough. I’m currently watching the final season, which is all on the campaign trail. I think that professionals would call what I’m doing “denial,” but it’s really working out well for my blood pressure.

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Speaking of my health, this baked penne with radicchio and Italian sausage casserole is in no way healthy. But on a chilly autumn night, it’s the ultimate cozy, comfort food. It’s a mix of spicy and sweet, with enough creaminess to make you want to lick the plate.

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And speaking of things that taste especially good on fall nights, I find this Leese Fitch Cabernet is best served under blankets in front of a fire with a dachshund in your lap. Oddly, the label doesn’t include this recommendation, but trust me, that’s the best way.

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Man, I love a good podcast. And this one about a decades-old kidnapping case has sucked me in from the first episode. It just wrapped up the nine-episode series, so you’re coming in at a perfect time if you’re like me and prefer to binge listen your podcasts.

 

 

Seattle Weekend

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I spent the weekend in Seattle soaking in autumn colors, a little rain, and plenty of hot coffee. It was a very Seattle-y Seattle weekend. We hit a few new spots on this trip, so I thought I’d share my top five favorites:

Shelter Lounge, Green Lake: This new restaurant is bright, airy, modern, looks over Green Lake, and has a fun menu. If you’re looking for a cool spot to grab a drink after a walk around the water, this is it.

45th Stop N Shop & Poke Bar: You have to be able to look past the discomfort of eating raw fish in a convenience store. Taken care of that? Good. Now, this place is amazing. It’s tiny (there are only about four seats total), but the poke rice bowls are loaded with good stuff and the staff is exceptionally friendly. Go just for the experience.

The Butcher’s Table: It’s not cheap. At all. But I suppose a place with something called “steak flights” isn’t really designed for budget dining. Honestly, if I had it to do over again, I’d just snag a seat at the bar, order a cocktail and the ridiculously decadent beef fat fries, and be perfectly happy. But if you’re looking for a sophisticated, special occasion dinner and hanging out with a serious carnivore, make reservations.

Smith Tower: This iconic tower was completed in 1914, and at the time it was one of the tallest in the world (and the tallest in the West). Today, at 38 stories it’s still pretty high. You can buy tickets to take you on a quick tour of its history complete with an authentic elevator ride to the top where you’ll find 360-degree views and a swanky bar. And I know this is like Seattle blasphemy, but honestly I’d suggest it over the Space Needle.

Nue: This Capitol Hill hole-in-the-wall restaurant was so perfectly quirky. You dine at communal tables while listening to international rap music. The menu is a global fusion of basically all street foods. My appetizer was Latin American, entree was South African/Indian, and dessert was Mexican Street Corn ice cream. I loved it, but consider this a stop for your more adventurous eater friends.

 

Loamy soil and lumpy bread

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Last night I got to have dinner with two old friends in LA. We drank wine and shared funny stories and quickly tried to catch up on each other’s lives. I love that modern travel makes it possible to do this occasionally with people who live on the other side of the country. 

It was a Thursday night in a busy, tiring week for all of us. He’d been on a shoot for work all day. She’d been working in Chicago earlier in the week. Which made me all the more grateful that they came and lingered over crusty bread and salty charcuterie. 

I’ve been reading a book called Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist, and it’s a lot about prioritizing times like last night. I forget to do that sometimes. Sometimes the things that should be the most meaningful end up being things I do to check an imaginary box. Here’s a passage I read this morning that I especially loved:

“If perfect is plastic, present is rich, loamy soil. It’s fresh bread, lumpy and warm. It’s real and tactile and something you can hold with both hands, something rich and warm.”

My 4 AM wake-up call for my flight this morning felt a little extra hard. But totally worth it for last night’s loamy soil and lumpy bread.

Rappers and Cheese

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Today is Day 3 of our Design Thinking process here in California. Basically, the idea behind this process is that we’re supposed to be extremely innovative, extremely fast—and ultimately prototype new products.

Mentally, it’s exhausting. And it’s seriously all over the place. I actually interviewed one guy who told me that he believed that Tupac and Biggie Smalls were resurrected and even stronger now in the afterlife because of the embalming fluid shot into their veins. The rest of the team keeps dismissing that interview as worthless, but I definitely found it to be the most enlightening.

Anyway, while it’s been totally draining, it’s also been a ton of fun. The people I’m working with are all crazy smart and creative. We’ve gotten to be out some in the ridiculously nice Southern California weather. And, most importantly, they’ve fed us exceedingly well (see cheese photo). Next week in the office, when no one feeding me cheese and educating me about the after lives of dead rappers, life is going to feel a little boring.

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I’ve had Rosie for almost 11 years. That’s 77 in dog years. The average human life expectancy in the U.S. is 78. So, basically I’ve had Rosie for a lifetime. (This is how I do math.)

When I’m away from home—as I am this week—I don’t miss much. I freaking love to travel. But I really miss this chubby little dachshund. I have another dog, Pawley, who I adore. But Pawley is a dog’s dog. (Some days it feels like she’s basically a feral coyote that I’ve tried to domesticate.) Rosie is a different story. She prefers her sleep to be in fresh sheets, her dinners to be spaghetti, and her baths to be lavender scented.

So when I leave I always miss her. But I’ve long thought that the best part about travel is coming home to a place you love. And Rosie always makes me extra happy to come home.

California Dreaming

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This week for work I’m in Calabasas, California. If you’ve heard of it, it’s likely that you keep up with the Kardashians—because every single person I’ve told I was going here has said, “Oh, where the Kardashians live.” Or, my personal favorite, “That’s Kardashian Kountry.”

The work I’m doing here couldn’t have less to do with Kim and her crew (krew?). But for the next few days I’ll be part of Design Thinking sessions that include interviewing random people on the street. The population of Calabasas is less than 25k. I think my odds of my “man on the street” having the last name Kardashian are pretty high, right? Here’s hoping.