New routines = barely any posts. Although, most of my usual blogs I read seem to have gone dormant since early spring, so I’m not alone. Good sign that everyone is off enjoying life.
1. I just cleaned out my work inbox. It’s been driving me crazy - keep remembering little things I never responded to. Clean inbox = piece of mind. Of course I cheated, so I’m only part way there, but that’s further than I was before. It did take me getting up at 6 am and working on it remotely from home this morning.
2. I finally hit 400 on LinkedIn! I thought I was a little lower but just checked today. Only 100 to go and I’ve hit my goal from last year.
3. Last night I rebalanced my 401k from what it was automatically enrolled in. Took some figuring out and I have no clue with these things but feel much better my money is doing better than it was before. Next up - going back to my other accounts and making sure they are in the right place financially. And then on to helping any family members ;)
4. And while we're on the subject of retirement, am I the only one that worries about retirement? For some reason it’s come up in conversation the last couple of weeks with friends. And it seems like people are barely putting away money for retirement. I keep being suprised that some people aren't putting anything away and they're in their 30s! It’s crazy and makes me even more nervous. Being in academics and out of the workforce for a chunk of prime investing years in my 20s, I feel like I’m still playing catch up, especially as compound interest is best when used young. So I’m attempting to max out my options - 25% into the 401k and buying an IRA. Granted my spending money is tight especially with the student loans but I forgo some of the expensive luxuries and opt for splurging on less expensive things (i.e. no more cable, but still have a Netflix subscription). The biggest decision is using public transportation over driving. I’d save over 500 hours a year (1.5-2 hours per day) if I drove, but it would cost me over $3k extra in parking and gas. And this way I get a lot of reading done! The thing that bugs me is people say that can’t afford it but you look at their lifestyle and you just see them creating a really lousy lifestyle later so they can enjoy a good lifestyle now. But each to their own. Hopefully it all works out in the end. End rant.
5. I've been riding my bike to work recently. Well at least to the subway station. It's been really nice and it's so much faster than taking the bus until you factor in the time to change and everything else. I've tried it both ways - riding in work clothes and riding in clothes I change out of. Still haven't quite figured that part out. But I can tell you having a nice new functioning bike makes a world of difference. It's so pleasent.
6. Heat wave is coming. So probably a hiatus on the bike riding for a few days. I survived the last few but certainly felt it. This past week or so I’ve been feeling really good. Part of which I attribute to a good night’s sleep. So I’ve requested the AC unit be put in this week. I will still use the fans mostly, but when it gets really bad…. you’ll find me in front of the AC with Ben and Jerry.
7. Summer guilty pleasure = Big Brother. I can’t explain why, but I love watching the Big Brother shows. So pleasent suprise when I stumbled upon this seasons (the downfalls of not watching live TV - you loose track of what's about to air). And this season is great - they've got a bunch of folks from past seasons. So it's boiled down to the newbies vs. the veterans voting wise. Which I have to say parallels remarkably close to the Federalists and the Republicans that I'm reading about right now around the very contested 1800 election (Adams vs. Jefferson). The maneuvering, positioning, behind closed doors antics are strangely similar. I'll be reading my book (American Afire) on my way home and then switch over to watching the latest episode of BB and it's like it's the same genre.
8. Weekend outside = tons of sleep. Last weekend I spent the day up in Ipswich visiting with friends - Noah was house sitting and Andrea and some other folks that were new to me made it up for a visit. It was a fun day of eating, chilling, lounging, visiting the beach and tons of sun. Then Sunday I made my way to see Cam and Maggie - babysitting and playing outside in the morning and then to the beach in the afternoon. Way more sun than I’m used to and I slept like crazy after. No sunburns!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Memory Lane
I've been having some trouble getting a new post up. Something's up with my account. But I did find an old post that was in draft form and never made it up. It was right before I started back at work and recapped my too brief time off of work. Check out this Old post.
Finally got the DC post up that was from my visit last June. This one has pictures! Here's another shortcut to read this old post too.
Finally got the DC post up that was from my visit last June. This one has pictures! Here's another shortcut to read this old post too.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Stanley
Not being a sports person doesn’t mean that I still can’t enjoy the morning after glow of a championship. As I was walking into work this morning there was a general good buzz in the air, everyone walked lighter and the sun was out and shining. I got to thinking. I haven’t lived in Boston long, but since I’ve moved here, we’ve won the Super Bowl, there’s been two World Series wins and I think two World Champions and now the Stanley Cup. How cool is that?
Monday, June 13, 2011
DC Visit
Maple Cotton Candy
I did it again. Not anything really post worthy other then I need to remind myself of what it feels like the morning after. I had one last bag of maple cotton candy left over from last weekend. Last night, I get home after a delayed flight, excited to just collapse but very hungry since I had lunch that consisted of snacks (i.e. not enough). Cooked up a salmon burger real quick which hit the spot. And as I'm relaxing on the couch watching a movie my eye catches the last bag of cotton candy up on top of the bookcase. It's deflated so now's the time to start eating it before it goes bad (it doesn't really go bad, just gets denser and denser). And next thing I know the whole bag is gone. At least I had a decent dinner this time but even so, this morning I wake up and feel hung over. I think it's a sugar high that I'm still working off of. That or I'm still exhausted from traveling and visiting and not able to properly recharge the batteries. Anyways, the smartest. Will I ever learn? I've definitely put the purchase of the cotton candy machine on hold.
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Tuesday Night Leftovers
Another random post. I’m exhausted so find bullet points lend themselves to my preferred way of communicating. If only I could go around work spouting off bullet point conversations.
- Works going well but has reached the point of there is just way too much to do and I’ve already paired everything down to the stuff that needs to get done and parked the rest, although I’m itching to start on that stuff too. At least I’m getting the lay of the land so am able to make decisions better. Getting there.
- Last night I had the best dinner (at the time) and the worst dinner (at 3 am). It was just one meal - maple cotton candy that I had picked up from the fair up in VT this weekend. I hadn’t meant to eat it before dinner but then I thought, “hey, I’m an adult, if I want to eat dessert first and then dinner, that’s my prerogative”. Unfortunately I stopped at dessert, so come the middle of the night I woke up starving but too tired to fix a meal. Resulting in not such a great night’s sleep last night. Lesson learned? Probably not - maple syrup is my Achilles heel.
- I made it up to the 10th annual Strolling of the Heifers in VT last weekend. It was a ton of fun since I had a bunch of friends join me and sleep over. Dawn and Bill and Ashley had made it up for the day early this year when we were touring the maple bushes, so they had been introduced to my family. We had a blast enjoying the parade and the fair and playing cards all afternoon and cooking and eating and talking about food. Fun for all. Of course there are pictures but not on my camera.
- I’ve been trying to take photos with my camera and it’s just old. I got it back when I was in grad school - almost 10 years ago. I need to shop around for a new one. Do you ever have a day where there is nothing to wear? I just can’t seem to put anything together, but know I have. I figured I’d start photographing some of my better combinations, but they’re coming out crummy. Another thing to put on the list. That, or go back to the iphone - I seemed to take more pics with that camera.
- I’m off to DC for work. Excited to go down and visit that office and have been able to arrange it so that I can meet up with some friends. I think I have a half dozen or so people I know but chose to not over extend myself. I’m visiting a friend I missed when they were up visiting last month and my old college friend Joanne who just had her daughter last month. Should be fun. If only the flight wasn’t so early in the morning!
- So the crush turned into something and then veered quickly into left field. I just don’t get guys. They’re such an enigma sometimes. The funny thing is he’s where I was a year ago so good to see how I’ve progressed. Another good guy friend to add to the list. So, I just erased something specific about him - figure I should keep it vague as you never know who reads these things. Cryptic note to myself - the three Ws. Let’s see if I remember what this means a year from now.
- And finally, I have to share a voicemail message I received this weekend. It was from the parents of my god-son. Apparently the car game I taught Cameron last month when we were coming back from Maine stuck. They’re on the road and he’s making them duck at every overpass they go under. Don’t you love when you can influence young minds?
- Works going well but has reached the point of there is just way too much to do and I’ve already paired everything down to the stuff that needs to get done and parked the rest, although I’m itching to start on that stuff too. At least I’m getting the lay of the land so am able to make decisions better. Getting there.
- Last night I had the best dinner (at the time) and the worst dinner (at 3 am). It was just one meal - maple cotton candy that I had picked up from the fair up in VT this weekend. I hadn’t meant to eat it before dinner but then I thought, “hey, I’m an adult, if I want to eat dessert first and then dinner, that’s my prerogative”. Unfortunately I stopped at dessert, so come the middle of the night I woke up starving but too tired to fix a meal. Resulting in not such a great night’s sleep last night. Lesson learned? Probably not - maple syrup is my Achilles heel.
- I made it up to the 10th annual Strolling of the Heifers in VT last weekend. It was a ton of fun since I had a bunch of friends join me and sleep over. Dawn and Bill and Ashley had made it up for the day early this year when we were touring the maple bushes, so they had been introduced to my family. We had a blast enjoying the parade and the fair and playing cards all afternoon and cooking and eating and talking about food. Fun for all. Of course there are pictures but not on my camera.
- I’ve been trying to take photos with my camera and it’s just old. I got it back when I was in grad school - almost 10 years ago. I need to shop around for a new one. Do you ever have a day where there is nothing to wear? I just can’t seem to put anything together, but know I have. I figured I’d start photographing some of my better combinations, but they’re coming out crummy. Another thing to put on the list. That, or go back to the iphone - I seemed to take more pics with that camera.
- I’m off to DC for work. Excited to go down and visit that office and have been able to arrange it so that I can meet up with some friends. I think I have a half dozen or so people I know but chose to not over extend myself. I’m visiting a friend I missed when they were up visiting last month and my old college friend Joanne who just had her daughter last month. Should be fun. If only the flight wasn’t so early in the morning!
- So the crush turned into something and then veered quickly into left field. I just don’t get guys. They’re such an enigma sometimes. The funny thing is he’s where I was a year ago so good to see how I’ve progressed. Another good guy friend to add to the list. So, I just erased something specific about him - figure I should keep it vague as you never know who reads these things. Cryptic note to myself - the three Ws. Let’s see if I remember what this means a year from now.
- And finally, I have to share a voicemail message I received this weekend. It was from the parents of my god-son. Apparently the car game I taught Cameron last month when we were coming back from Maine stuck. They’re on the road and he’s making them duck at every overpass they go under. Don’t you love when you can influence young minds?
Monday, May 30, 2011
Friday Night Leftovers...
...on Monday. Following my friend Cece’s great approach to capturing random things, I figured I’d follow her lead:
- It’s too hot. I miss winter. It’s only May and it’s already hot and humid. I’m such a winter girl. I’ve never had a winter where I got sick of it. They always end too soon. Only 4 months to go.
- I have some dormant posts I need to put up about movies. I’ve discovered a bunch of new genres I love. The latest one is quirky teenage films based on classics. Think Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You, and the latest one I stumbled upon, Easy A. You like what you like.
- Why do holiday weekends go by so fast? If only we had them every week!
- I went on a shopping mecca to some stores south of Boston. It was ridiculous. Besides finding some awesome deals and spending my entire year’s budget in one day, it was humorous to see that the SUVs piled up on all the parking lot islands – every square inch was covered by cars.
- I drove from one side of the outlet mall to the other and after 10 minutes of looking for a spot, stumbled upon the secret employee parking lot. I ran to my store, bought the thing I put on hold and had them escort me out the back way where my car was parked feet away. I felt very VIPish.
- I’ve concluded my favorite line is Elie Tahari (not the Tahari line). Over half my work clothes are from that store.
- The pine tree I park under has been sneezing on my car. I had to go to a car wash and I’m trying to park as far away from the snot explosion tree. It’s like my car gets slimed – and then dries sticky. I’ve never seen anything like it before – and I’ve lived here for awhile.
- I’ve got a little crush on a boy I met recently. I have to say there is something about beards. This one has one. And so does that last two or three guys. Again, you like what you like.
- I’ve been putting off bring the boys into the vet. They’re getting old and I’m in denial.
- I’m excited about next weekend. It’s Strolling of the Heifers and a bunch of friends are coming up to enjoy the festivities. The all-time highlight in my mind – the real maple syrup cotton candy. It’s best fresh. Every year, I have a harder time preventing myself from buying a cotton candy machine. Just imagine. I’d be toothless within a year! Hello dentures!
- It’s too hot. I miss winter. It’s only May and it’s already hot and humid. I’m such a winter girl. I’ve never had a winter where I got sick of it. They always end too soon. Only 4 months to go.
- I have some dormant posts I need to put up about movies. I’ve discovered a bunch of new genres I love. The latest one is quirky teenage films based on classics. Think Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You, and the latest one I stumbled upon, Easy A. You like what you like.
- Why do holiday weekends go by so fast? If only we had them every week!
- I went on a shopping mecca to some stores south of Boston. It was ridiculous. Besides finding some awesome deals and spending my entire year’s budget in one day, it was humorous to see that the SUVs piled up on all the parking lot islands – every square inch was covered by cars.
- I drove from one side of the outlet mall to the other and after 10 minutes of looking for a spot, stumbled upon the secret employee parking lot. I ran to my store, bought the thing I put on hold and had them escort me out the back way where my car was parked feet away. I felt very VIPish.
- I’ve concluded my favorite line is Elie Tahari (not the Tahari line). Over half my work clothes are from that store.
- The pine tree I park under has been sneezing on my car. I had to go to a car wash and I’m trying to park as far away from the snot explosion tree. It’s like my car gets slimed – and then dries sticky. I’ve never seen anything like it before – and I’ve lived here for awhile.
- I’ve got a little crush on a boy I met recently. I have to say there is something about beards. This one has one. And so does that last two or three guys. Again, you like what you like.
- I’ve been putting off bring the boys into the vet. They’re getting old and I’m in denial.
- I’m excited about next weekend. It’s Strolling of the Heifers and a bunch of friends are coming up to enjoy the festivities. The all-time highlight in my mind – the real maple syrup cotton candy. It’s best fresh. Every year, I have a harder time preventing myself from buying a cotton candy machine. Just imagine. I’d be toothless within a year! Hello dentures!
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