Saving Lives

This morning at Boot Camp, our coach (Adam) was making conversation and said, "So what do you think Tiger Woods was doing at 2 o'clock in the morning?"

Someone immediately answered, "Fighting with his wife."

Adam laughed and said, "Yea, maybe. Or he could have been out saving someone. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt."

He was half kidding, but there was something so sincere about it. Like he genuinely would give anyone a chance that they might be doing something for good.

Refreshing, really.

Yay, technology!

Best surprise ever.

I was arguing with AT&T on the phone and staring at my bill online when I my Gchat started ringing and someone wanted to chat.

I assumed it was one of a handful of standard chatters and was going to give it a second while I finalized my argument with AT&T. Then I realized Gchat was singing a different song and it wanted me to VIDEO chat. I clicked over and OH MY GOODNESS, it was my friends in Ghana who are adopting a child right now.

When they left for Africa, I kind of assumed I wouldn't get to talk to them (via email or anything) until they returned. And THERE THEY WERE, on my computer screen; their cute faces and their new little boy!!

I forget how rad technology really is.

Its Fun To Be In Charge

We hosted the Beverly Hills Lighting Ceremony this weekend and I had a moment that is still lingering with me today. Sort of in the pit of my stomach, just stewing.

There were balloon artists.
There were insanely long lines.
And a woman with two 10 year old girls and a crazy-eyed rat woman.

As I came over to shut the line down so we could open the street back up for traffic, said woman started yelling at me about "older child discrimination" and that the balloon artist was partial to younger children and let them cut the line.

I wish I had recorded our interaction. She was one of the most entitled people I've ever met. She continued to throw a fit while I mustered up every ounce of Disney-trained customer service tricks I had left in my sleep-deprived, aching body. I offered her apologies and free trinkets as she gave me tips on how to better run a company and to LET Santa get mauled by children because "if you're going to volunteer to be Santa, you're gonna have to learn to take it." She made me write down my name and my boss's contact info so she could make sure "people like me get a talking to."

The two 10 year old girls were on the entitlement train as well. One of them pointed her finger at me while she cocked her head back and forth explaining that "she came to have a good time and it was ridiculous that the event was being run by inexperienced people." Her cohort crossed her arms, glared at me and vigorously tapped her foot.

I'm pretty sure I had steam coming out of my ears...but mostly I was in awe of these people. WHO ARE YOU?!

As I walked away in shock and frustration, a woman walked by with a child completely passed out in her arms. She came right up to me and said, "That was the best event I've ever been to in my entire life. You guys did such an amazing job. Seriously, just wonderful. Thank you so much."

That woman and her sleeping child saved the lives of two Beverly Hills women who could have gone home with black eyes and aching shins. And she completely made my night.

Whoa.

It doesn't feel as rewarding as I expected...but today, my friends, I paid the last installment on my student loan.

To celebrate, I decided to sit in the cold on Rodeo Drive with red wine in a to go cup.

That feels about right.

Number 2

I've had an interesting few days with work and the stress levels are relatively high.

However, today in a rush to get a new Porta-Potty rental, I just printed out all of the agreements and forms without looking at any titles.

When I went back to close the document, I realized the contract agreement is called:
Dookie Agreement.doc

UH-Mazing.

The F-L-A

Yea, yea...I talk about it all the time...but, oh, Florida.

We have a love/hate relationship just like me and LA. But I suppose that's what makes us a great couple.

The love part for Florida is the people. They're just so great. Whether they smother me with charm or they amaze me with quality people watching...I heart all of them.

And today it was Pam at Best Buy. She helped my brother and I through a hefty purchase and then gave us both high fives for a job well done.

The Sunshine Continues?

I still haven't decided exactly what I'm doing with this blog. But feels weird to leave it hanging in Internet Space. For now, I think I'll post when it feels right...but not on anyone's schedule but my own.

And today, people, needed to be documented.

I really think my heart might explode out of my chest. I've had the best birthday week EVER. As I mentioned before, it started with different hats and appropriately so, ended with a sombrero.

I can't wait to tell my kids about my 30th birthday.

"Well kids...I played in the mud, I drank too many beers, I had a secret admirer leave gifts on my doorstep, I got millions of sunflowers, people WROTE SONGS FOR ME, I danced on a stripper pole on a moving bus, I danced my ass off at a bar and I got to do it all with the people in my life who are ridiculously wonderful and amazing."

Top that.

They will. I know it.

Wearing Many Hats

I'm not sure there's any other way to spend a birthday weekend.

However, I have to admit that sometimes I have hat envy -- of moms, wives, business owners, artists -- but I'm okay trying on other ones for now. And, hey, they keep my head warm!

I would strongly suggest throwing in a bear hat or two amongst YOUR many hats whether its your birthday or not.

Also not pictured: cat ears, conductor hat and thinking cap.