Cali travel

Santa Barbara delivers.  I had little doubt that I would have a lovely weekend in the city.  Thankfully, my travel companion, also, enjoyed my choices in food, beverage and decision to walk everywhere.  

He arrived before I did and figured out the bus schedule.  Instead of taking an uber into town, we paid $3.50 for the two of us to travel into the city.  Forty-five minutes later, and we were off.  State St. was busy on Saturday!  Lots of people checking out the eateries and shopping.  We found a spot that offered wine and snacks before heading to check in to the hotel.  There was a public hall that Tom was interested in as well.  Conveniently, it was located a couple blocks from the hotel.  Great natural light and ample space to explore.  I had a glass of wine.  

Afterwards, we checked into the hotel.  A boutique spot that hosted happy hour, daily.  I am a fan of that.  In addition, they had a continental breakfast if we were so inclined.  That lacked in my opinion.  They did have coffee, available, early in the mornings.  I had had my eye on a lebanese restaurant. I found that they had a sister restaurant that was more casual and so we walked towards that location.  Unfortunately, they were only open for takeout which was not listed on their website.  Instead of choosing that option, we returned to the initial decision of checking out Zaytoon.  Busy restaurant.  Thankfully, they were able to get us in after a 30 minute wait.  We stopped by another spot for a glass of wine while we waited.  It was cute, authentic and had we had more time, it would have been explored.  

Dinner that night included lentil soup and a trio kebab with hummus, baba ghanoosh and garlic dip.  It was tasty.  The cocktails were spot on and the atmosphere was lovely.  We returned to the hotel room to conclude our first night.  Sunday morning, we opted to walk to the pier.  Beautiful day to be on the beach.  Of course, the majority of those restaurants are tourist driven.  Shrimp cocktail, clam chowder (sort of a must since we were in California) and french fries.  Fun little combination.  Walking back up State St, we stopped at a winery so that I could purchase a gift for my friends who were getting married before checking out guacamole at Carlito's.  It was fine.  Under seasoned, but I saw the attraction and understood how it was appealing to most people.  

We were able to check out quite a bit of food and drink.  The wedding was gorgeous.  My friends chose a beautiful venue to celebrate their love.  Unbelievably beautiful spot.  We had dinner, cocktails and danced.  

Monday, we returned to the beach so we could walk in the sand.  I wanted to feel the sensation of the cool sand and water.  Lovely.  We found a mezcal driven restaurant and checked out the halibut ceviche and guacamole.  The ceviche was delicious.  Guacamole, under seasoned.  I did like how they served salsa with chips and a black bean salsa.  Carlito's and Santos both did this. Nice addition to the chips.  Probably my favorite food of the trip was Monday.  We returned to Public House to explore the tacos at Corazon.  I ordered pastor and ensenada (battered fish).  I was thankful for my choices!

So, everything was going well.  Great food, easy travel and a very manageable trip.  We found our way back to the airport.  Tom had a connecting flight in Phoenix while I had a direct flight back to Denver.  My flight departed at 4 pm.  His was scheduled for 4:45.  Midday, he received a notice that the flight from Phoenix to Albuquerque was delayed.  

I made it home around 9 pm.  I needed to find take out and uber it back to central Denver.  Tom texted me around midnight that his flight had boarded.  I think nothing of it.  6 am, he texts to update me on his lack ok travel.  He was in Phoenix, overnight, since his flight canceled.  Then, he is told he could fly to ABQ, today, at 7:30 pm with a connection at LAX.  Sounds terrific, right?  He inquires about the likelihood of connecting in Denver.  Yes, that is an available option if he agrees to land in Santa Fe.  Of course, that is doable since he lives there.  However, he would still have to pick up his car.  I call this the Shari return flight of travel when she travels with me.  More than once, she has gotten stranded or had to make alternate arrangements.  Tom suggested that next time, we travel together.  Either he drives up here or I meet him in Santa Fe so we can both feel the pain of missed connections.

All, in all, great trip and I am very grateful to have done it.  Thankful to have met Rachel, years back at the Humboldt wine bar.  I randomly walked in and we struck up a conversation.  Four and a half years later, and I am attending their wedding.  It was a beautiful wedding and trip.  

Whirlwind

Productive view days...finding a car, having it checked out and purchasing.  It was sort of nuts.  As my emissions test was looming and need to update my tags, I knew that I needed to figure out a solution.  As much as I loved my Volvo wagon, Calliope (she was a sporty, boxy, safe vehicle), I was unwilling to purchase a new transmission.  The used cost of this part two years ago was $2300.  Even then, I wasn't inclined to have the repair done.  Fast forward to six months ago.  I am told that I would need a transmission and that the cost had increased to $4500.  A used transmission.  That is if they could find one.  Multiple mechanics told me that a used transmission might not be a great fix.  That transmission would have issues of its own; thereby, the fix could be minimal.  Pay $4500 for the part, not the labor included.  Then, the transmission could function for a month?  Two months?  Six months?  They suggested purchasing a Volvo transmission for the grand price of $7500.  Sounds like a great idea???

I finally called around to see what my options were as I saw my window of opportunity closing.  One of my mechanics said that they had nothing in stock.  While the other mechanic mentioned that he had recently refurbished a wagon and that it was available nearby.  I called the dealer and attempted to set up a viewing.

24 hours later, I had purchased the car and traded in Calliope.  I cannot believe that I did this.  It feels like a whirlwind.  One of the most positive outcomes of purchasing this car, is that I am able to drive down to Santa Fe instead of renting a car to drive down.  It has been a long ten months or relying on rental cars to make it from point A to point B.  I loved that car and would have driven it into the ground.  (Essentially, I did.  I just ran out of time and started to freak out about not being able to find a replacement).  

Tomorrow, I will head to Santa Barbara to celebrate a client/friend's wedding.  I am excited to celebrate with Rachel and Jeff.  And, it will be the first time in Santa Barbara in ten years.  A trip is overdue and I am ready to return to some sort of more normal travel routine.  It is a part of my life.  I love traveling.  I mentioned to Shari an opportunity to go to Mexico in January.  The more we discuss it, the more likely it is becoming.

It has been a productive week and month, overall.  There are a few administrative tasks that I must attend to in the next few weeks.  No more putting these things off.  The new laptop should help. 

I have noticed that writing things on my whiteboard is helping.  I can cross them off and see the win.

Happy October

New laptop. New opportunities to write and share.  Opportunity to vote--doesn't it feel great?  We all should do our part.  More than ever, your voice matters.  

After 2016, I did feel discouraged.  Then, I watched a senate run off in 2020 that determined control of the senate.  Your vote does matter.  

I received my mail in ballot yesterday.  And, I love it!  Living in Colorado where voting is made easy.  (as it should be.  People should not be making it challenging or difficult to cast a vote).  I urge you to take the time to vote.

Indian summer in Denver.  My absolute favorite time of year.  Warmer days and cooler nights.  Possibility to harvest the seeds you have planted.  Or consider how you can change your mindset to achieve goals.  I have been offering a yoga happy hour, monthly, which I hope to continue to offer.  I love it.  I love the idea of connecting people and building community.  As much as I love this, it is difficult, at times.  Injury, travel, other set backs which limit offering this unique class.  I spoke with a fellow entrepreneur and he made me doubt myself. Perhaps, not intentionally.  But, he did question some of my decisions. Suggested that I attend a yoga class to see what others are offering.

That was laughable.  I have been practicing yoga since 2001.  Not that I don't appreciate attending classes and seeing what is out there.  Yet, for what I am offering, it isn't about yoga.  I want to differentiate myself from other classes by incorporating movement and time to build community.  This includes light appetizers and wine. I am not going to learn how to market myself by attending a yoga class.

And, there are variables that are out of my control.  I have to marinate in this decision to seek an unconventional path.  But, when have I not been unconventional? That is something else that this person does not recognize or acknowledge.

He did give me a few valid things to ponder and consider.  Maybe I should offer another donation based class, weekly?  Or, perhaps, I could offer a yoga session at my apartment?  I am unwilling to give up.  I want to make this work.  Things I have been avoiding (website), it's time to face and do.  I have the foundation built.  Only lack the desire to follow through.

I hope you are enjoying your October and making it the best it can possibly be.  Cheers to you!

Some agreements

Be authentic with who you are and where you want to be.  It is easy to become complacent and okay with where things stand if you allow them to.  Or, you can choose to strive for more than a mediocre existence.  

I suppose I am waxing nostalgic as I am trying to decide which path I want to be on.  I know that I am dedicated to being an entrepreneur even when it feels that I am on an uphill battle.  Maybe not battle.  That seems too strong of a word.  It is challenging to continue on this path as it is lonely.  Sometimes, strangers seem more supportive than friends and family.  And, as much as people are supportive and excited for my ideas, events remain inconsistent and small.  I feel that I am doing something unique and I love teaching.  I remind myself of that often.  There are tasks that I do not enjoy or even like.  I force myself to do them at the last possible moment. I still have some admin to attend to from June.  I must get better about those tasks.  

In other areas, I am improving and continuing to learn.  I like creating graphics.  At first, they were intimidating.  It took me forever to compose a newsletter or flier and I was terrified of deleting all of the content.  Terrified.  I would focus only on that task and refused to multi-task or stream shows in the background.  

Now, I feel comfortable and not afraid of starting over.  I think following other people or familiarizing myself with brands that looked popping, helped inspire me to have clean branding.  I stopped by the happy hour yoga spot and thanked them, again, for their attention to detail.  I appreciate their branding and know that it has helped me on my own journey.  I want my fliers to make sense and supply all of the relevant information that I am trying to get across.

There was a reason that I wanted to embark on this.  I know that I can do it.  Keep it moving forward.  Any interaction can be an opportunity to learn and benefit.  That has been the lesson of the last few months.  And, how important it is to be consistent.  That has been a cornerstone of my teachings since I embarked on this.  This path that continues to shine, engage and be unconventional.  That is my why.  Remain on the unconventional path.  I want to prove it is achievable.

Reflections

Waking up today and choosing my mindset.  I have been attempting to commit to me being my own boss for the last two years.  Parts of it are fantastic.  More flexibility (in my mind that is.  In reality, there are tasks daily that I must attend to.  The only person who makes me accountable is me.  I struggle to remember that at times.  Instead of completing the admin, I will meet friends for wine lunch.  Postino is a delightful distraction, lol). I have been fortunate. The majority of my clients have been word of mouth.  I am very blessed in that department.

Yet, in order to expand and build, I am trying to do more to attract clients.  I have collaborated with others.  Contributed to silent item auctions by offering my services for an individual or group session.  I have tried to offer more group sessions at the park.  It truly is about being consistent, reliable, authentic and have faith.  

Collaborating with others is interesting.  As much as we all think we have the same outcome in mind, we have different roads of achieving it.  I do enjoy creating graphics and am learning to be more comfortable with social media.  I prefer everyone delivering the same message or at least staying true to the name of the event.  All things to remember when choosing to collaborate.  Shari suggested having a business journal to jot these ideas down.  I have a ledger, a journal, an idea journal and will incorporate this new journal to remember. It is all a work in progress.  

I keep returning to the four agreements.  As much as I expect others to behave in the same manner that I do, it is naive.  I feel that if I say I am going to do something, I do it.  Expecting others to be that was leads to disappointment as I am reminded when I choose to believe people will do what they say.  We all get hung up on what is best for us.

Choosing the mindset is essential.  I am seeing that more.  I have been listening to podcasts about frequency and radiating from a higher level.  I cannot achieve that if I do not push myself to elevate.  Decide to achieve more and surround myself with others who feel the same way.  I can feel people's energies radiating from them.  I know that sounds odd but it is true.  I have a friend who currently is projecting a more desperate energy, trying to attain clients and projecting on me.  It is stifling and unattractive.

Ir reminds me to have faith and believe in myself.  In that realm, it all returns to mindset.  Choosing to wake up and believe my day will be great.  And being more accountable for my choices.  I think planning out my day the night before will aid in me in productivity.  I need something to force me to be accountable and on track.  I do not want to enter the zone of desperation.  

I will continue to reflect, build and have faith.  Cheers!

Tasks and upcoming hopes

Last night, I took a night off from drinking.  In addition, I completed my meal three and a half hours before I went to bed.  I keep reading how this is beneficial to allowing your digestive organs to rest while you are sleeping as opposed to continuing to work.  Maybe there is some truth in that.

Moreover, I listened to brainwave meditation while I slept.  That helped.  It helped me turn off my brain and sleep.  I cannot tell you how many times, I have woken up multiple times because I cannot stop thinking.  All of the anxieties, fears, doubts.  It can be overwhelming.  Lately, it seems that I only think of things that could go wrong.  Inherently, I know that I am ok and will continue to be fine.  I think it is my subconscious trying to persuade me to return to the service industry.  I have attempted it in the past and always failed to break completely away.  It is too comfortable to return to the flexibility.  

Another cooler day in Denver.  It feels awesome.  After about seven weeks of heat, I am ready for a reprieve.  My classes are spaced out throughout the day.  Instead of running errands, I am choosing to prep for classes this weekend, my upcoming newsletter. some creative outlets and then taking another day off from drinking.  My sleep is improving and I feel that I should take a detox break.  June and July were both larger than life months.  Trips to Santa Fe, Kansas and Washington State.  Friends visiting me a few times in Santa Fe.  Basically, a lot of celebrating and rich food.  I am all for that.  Yet, it catches up with me.  I need to take breaks from rich food and drinking to feel normal in my diet.  

Shari and I spoke about the possibility of the half marathon in Paso Robles. We agreed we should delay it.  Neither of us has been running much (or at all).  Not to mention, she is adjusting to RV life and being more nomadic.  Running is not in her regime as of yet.  Plus, I will be in California a few times in the next six months.  A wedding in October then celebrating Brian's anniversary in Palm Springs in February.  I have another wedding in Wichita Falls in March.  I think I am making up for not traveling much after March 2020.  What a dire few years.  Flying last weekend reminded me how much I enjoy traveling, experiencing new cities and meeting new people.  I love Denver and the life I have here.  Yet, I have been missing that component of creativity and experiencing new foods.  I would have been so disappointed in myself if I had chosen to skip Jean's 60th birthday celebration.  Not only did it motivate more travel but I also was able to celebrate with one of my oldest friends.  There is no way that I would have been able to replicate that experience.  We are considering a trip to Hawaii or perhaps, San Miguel de Allende in 2023.  We shall see.

I have missed making time to write.  I write letters and journal sometimes.  I need to make more of an effort to fulfill that need.  

Returning from my mini break

Leaning into the life that you want....starting to make space for it.  I love that I am listening to a podcast today, perusing pinterest for yoga marketing ideas and contemplating my next moves.  I cannot believe that I was blogging, frequently, and making progress with it to completely drop it.  Why?

Today, I will make an effort to return to the structure of blogging daily.  I enjoy it.  Maybe I have been floundering a little bit.  It is challenging to stay the course when money seems stagnant.  Or, maybe not stagnant but ever changing.  Clients vacation, have illness, loss in the family, injury and changing schedules.  I believe I will be fine.  Actually, I know this.  However, as schedules continue to change, I sometimes question if I am on the right path.

It is true that the WHY is the most important thing to determine when you choose to do your own thing.  Of course, it is always easier to return to your comfort zone.  I could easily return to the restaurant industry tomorrow, full time.  Yet, it is not what I want to be doing.  I want to be working for myself, sharing my love of yoga and meeting new people.  I have always been a connector but I want to elevate that.  I truly want to connect people who would never meet in any other circumstance without attending a yoga class. I am sure I could explain it in another way.  I like that I attract an eclectic mix of people who meet and make connections.  There.  That sounds better.

What is next?  There are so many resources out there to figure out how to continue on this path.  I have arranged a pop up in Denver and Santa Fe, monthly.  It is gaining momentum and it feels great.  It takes planning, effort and consistency.  I must stay committed to the discipline of what I need to be doing.  Reading more.  Teaching.  Blogging.  Creating content and continuing to learn.  Be authentic and genuine.  I know these things but I still go slow with what I am doing.  I must think bigger.

I have hesitated to handle my website.  I have a free website being designed.  The hesitation is the content that I want on it.  It is all on me.  I will stop being stagnant.  

Sorry this is a little of a rant.  I need a creative outlet and have forgotten how much I enjoy blogging.  My summer has been wonderful.  Many trips to Santa Fe.  Lunches at La Choza, pop up park yoga, meeting new people.  Building my business and planting seeds.  

Thank you for enabling me to vent and be a little nonsensical.  I am going to lean into the life that I want.  It is time.