CELEBRATIONS AND PODCASTS

Happy Thursday!  What a beautiful day.  And, it is my nephew's birthday.  He is six today!  I saw him on a zoom call, last night, and tried to tell him happy birthday.  He was having no part of it.  He is such a stinker.

Life is grand, right?  I suppose it is what we make of it.  It can be inspiring.  Challenging.  Hard.  It truly is how you start that your day that determines how you will feel or what you may encounter.  

I have been listening to more podcasts lately.  Some political, some manifestation, inspiring and recently, Ear Hustle.  I have heard about this podcast in the past.  I think I wrote it down, somewhere.  There are so many podcasts out there.  I could go down the rabbit hole of the Daily, Vox, This American Life.  I know there are episodes that I should avoid as they will trigger the rabbit hole.  Still, I have been listening to more of the political podcasts to assess how we are at this current spot.  I have enjoyed watching some of the debates between candidates.  Watching how they react to the questions and trying to stay on message in spite of the others trying to force them into a spontaneous reaction.  You can tell a lot of prep work went into it to eliminate that chance.  They seem robotic.

I hope that you vote and that you aren't turned off by the proposed apathy.  There are several reasons to feel that way.  However, it is your right to have your voice heard.  

Tom is visiting me tomorrow and I am thankful.  At first, I wanted to venture down to Santa Fe.  Test out the new Volvo and see how Freya does on the drive down.  Then, I remembered it was his turn to explore Denver.  I see H Mart and a few other asian markets on the horizon.  Possibly a stroll down Federal or Alameda to discover more of the ethnic foods.  The other night, Brie and I met for a quick supper.  Instead of heading to Cherry Creek or downtown, we opted for a Thai spot near my house.  Even with a bottle of wine, it was still affordable.  I appreciated that we enjoyed fantastic food and wine and didn't break the bank.

There I go--speaking in limiting beliefs.  I am trying to retrain my subconscious mind to eliminate the negativity and limiting thoughts.  There are ample resources.  I know this and it helps me when I struggle to find the way forward.  Sometimes, working for yourself is not all that.  Most times.  It is challenging to not obsess on the why's or how to's.   Sometimes, you must believe it and allow it to happen.

I will celebrate this weekend with Tom.  I like showing him more of Denver.  Perhaps find some time for yoga, too.

Cheers to the 27th!  Celebrate, enjoy and taste life~

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!