productive Sunday

Yay!  Found a massage therapist, finally!  After struggling through several mediocre massages, I have a gifted therapist. 
Ironic, too.  As I waited in the office I chatted up the receptionist.  She's a student at ASU and friendly.  I wanted to know her insight into some of their therapists.  We discussed who she felt was great after I told her that I had been having difficulty finding the "one" for me.  I noted some of the previous visits and how I did not enjoy trigger release therapy.  I think I made some comment that I could be dead and still not feel anything.  Granted, later in the day, I do feel the effects of the trigger release.  While in the massage, it does nothing for me.  Having someone use one hand to apply pressure to one area for 2-3 minutes is not a massage in my opinion.
I digress.  I was frustrated that I had not found a therapist that I would be excited to return too.  I am a member of this studio and so I have one massage per month until I cancel the membership.  I was almost to that point, too.  Why pay for a massage that is mediocre?  I believe in body maintenance and the benefits of a monthly massage.  I want a therapist that I like.
Today, I found him.  His focus is on injury and sports massage.   Immediately, I sensed that I had found my massage therapist.  He reminded me of Sean, my old therapist in Denver.  Sean was a runner and so he understood some of my aches/pains.  Brandon is similar.  After the massage he diagnosed some of my problem areas.  I have tenderness in my right ankle that he felt. I go, yea, I sort of forgot to mention my recent sprained ankle. 
I am so thankful to have found Brandon.  I will return to the studio knowing that my massage will be stellar.  Afterwards, I tackled my car.  Not only did it need a visit to the car wash, but an interior cleaning as well.  I found some leather cleaner in my trunk that I believe Brian had purchased.  He loved my car and took care of her.  He would be so disappointed in the current state of Veronica.  Polished and vacummed.  What an improvement.  Must remember to do more than once every six years. 
Moreover, while attempting to clean up the appearance of my car, I remembered how my dad would wash and wax his vehicles on Sundays.  What a process.  I think it would take up most of the afternoon.  He would beam with pride after he finished washing his car. 
Lovely day to be productive.  I started the day, late, and thought I need to fix this.  My run got pushed to tomorrow and so I opted to be active in other ways.  My to-do list is dwindling.  I suppose I can find other tasks to accomplish and cross off.
Enjoy your night~

significant day

10/27/2011--officially the end of birthday month.  Bummer!  Then, I consider, did I do enough celebrating?  No.  I spent a big chunk of change on Veronica which decreased my desire to travel or eat.  Actually, that isn't true.  I was out of town for four days, entertained Shari for four days and used public transport in the meantime. 
This birthday was stellar.  Of course, I always try to extend it.  Next year, I will manage to create more celebrating/less stressing over vehicle.  I attained a two year plate so I won't have to deal with dmv until 2013.  Even then, I think my car will be an antique.  No more testing--thankfully!  Must hold out til then.
October 27th also brings about memories of travel.  This was my departure date.  The night I spent in Los Angeles watching the Rockies get schlacked in the world series.  Ugly game.  I remember (vividly), wishing they would turn the tv off so I wouldn't watch the blood bath.  Talk about rolling over...
Regardless, I left what I felt was my normal life with a travel pack, day pack, rain coat and desire to see the world.  That trip inspired this blog, me, my past, present and future.  What a day to embark on a new adventure! 
A fond memory and beautiful experience.  I was funny.  I still believe that.  I had a lot to work with.  Meeting fellow travelers, locals, foods, porta potties, customs, traditions, you name it, I felt it.  Lovely day and memory.

Outside my hostel in Voli Voli, Fiji. A couple days into the trip, but, can you say beautiful?  Man, do I miss Fiji.  Stunning country inspite of the lousy indian meal I experienced on tour. 

necessary tasks

Today, I had the opportunity to help someone put together a resume.  Like me it had been years since dealing with this task.  I vaguely remember compiling one in high school.  It's been a great while. Most jobs that I have held were due to personal relationships or timing.  A resume was not necessary until this year.
This past summer it was fun to find a way to promote myself in a creative way.   In all honesty, I procrastinated, hoping to get out of it.  I really did not want to put it together.  I remember looking it over, spell checking, having my sister and another friend dissect it before selecting a nice paper to print it on.  Jan, my friend, has oodles of paper to choose from.  Love that she had so many choices.  Not fun in any way.  Still necessary and I am glad that I finally got around to doing it. 
I consulted my sister, Michaela, about a template for construction.  She e-mailed me a site that would have examples.  I considered having her look it over but based on the tone of her e-mail, I knew, that she didn't have time.  She has been extremely busy with work.  Too stressed to look over another resume.
I sat down with my friend and went over his work history.  Drinking wine aided in that process and this morning I noticed how terrible my notes were.  I couldn't discern some of the scribble.  Darn that wine!
Anyways, I typed it up, looked it over and found difficulty in the selected action words.  Operate could only be used once, maybe twice, but definitely not under the same company.  There is just not another good word to replace operate when it comes to machinery.  Eventually, I told him we should either combine tasks and figure out another responsibility he had while working at specific work sites.  We ended it with a reference to personal references.  Mine, I listed volunteer work and hobbies.  Possibly my favorite part of compiling my work history.  Showcasing travel, wine, food, due to being employed.
Regardless, I believe it was decent.  No errors in spelling, grammar and when you read it aloud, it flowed. The paper was fine and he got the job.  Mostly due to personal references but putting together the resume helped me respect others that I viewed today.  I stopped into work to check in and decided to look over some of the applicants.  It's shocking how little some people value themselves.  Spelling errors, font choice, paper....overall appearance does make a difference.  I did not enjoy taking the time to make my resume but I know it looks clean and makes sense.  I am just a stickler when it comes to grammar, etiquette and courtesy.  Have some pride is all I am saying.
Compiling my friend's was definitely easier since I had experienced this necessary thing a few months ago.  And, it deducted some of what I owe him for the road trip from Denver.  I don't know if I will ever be able to repay him...

weekend recap

Wine inspired (induced) weekend.  I must take a break from the lovely juice to give my liver a break.  Unfortunately, I need to sample wine to figure out the current list that we will be offering at the restaurant.  I am determined to spit, not inhale, as is, the normal way I drink wine.  Damn Jenn and Rob.  They spent the weekend in Tempe and entertained me.  Originally, the plan was for Rob to participate in the half ironman in Tempe, but, his training sort of went to the wayside.  It became a spectating event instead.
I must say, spectating, at the finish was pretty incredible.  Our friends met up during the run and chose to cross the finish line holding hands.  Too cute.  This married couple have done several events together.  He was ahead of her due to his start, but she caught up with him during the run.  Their finish was lovely.
Plus, it was nice to lend support at the finish line.  There is just something about hearing your name yelled when you accomplish an endurance event.  Or, I enjoy it.
Regardless, since it was a spectating weekend, I joined Jenn and Rob and showed them a mini tour of Tempe.  We enjoyed my favorite wine spot in Arcadia, they visited me at the cellar and made a brief stop at a brewery.  Jenn was a little hungover from Saturday and so our plan of mimosa brunch got kiboshed before it could begin.  Thankful for that.  Last night could have went south quickly had I started the day with mimosas. 
I wish we had had more time to tour the city.  I wanted to show them a few more spots before they had to return to Denver.  They are always gracious and curious about eateries.  I love that.  I love dining with people that enjoy food/wine as much as I do. 
I think the lunch spot worked best.  We shared a bottle of wine while eating an array of tapas--bruschetta, olives, cheese and a salad.  I think this is my preferred way to dine.  Sampling as many items as possible with friends.  We didn't eat at the brewery since they went to In and Out Burger.  Apparently, it is a wonderful burger that I have yet to try.  I made eggs instead, grabbed a coffee and met up with them to spectate the race.  We had some time to explore and so I asked them what they wanted to do.  Rob wanted to check out a local brewery and ironically, there was a wonderful one in the area.  Somber outing since Jenn was still feeling the wine of Saturday. 
We parted ways so that they could fly back to Denver.  I continued the Sunday tradition of stopping into the local wine bar.  Tried bruschetta this time around.  Yummy.
I need to conclude this.  I am uninspired as this is the fourth time I have attempted to post this particular event.  Either I have had interruptions with the internet or the blogger has been difficult.  It's been annoying.

Monday Memory

Four years ago almost to the day, I was standing in this hotel room in L.A. showing off how I would get around other countries.  Looks ridiculous, I know, but how else could I travel for five months with a few belongings?  At that point, I still had guidebooks in the bottom of my backpack.  Thankfully, I left those with my friends.  Talk about uncomfortable.  There were several times when I considered chucking all of my clothes since I was tired of carting them around.  Limited belongings still weigh something.
Ahhhhhhhhhh....to be traveling.  Wonderful memories for sure.  I am on a new venture and it feels fantastic.  Must figure out ttransportation this afternoon and so I need to conclude this for now.  I leave you with this--Smile.  Breathe and enjoy your Monday.  I am smiling (really) just thinking about that wonderful trip and reason for the blog.

the last few days

Brief vacay and no internet access.  Sacrilege (sometimes) and this past week, I enjoyed not being able to connect easily.  It forced me to go outside and enjoy the sunshine.
Denver is always a welcoming city.  I love it there and believe that it will always be my home.  I had the opportunity to fly home, visit friends and collect my belongings.  I wanted to display my conch shell and thankfully, I did pack it amongst the random boxes of stuff that I wanted to keep but not bring in my car.  Decisions, decisions.  When I began my find myself trip, I had to make decisions about what should go with me and what needed to be left behind.  The conch shell was one of those things that was packed away to be rediscovered at a later date.  I was thrilled when I unwrapped it yesterday.
Anyways, I had a whirlwind trip to Denver and managed to see some friends.  Not enough time, though, to do everything that I had intended to do.  I feel awful that I was unable to see my aunt and it was completely my fault.  I ran out of time and began enjoying chimays.  My day sort of got away from me.  The intent was to meet her for dinner but the day went askew when my friend, Chipper, was delayed on the road.  Initially, the plan was to meet up at noon for lunch and then assess how to arrange my things.  Due to an accident on 1-80 he did not arrive until almost five pm.  In an attempt to see people and amuse myself with stories/updates, I met my friend, Melissa, for lunch at cap grille.  Lovely to see her and inspired with wine and decandent food.  Plus, I knew the bartender and manager which is always a nice perk of being in the service industry.  Lunch extended and before I knew it, my window to meet for dinner had closed.  It just all got away from me.
And, as much as I wanted to see everyone, I couldn't make Chipper sit through a parade of important people in my life.  It isn't for him.  And, I knew that.  Sure, I wanted to see everyone and get updated on how life was treating them, but I had to think of him, too.  He offered to pick up my things and I needed to keep him somewhat happy, too.  There will be other trips and of course, I will see my aunt and others for sure.
I started out sprinting with the friends and it continued until we left the city.  I managed to dine at watercourse, elway's, solera and pick up a breakfast burrito at santiago's.  Not to mention spend time with the goddess, sara jo, jenn, Steve, GQ and a few other friends that I had not seen in a great while.  Running into Dave was a lovely surprise, too.  I ran into him at a coffee shop near his house.  I think it surprised both of us and then we were both regretful that it concluded so quickly.  Again, I see myself enjoying wine with him in the future.  He is building a wine cellar in his basement that definitely interests me.  Yep, I see Denver in my future.
I need to update more but I have a lot of things to figure out this morning.  Veronica is still at the shop since my mechanics suck.  There is no polite way to say it.  I dropped my car off ten days ago and due to lack of communication, on their part (per usual), I must find a new mechanic.  I understand ordering parts and having them delivered but once they received them (yesterday), they should have begun work on my car immediately.  Instead, they said, well, maybe Monday or Tuesday.  WTF?  Get my car fixed.  I need it to function in this city.  As such, I am off to pick up my rental so that I can attend to my priorities. 
Enjoy today.  I have friends, in town, here, so I am sure I will have more stories to blog about.....

Monday Memory--Fiji

Overcast day in Fiji.  Delightful.  I love the image of the clouds.  Hope you enjoy, too!  I am off to run errands, pack and confirm flights...