Well, we've made our 3rd trip to Brazzaz in Chicago and it did not disappoint. Brazzaz is a Brazilian Barbeque restaurant. Basically, you sit down and they bring several (16, I think) different types of meat on huge skewers and carve it right onto your plate. They also have a salad bar of side dishes that are equally yummy. It's not cheap, but it's an all-you-can-eat extravaganza. I am, of course, stuffed.

While I love the food, this place is also great because of the good company. We always seem to meet up with some people that work for our client (often people we've never met before) and we just eat and talk and laugh.

I love meeting cool people. It gives me hope that all of the idiots I see on TV are not really what the world is made up of. Oh, Gerbner, what we've cultivated.

Labels: Brazzaz, Chicago, Food, people

Life's too short for bad customer service. I make choices on who I will give my business to based on the kind of service they provide.

Case in point: Today at our luxury hotel that supposedly caters to business clientele, I was having trouble sending email. So I called the front desk and told them I had a problem with my internet connection. They swiftly transferred me out of the hotel without even asking what my problem was. I was soon talking to Sprint, after being hung up on once. After explaining the situation, they immediately told me that there was nothing they could do to help. When I suggested that an outgoing email port may be blocked, he "logged in" and told me that there were NO ports blocked and our host was probably blocking the hotel's IP from sending email. Okay, then.

Having my doubts, I then called our host company, Media Temple (mt). They asked for my information. I told them my name and info, they then told me that they would help as much as they could but I wasn't on the account as an admin. So I told them the problem I was having. He walked me through the process of changing my outgoing email port and had me test it. It worked!! So I told him what I went through with Sprint and he sort of chuckled, "Yeah, they were definately blocking the port." He asked if there was anything else he could help me with, and I said, "Nope, that was awesome! Thank you."

Later Media Temple sent out an email to my husband who is the admin on the account and recounted the whole matter to him. Talk about being thorough! That is some serious customer service!

Go Media Temple!! Sprint, well you can go elsewhere.

Labels: customer service, Media Temple, Sprint

We've made our yearly pilgrimage to Chicago once again.

It was a very long day of travel and set-up. We got up at 5am and headed to the airport. Once on the flight, with a little manuevering Merc and I got to sit next to each other, which was a nice surprise as our flight was packed! I fell asleep almost immediately and really couldn't stay awake.

It's pretty darn cold here, which is one really nice thing about coming here this time of year. We are supposed to get snow tomorrow (crossing my fingers). Chicago is a great place, and perfect for kicking off the holiday season.

Labels: Chicago, snow

I love the spirit of Thanksgiving as just a time to reflect on our blessings.

I feel very blessed this year to have all that I do. Namely my husband, my family, my friends and our business. So I offer a heartfelt "Thank You!" to all who have been a part of my life in one way or another this year.

Labels: blessings, thank you, Thanksgiving

Dear Rain,

When I see your pretty little picture on the weather forecast, I smile and anxiously await your arrival. You're like an old friend, and I love it when you visit.

So you can see how I am so upset about your ill-timed performance this past week. You were supposed to come and stay for 3 whole days, but did you? NO!

You only came for one day. Showed up after I was asleep and left before I got up. Those are some seriously bad manners.

So here is the deal, I will forgive you only if you make good on this. Hope to see you soon.

Thanks,
Me

Labels: rain, weather

I've been falling behind on the blogging because we have been working some serious hours. Basically, we've been doing little else, but working. It really hasn't been that hard because there was always something that needed to be done. I really like having the goal clearly set out before and know exactly what must be done.

It's been almost a month of working 7 days a week, into the evening most nights and no days off. I'm not complaining mind you, but it does mess with your head a bit, when you can't think of anything you've done in the last month, but work.

Labels: overtime, Work

As per tradition, here is this year's Christmas Desktop image for those of you who would like to add a little holiday cheer to your digital world.

Photo provided courtesy of my mother, who has mad starburst skills.

Enjoy!

ChristmasDesktop2008.jpg

Labels: 2008, Christmas, desktop

I watched a wacky little movie with my dad a few years ago, called "For Pete's Sake". It's a Barbra Streisand comedy from the 70s. I found it on Netflix (watch instantly!) so I watched it again. Overall, it is a pretty ridiculous movie, but parts are pretty funny. I love finding random stuff like that though.

Labels: For Pete's Sake, movies

This is our busiest time of year. We get a lot of work toward the end of the year from most of our clients, then we typically go to Chicago for a week for another client. We leave the day after Thanksgiving, early, so we rarely go out of town to visit family for the holiday.

This year is no exception. We will probably be working a little and definately packing on Thanksgiving day.

When I was at the grocery store over the weekend, I saw the turkey and just couldn't resist. I bought one and all the stuff to go with it. I love this holiday and I love cooking, so I plan to celebrate between the packing and the work, even if it's only a short break.

Labels: Thanksgiving, Turkey

I haven't watched a movie yet on the xBox with Netflix, but we did get it set up. It looks to be promising once we hardwire the internet. Once I figured out that I needed the movies to already be queued in my Netflix, I logged on and added about 80 movies.

I think this is the future of home entertainment. I'd much rather pay $14/month for Netflix and get to choose what I watch, than pay $25+/month for cable and get a ton of channels I don't want.

Labels: Cable TV, movies, Netflix, Watch Instantly, xBox

I got my hair chopped off this week. I was brave and did not tell the stylist my usual tidbits, "I have to be able to put it in a ponytail", "I don't do bangs", etc. I told her that I wanted it shorter and that I wanted to be able to do it curly and straight. The results are great. I just love it! I haven't put it up all week (and that in itself is a miracle).

There is something to be said for giving a professional a free hand to do what they think is best, that is, if you trust them to know their craft and take care of you. But I have noticed that the more restrictions you put on creative pros, the less motivation they have to be creative.

Speaking as a creative, I would say some direction is good, but don't veto the ideas they haven't had yet. You may miss out on all their expertise has to offer.

Labels: creative, hair cut, professionals

So the hubby and I created our little xBox avatars. We went for realism (inasmuch as it was possible). I have to say it was an interesting experience, trying to figure out what the 3D cartoon me should look like, but it was fun. So here's how it came out:

Labels: avatar, digital, me, xBox

Hubby and I stopped off to get a mid-day massage during our lunch break. It was much needed and very enjoyable. A good massage sends me into that lovely "not-quite-here" state of consciousness. Once I got a chair massage in the middle of The Irvine Spectrum (at one of those booths) on a bustling Friday night, after a few seconds of massage magic everything went quiet and peaceful. Afterward, I was a little surprised when I saw how many people were around.

Now I have to go drink more water.

Labels: massage, relaxation

I would like to explore the idea of taking on a slightly shifted daily schedule. Namely one that begins and ends later. We seem to be getting a lot of work done in the evening hours, after the regular work day has ended for most. We could roll in around 11am and dive into our email (which is a losing battle before noon), maybe starting later would allow us kill it in one session rather than restarting the session with every click of the "send". We could get our priorities set and get in a bit of work before our late "lunch" at, say, 4pm. Around 5 we could really hit our productivity stride, having a working dinner whenever hunger struck and roll out at 10pm.

That works, right?

Well, it's just an idea. During the busy season everything is a bit off kilter.

Labels: schedule, Work

We got a running start on this week by working all weekend last week. Then tossed in a couple of long nights, 7:00, 8:30, 9:45.

Thursday we hit a morning meeting, got back to the office by 1:00pm, worked until 6:30, then went home and packed. Got in the car and drove almost 3 hours to my parent's house, chatted with them until midnight.

Got up on Friday, went to breakfast, conference call at 10:00am, email and laundry until next conference call at 2:00pm, email and organizing until 5:30, birthday dinner out with Dad (serious Margarita time), watched a movie, crashed.

Saturday was family fun, food and visiting with a few light errands.

Sunday, we got up at 7:00am, packed up and drove home, unpacked the car, grabbed lunch, headed to the office and worked until...well, now.

And now, I'm tired.

Labels: busy, long week, road trip, tired, weekend

I downloaded custom ringtones for my parents this weekend. Mom went for "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and Dad, the theme from Mission Impossible. We also helped them find new photos for their phone wallpaper...Dad finally settled on the Ben-Hur movie poster and Mom, a pic of Lucy from the Peanuts.

I love those wacky kids.

Labels: iPhone, ringtones, wallpaper

And Uncle Steve :)

Labels: birthday, Dad, Happy Birthday, UncleSteve

We made it to my parent's house in record time. No stops, no traffic, just sailed on through. 2 hours and 40 minutes for a trip that typically takes 3-3.5 hours...nice!

Labels: making good time, road trip

It's not that I haven't been sleeping well. Once my brain let's go, I am out for the count. Sometimes I have to listen to my iPod to fall asleep, so that my brain gets distracted. But with so much going on my mind and body have all of this nervous energy.

Dispite my nightly yoga, water intake and bouts of exercise throughout the day, I am still having muscle aches and tension. The really wierd thing is my dreams. They are not about anything specific, usually something I did that day, but the mood is very intense almost frantic. I usually wake at about 5:30 in a state of panic brought on my the dreams.

So even though my body is getting the rest, my dreams are messing it up. What to do?

Labels: dreams, rest, restless, sleep

We love our local gelato shop, Frati. We go so often that the staff knows us by name. Anthony, the owner, makes the gelato and creates the flavors. He really makes some amazing stuff. His latest flavor, for the holidays, is Pumpkin Pie Gelato. We stopped in and had some yesterday. He has been making a pan everyday and selling out everyday. Bits of pie filling, crust and extra cinnamon, it's delicious! (And I am not really that fond of pumpkin pie.)

So there's a little something to try, if you're in the neighborhood.

Labels: Frati, Fullerton, gelato, pumpkin pie

We worked over the weekend and again today. This is our busy season and we will probably be putting in some long hours until the end of the year. Even though putting in a lot of work time is not the most fun we could be having, it is nice to be getting so much done. I always love that feeling. A full day of hard work is very satisfying.

Labels: long weekend, overtime, Work

This week we installed some vinyl signage on the windows of a local business. Merc and I worked together for a bit, then he had to go take care of something back at the office, so I worked on.

There was quite a bit of bending and measuring. Then once the transfer tape had been squee-gee'd down and I started pulling it off, I noticed the muscle-building potential. You literally have to bend your knees slightly and lean into the tape. Every muscle from your shoulders to your knees is tense, keeping you from toppling over. The tape comes off pretty slowly so you have plenty of time to "feel the burn". It's kind of like whole body isometrics.

The next day, I had the sore muscles to prove it. So sign up today folks! Join my vinyl installation class and watch the pounds just melt away!

Labels: installation, vinyl, workout

Our 5 disk DVD player died about 4 months ago (but it still plays cd's...hmm.) So the hubby and I bought a new DVD player. It worked fine at first, but now it seems to get moody about certain disks. At random points it will decide to get stuck between chapters and the screen will just go black.

So the other night we were watching an episode of "Friends" while we ate dinner. As the episode ended, it got hung up and the screen turned black. We really didn't think much of it and just started clearing the table. My husband turned off the TV and we both decided to read for a while before going to bed.

Around 2 a.m. we were awoken by the voices of Monica and Rachel from the living room. The disk had randomly started again and the audio was playing though the amp. After a second of sleepy confusion, I stumbled out to the living room to turn everything off.

I wonder what kind of glitch makes the DVD player act up, then decide to fix itself 5 hours later.

Labels: DVD, electronics, Friends, odd

Mr. Benz posed this question to his Twitter followers: Test time. Tomorrow you die in the electric chair. What is your absolute last meal?

I did not answer via Twitter, because this is not something I can say in 140 characters. Seriously.

Now, I don't know the rules of a last meal or how specific I can get, but let's say the sky's the limit. Here's what I'd order:

Appetizer
The baked brie in a sourdough bread bowl from The Twisted Vine here in Fullerton.

Salad
A really good caesar (no chunks of anchovy, please).

Main Course
The Roasted Prime Rib Special from The Chicago Chop House with a huge broiled Lobster tail.

Sides
Thick steak fries and steamed asparagus with Hollandaise sauce.

Dessert
The chocolate cake made from Elizabeth Berg's recipe in "Escaping into the Open", with homemade cream cheese frosting. (This is a cake I make...I wonder, can I make my own death-row dessert?)

All of this with a great glass of red wine, that I would probably take a recommendation on.

And I'd probably like to have a few strips of perfectly cooked, thick-sliced bacon...you know since it is my last meal and all.

Labels: delicious, Food, last meal, meal

I am not one of those people who go crazy for mac and cheese...certainly not the kind from a blue box anyway. (Or any recipe that includes Velveeta, barf.) But there are 2 restaurants in town that make *killer* mac and cheese.

The first is Bourbon Street. Their mac and cheese is creamy and tasty with blue cheese and andouille sausage crumbled on top, with just a hint of cayenne. Oh yeah. It is fabulous!

The second is The Slidebar. Their mac and cheese is a lesson in richness. I believe it has 3 cheeses, including fontina. Topped with a crisp breadcrumb crust and so rich I usually can't finish the appetizer portion (and I order it as my meal).

So there you have it. If you like mac and cheese, you know where to go.

I'm hungry now.

Labels: Fullerton, mac and cheese, restaurants

I have maybe seen 2 double-yolked eggs in my entire life. That is until a couple of weeks ago.

The last time I was grocery shopping, I bought extra large eggs instead of the regular large that I typically buy. When I cracked the first one, it was a double-yolk. I thought it was a bit odd, but the strangeness continued. The next day I got another...and then another...

Turns out NINE eggs in that dozen had double yolks. That's right...NINE. Clearly, the end is near.

I did a little research and here is what I can tell you about double-yolked eggs:

- In Asian markets they sell them by the dozen.
- There is nothing genetically wrong with them.
- They eat just fine.
- While they are fairly uncommon, some chickens have a propensity for laying them.
- Younger hens tend to lay them more often.
- They have a more elongated shape.
- They are a sign of good luck (cha-ching!)

Labels: double-yolked, eggs, Is that weird?, yolk

I know it's a bit early, but I just want to say that I am SO looking forward to Thanksgiving. It's easily my favorite holiday. I love the food! And it is such a nice relaxing holiday. You fix a big meal, everyone gathers around, talks, eats and then you nap. What could be better?

I know, I know...Christmas is great too and magical and festive and there are presents and twinkley lights, but I like that fact that Thanksgiving is more low-key and less fussy. You can skip the decorating and just eat, talk and nap. The perfect day with no crazy shopping or mounds of wrapping paper to clean up.

Labels: holiday, Thanksgiving

As I get older, I am finding that I need to stretch more and more. I do simple yoga moves and a few stretches I learned in dance class. Here is my standard routine:

Laying on the back:
1. Knee to chest, alternating legs.
2. Both knees and let them drop halfway to the ground on one side, then the other.
3. Knee to chest, then draw the knee across to the opposite side, then the other leg.

Sit cross-legged:
4. Sit up straight and bend forward at the waist, head to the ground.
5. Twist to each side.
6. Switch the cross of the legs and repeat 4&5.

Hands and Knees:
7. Cat & Cow (alternate arching back up & down).
8. Child's Pose
9. Upward facing dog
10. Downward facing dog

Standing:
11. Forward bend, roll up
12. Arms overhead, side stretch right and left.

Always breathing deeply. Om.

Labels: routine, stretching, yoga

I am addicted to Netflix's "Watch Instantly" feature. Basically, if you have an "unlimited" account (these are not the most expensive accounts either), you can access a portion of the Netflix collection online and watch them on your computer.

The newest releases are not usually available and the selection is somewhat limited, but they are adding to it daily. This is perfect for someone like me who loves to watch older movies.

I can't wait until this feature is integrated into the Xbox system and you can watch these movies right on your tv.

The fact that these movies are just a click away has made me rethink my movie collection. How many movies do I need to own if thousands are available to me for unlimited viewing through Netflix? Already there have been several movies I was thinking of adding to my Christmas list only to find them on Netflix - Watch Instantly. A penny saved.

Bravo, Netflix.

Labels: movies, Netflix, Watch Instantly

November is National Blog Posting Month, are you in?

The challenge: Post everyday for the month of November.

Some days it is harder than others, but in the end you will be very happy that you did it. And who knows, you may even learn something about yourself.

So come on...there are not really any rules, just 30 posts in 30 days, jump on in the water is fine!

Labels: blogging, goals, NaBloPoMo