Movin' blogs!

Hey Heather.
Hey Anne.
Hey anyone else.
(I think you're the only two that may have this in your google reader.)

I'm taking up blogging again. This time, a topic based. Finally starting my food blog.

Check me at...
brittasmouth.wordpress.com

kicking off the end of a decade

Hello blog. It's been awhile. Sorry. Plan to be better.

Reality has set in. The big 3-0 is looming. I recently marked my 29th birthday, and to be honest, I may have a harder time with this one than next years. There are so many things that I've always wanted to do before 30. If feels like I have to squeeze in as much fun as possible.

Though logically, I know it's quite different. It is just and age, and moreover - one that signifies potentially having your 'shit' a bit more together. I'm actually looking forward to potentially finding a bit more stability and normalizing... I guess that's called 'growing up', whatever that is.

My late 20's have been quite the exploration of self.
26: The year of partying and friendship. I became close to some people that I'm so lucky to have, and rekindled friendships with others. I also partied my f-ing ass off. If you were around this year, thank you for letting me make a complete ass of myself. The stories are some that still crack me up and I'll never forget (though some memories are hazy). Some decisions were, well, suspect and out of character. However, I was giving myself a kitchen pass to recover... and well, had a great time.

27: The year of extreme highs and lows. I made great memories with amazing people. Loved my job. Fell in love. Hard. The can't breath because you're filled with butterflies kind. It was an unsustainable high. Then, everything I knew and expected washed out from under me. In one completely painful swoop. Was laid off. And well, Cubemate-Gate 2009. 'Nough said. But, I came out in the year still smiling and knowing it was all for the best.

28: The year of stabilization and recovery. I moved 5 states away from everything I knew and focused on my career. This has lead to a much more quite, grown up social life. Though at times it hasn't been easy... I knew that I needed to get out of MPLS, recover and take care of myself after the bumpy ride at 27. And, I'm glad I have. I've learned more about myself... and, as bitter as I can be some days, have worked my ass off and learned a lot professionally.

Now, the question is 29. What kind of year will this be. I have no clue. To help me ease into 30, I've decided to set goals for the year. To help meet do some of the things I've thought I had a long time to do, since 30 was so far off.

Here they are... (note: this is a WIP and may grow)
1) Run a marathon (locked and loaded for the TC Marathon Oct 3, training going really well)
2) Climb a 14er
3) Maintain my goal weight (sorry, I'm a girl)
4) Be good at birthday's and holiday's - remember cards, have them be on time, etc - be thoughtful.
5) Master snailmail - getting real makes my day, make the days of others.
6) Travel! Take at least one big trip (that's not just visiting the midwest... currently in talks for Australia with Miss Jennie Moore)
7) Read one book a month
8) Stay up-to-date in current events - reading the Times and WSJ more regularily
9) Listen to NPR more
10) Blog. Track my goals here for you all... and potentially start that story blog that I've been talking about for, well, ever.
11) Volunteer every other month - 6 times.
12) Go to church regularly
13) Get back to my musical background - taking in more culture (orchestra, ballet, art, etc).
14) Plan something completely awesome for my 30th bday

So, now that I've put it out there for my approximately 1-3 readers... I have to do it.

Here's to my 29. Here's to finishing my 20's the way I want. Or... something.

Oh Grandma...

My Grandma Arlene was the queen of pranks. Whether be in the church office on co-workers, tricking friends on Halloween, or getting my grandpa after he returned in the morning from working the night shift at the refinery - she got 'em.

This past week marked the year anniversary of my Grandma Arlene's passing. Though the week has a lot of hard memories (both with my grandma, and a well, when life combusted in on itself), my family decided to uphold her tradition.

We did what grandma would do. Prank her friends. We ordered pizza's to a few of her friends homes, to show a bit Larson love and some emmense confusion. Granted, we aren't there to witness it... but nothing but a bit of innocent fun - to uphold her honor.

Miss and love you always grandma. We'll see what brainstorming we do for next year...

Dear 2009...

Usually, I do a blog post as my summary of a year. Kind of my public reflection of the year - the good, the bad, etc. I know that it's nearly half way through January and I have yet to do this.

Well... That's because I have no idea where to even begin on 2009. I've started many posts, but have yet to finish one. And, I've decided to handle it in a bit of a series of 2009. I've spent a lot of time reflecting on all that happened recently - which has caused a slight anti-social side of my personality (that is also helped by my recent break from alcohol... which may be ending soon).

So, my post series (which, lets be honest, is just mainly for myself) is coming.

2009, you were not fine. Yes, there were some great, amazing times and I'm thankful for a lot, but overall - you were a little bit on the brutal side.

However, as a preview - though I just discovered this song. It damn well would have been my anthem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYCzDhaRV60

Dear Subaru Drivers: Drive

Dear Subaru Drivers of Colorado (i.e. most drivers of Colorado),

You have all wheel drive. I know, right? It's crazy! It's means a lot of good things - like you can drive when it rains and snow... and all sorts of elements in between.

I bet, dear Subaru driver, you actually bought your car because of this amazing safety feature. (That coupled with the ready to go outdoorsiness).

What does this mean? You can actually drive! Meaning, faster that 20 mph, or perhaps just actually move forward or do anything. But, please know - all of the safety features for why you PURCHASED your car, mean you don't need to treat it like it's a glass box about to shatter.

Thank you,
Other Colorado Drivers

HAPPY LAUNCH DAY!

So... launch means nothing to me, my work still comes. But, Happy Win 7 Launch day regardless. It's the largest consumer product launch in history, surpassed Harry Potter as the number one pre-ordered product.

Needless to say, it's pretty cool to be a part of.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/business/media/22adco.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1256234535-UYQMyMTMfekPtjEMfsJrKg

Dear Sir - Don Draper is fictional

A perk of leaving on production during fall sweeps is coming back to a plump full DVR (remember, I don't have a lot of social commitments out here... a full DVR is glorious). And in that, Mad Men was waiting for me.

As I've been watching and catching up - something hit me. I think many men in advertising - or at least some I've come across - think they're actually Don Draper. They want to gallivant, make ladies swoon, and attempt to have overly insightful one off comment, like Mr. Draper.

Well... all you wanna-be Drapers, I have some bad news. His character is fictional, let alone it's a time period piece. In this day and age... there are no Don Drapers. There's a reason it's fascinating and interesting.

So please. Don't think you're actually Mr. Draper, sir. Please understand that when you gallivant, it's different. Why? It's not the 60's. It's 2009.