Category Archives: pure gold


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Time

 time

Back in 2001, I changed fields completely… went from working for the housing and construction industries to working in science.

The toughest concept I learned – in addition to getting a crash course in just about every discipline out there (archaeology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, genomics, nanotechnology, proteomics, etc) – is that there are no absolutes.

Now, I thrive on absolutes, on guarantees, on infallibilities…. like knowing for certain that 100 cents makes one dollar or that 1+1=2 or that dogs bark and cats meow or that Friday is payday or that there are 24 hours to a day.

I get a little upset when ALIAS moves from Sunday to Wednesday nights, when my brother changes his email address and forgets to inform me, when the Euro starts to bitchslap the US dollar, when I finally understand that time is a constant (it does not pass – we pass through it).

Quantum Physics my friends – the multiple worlds theory. For a quick introduction, rent What the ^@!&@# do We Know?

So now, almost five years later, absolutes no longer exist in my world. And, I think my life is better for it, though it’s been a long process.

And it’s got me thinking…. IF this many-world view of reality is a possibility and IF some super-genius at MIT figures out how to travel between these universes and IF I could afford to travel in time (because we all know it’ll be ludicrously expensive when it’s first commercially available), then where would I want to go?

10. Participate in a druid ceremony at Stonehenge in 1500 BC.

9. Tour the Great Library of Alexandria in 100 BC

8. Visit Alexandria, Egypt during Cleopatra’s reign in 51 – 30 BC

7. Witness the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776.

6. Menlo Park in 1879 when Thomas A. Edison invented the lightbulb.

5. Stroll the decks of the Titanic on the day of her launch on April 10, 1912.

4. Cape Canaveral, Florida, on July 16, 1969 for the launch of Apollo 11.

3. Hear JFK’s Inauguration Speech on January 20, 1961.

2. September 1499 for the return of Vasco da Gama to Lisbon, Portugal, during the reign of Manuel I.

1. Florence in 1480 to pose for Leonardo da Vinci.

If you could travel in time, where would you go?



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Bag Ladies of DC

baglady

Look around and you’ll find them everywhere.

Women who ride the metro, walk down the sidewalk, climb into cabs, share the elevators, while carrying two, three, sometimes four bags.

I’ll admit, I’m guilty. I’m a bag lady.

Every morning I sling an oversized black bag over my right shoulder as a small purse swings from my left arm.

But even I stop and gape in awe when I notice a relatively normal-looking female wrapped in an oversized black bag, a gym duffle, a laptop case, and a small purse while gripping a Starbucks paper bag filled with what I presume to be lunch.

Why are we compelled to live like nomads?

I need most of the things stored away in the trendy purse – house keys, metro pass, pen, lipgloss, mobile phone, wallet, digital camera.

But why do I insist on carrying a large black bag around with me daily? Will I ever really need any of the things I stuff in there?

Let’s see (dumps contents of bag on floor):

Dell laptop, Nike sneakers, Filofax, one paperback novel by James Rollins, one collection of short stories by Carol Shields, kleenex, two silver barrettes, Kate Spade shades, five different shades of Lancome juicy tubes, TDK Mojo mp3 player, three AAA batteries, four bandaids, last week’s issue of The Economist, an issue of The New Yorker, suede case filled with three Cross and Caran d’Ache fountain pens, one red leather blank journal, businesscards, two Advantage chocolate peanut butter lo-carb bars, a black spiral notebook, a bottle of Advil, a pedometer, two pads of post-it notes (one hot pink, one yellow) and $2.89 in loose change.

Hmmmmmmmm……..

What’s in your bag?


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Just call me Tia

My beautiful niece decided today was the day she’d come into the world.

Last night, as I stepped out from the air-conditioned movie complex into the humid night air, I was startled to find eight messages waiting in my voicemail.

And then I knew.

My brother’s voice sounded steady as he reported that he’d just checked the mom-to-be into the hospital. It would be at least a few hours. Then my mom called three times, leaving sing-song messages (she is REAL excited about becoming a grandmother). Next came a message from one of my cousins (and my brother’s neighbor) complaining about the vending machine selections. Then another message, from another cousin, telling me more of the same. Followed by my mom, again, this time wondering out loud where could I possibly be (watching Mr. and Mrs. Smith) during this momentous occassion and why wasn’t I answering my phone and could I call her as soon as I got her message – if not sooner. The last message was my brother, still sounding remarkably calm considering his life was about to change forever, giving me an update.

Baby decided to join the festivities twelve hours after they entered the hospital at 5:24 a.m. today. Everyone is healthy and well.

All except me! I feel so far away and have to wait til Friday to meet her. I’m feeling uncharactistically morose and anxious about missing almost everything!

Almost everything in the sense that thanks to cameraphones and wireless technology, my brothers and parents and cousins and aunts and uncles are inundating me with photos. So I guess I don’t feel as badly as I could be.

Stay tuned for real pictures of the little princess next week.


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Smelly memories

lumber

I was walking down M Street when I caught a whiff of a distinctive scent – the smell of 2×4 wooden boards. Instead of standing on a busy sidewalk, I was transported back to the lot in Massachusetts where my dad and five other men framed our home…. and to the dim stage where 25 actors stood poised to help build a set.

The memories were vivid because of that wonderful aroma of fresh lumber.

There are other scents that never fail to bring back memories for me, like:

honeysuckle
fresh cut grass
salty ocean air
bleach
burning charcoal
new leather
peppermint
coconut

What scent does it for you?


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Lord of the ring

wedding band

What is it with guys, who are married, that don’t wear rings?

I know of one woman who does not wear her wedding band.

But the world is inundated with men who don’t wear theirs. And it’s not as though these studs are operating heavy machinery where the ring could get caught on some mechanism that would grind their bones to dust.

I’ve been meeting more and more of these ringless wonders. Maybe it’s just a beltway phenomenon. Can someone enlighten me?


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The mobile office

mobile office

The main reason I was missing in action from the blogosphere is because I was setting up my own shop.

I left the world of full-time gainful employment in November 2004 with enough money saved to carry me through May 2005.

The first couple weeks were heaven. I met with my designer, approved the logo and slogan, put the website online and planned a marketing campaign. I slept til noon, worked til 2:00 a.m., and was the envy of all my friends.

December was a flurry of meetings with well-meaning colleagues (all dispensing advice before scurrying back to their offices), aching wrists from hours of typing email announcements, and creative Christmas gift-giving.

January passed quickly. Almost 1,000 postcards were mailed to prospective clients announcing I was ready for business. The first week passed – but I figured people were still on vacation. The second week came and went. The third Sunday, I picked up the Washington Post and glanced at the job listings (just out of curiosity). The fourth week I got my first official client!

AND breathed a HUGE sigh of relief.

A mere 10 weeks later I have six clients and more work than I can handle. And having oh-so-much fun. AND am the envy of all my friends and family.

Last week I worked out of Denver, CO. My hours were a little screwy because I was up early handling East Coast clients at 6:00 a.m. mountain time – but I’m not complaining. Next week I’ll be working from Boston, Mass., and Lisbon, Portugal – talk about a screwy work schedule. In June, I’ll be open for business from New Orleans, LA. And in July, I’m planning a two-week Independence Day extravanganza in Newport, RI.

I’ve invested heavily in technology…. I started off with one clunky laptop and am now the proud owner of three ultra-portable, wireless, lite-weight machines. Am a huge fan of cruzer micro drives! Own two digital cameras. And a cellphone with international calling capabilities.

I am a sleek, mobile office. Need a PR campaign – I can work from anywhere and am available to work with you on-site.

So between the euphoria of actually leaving the predictable world of 9-5 life, to the rush of holiday madness, and the sudden crash of panic in January, to the crazed schedule that has become my new life – it was difficult to either find topics to blog about or the time.

I’m a bit more settled now and look forward to sharing my experience with others who are thinking of leaving the daily grind to strike out on a venture of their own.


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The hills are alive with the sound of music

portugal.gif

In one week, I’ll be on my way to Lisbon. Lisboa.

And I’m going with my grandmother, who has never been. I’m so so so excited for this trip.

I haven’t taken a real vacation since 2003. A real long time.

Actually, it’s not a true vacation. Now that I’m in business for myself, I have a mobile office. With a wireless laptop and cellphone, I can work anywhere. In this case, from Portugal.


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One Moment Can Change Your Life

clock

Sometimes all it takes is one moment to completely turn your world upside down.

Last year, I worked full-time for a prestigious organization that provided me with a steady paycheck, full benefits, and a company-matched-retirement-fund.

I loved my work, but hated my job. After more than three years with the same organization, I was desperate for more money, more fun and something different.

It only took one moment to change all of that.

I entered my boss’s office for our weekly meeting to go over the budget and calendar to establish the priorities for the month. As my eyes scanned the long list of looming deadlines, my head began to throb. I stood up, shut the office door, and informed my supervisor that it was time for me to go.

That’s how one moment, I was gainfully employed with a magnificent corner office on the top floor of a fabulous building downtown, and the next moment, I was an entrepreneur standing in the middle of Staples examining the features of color-coordinated fax machines and printers.

One moment.

I gave my two weeks notice and put off telling anyone outside of my work colleagues about the new turn in my career. Of course, I knew I had to inform my friends and family before my last official day at the office because it would be oh-so-awful if they phoned me at work only to be informed that I was no longer employed there.

The call to my parents was the worst. They thought I was mad. And could I reconsider. And what in hell was I thinking. My friends were excited and took me out for an impromptu celebration over expensive cocktails and minimalist decor. My brother was thrilled because he also had an announcement for my parents and my news cushioned his blow. His girlfriend is pregnant.

Another moment.

One second I’m a swinging single thirty-something entrepreneur, daughter, sister, granddaughter and friend. The next moment I’m an AUNTIE!

How thrilling! (I can’t wait to spoil my little niece rotten)

Most times, change occurs in itty bits, so that you don’t quite notice how much weight you’re gaining from day to day, or the second you become fluent in Portuguese, or how you managed to charge $5,000 to your credit card account.

But sometimes, on rare occasions, your universe can change in one moment.