Want: A list

this week is busy. so much so that i don't have time for capital letters.

so i'm stealing this quick and dirty little list from ang. of course, i'm changing it up a bit to be the things that i currently want. and, naturally, adding in a little explanation as is pretty standard with me. thanks, love! you're so inspiring :)

want.

• time and money to visit my family in california
• to order my custom freefly suit, but i'm having issues getting in touch with the designer
• a puppy - but i don't think i'm ready for that yet
• to live in the South again. most days, i miss it
• a big project at work, like really big. i'm ready for a new challenge
• to give up artificial sweetener again. that stuff is toxic
• a life that looks as organized as it is. like this
• to continue blogging and writing, and hopefully inspiring a few people along the way!

what are some of your wants?

cheers!

-a

Living for the future

We all know these people, the ones who hate their jobs to the core and who spend every day awaiting the weekend so they can start living.

Then there's that subset of people who take it a step further - the ones who live for Saturday, only to sleep most of it away, followed by a Sunday bitching that tomorrow is Monday.

Some life.

(Sorry, that was rude)

I'm not here to judge. If that's your cup of tea, enjoy it. Just don't make me drink it!

Attitudes like this are toxic, sometimes even contagious. Those of us who are trying to live out every day to the fullest have to struggle not to be swayed into this mindset when it surrounds us.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm one of the lucky ones. As I've mentioned before, I've got a day job that I truly enjoy, working with a fantastic team of incredibly smart people, a group of beyond amazing friends who I can count on for just about anything, a hobby that fills my weekends with fun and excitement, and the best friend, partner and lover a girl could ever ask for, living under the same roof.

Needless to say, I have lots of reasons to be embracing every day. But for those of you out there who can't seem to live for the moment, please, don't try to bring me down with you.

Lately I've been getting more and more Facebook and text messages from people who aren't working for one reason or another saying something to the effect of "sucks you're stuck at work! I took the day off to do X, Y, Z..."

Almost like, "ha! in your face. you're at work and I'm not."

All that makes me want to do is send them a message the next day saying "gosh, it sucks you're back at a job you hate and I'm enjoying mine. that really blows. :) neener!"

Of course that would accomplish nothing and I'd feel like a big turd for trying to make someone feel bad. That's never a goal of mine. Ever.

If there's one thing I've learned in the last year of my life, it's that arrogance and bragging don't get you very far in life. Neither does bitching about something. If you want it, go get it. If you don't like it, work to change it.

Spend the time that's wasted on spouting off at the mouth on something more constructive to make your life what you want it to be. Sure, we all have to do things we don't enjoy from time to time, and everyone has those days where they wish they could have done something else - even if it was just stay in bed. But as I see it those days should be few and far between, not the norm.

And if they are, and you are either content living that way or don't have the drive to make changes, then at least do those of us a favor who are out there embracing each day and fake it.

I'm going to hop down off my whining soapbox now and go back to doing something constructive. Have a lovely day! :)

Cheers!

-A

Three questions

Okay, so this list thing seems to be rather popular with my readership, and we all know how much I enjoy making lists - so I'm going to stick with it.

One of my regular reads is over at a blog called Shades of Grey. He's currently in the middle of a question and answer deal, that I fear I'm not popular enough to actually be able to accomplish.

But that's okay, he presented three compelling questions that I'm going to answer!

I'll also pose the question - what else would y'all like to know? - and see if I do, in fact, get any response.

So, here goes. Thanks for the idea, OG!

Q: What is the personality trait you find most/least attractive in the opposite sex?

A: This is difficult, because there are a few things that are equal on both sides of this for me. As far as attractive qualities I'd have to say passion and sense of humor. Passion being someone who has a zest for life, has something that he lives for, and who isn't afraid to show how much he is passionate about me, too. Sense of humor is a must. I like to laugh. Every day. Even if it's only at myself. He has to be able to do the same.

Least attractive is lack of self esteem. I don't want to be with someone I have to scrape off the floor everyday after he beats himself into the ground for not being perfect. But too much confidence leads to arrogance, which is also unattractive. Somewhere in the middle is a nice balance :)

Q: If you could only listen to one musical artist for the rest of time who would it be?

A: This is actually easy. Angels & Airwaves. I have yet to be disappointed. Their music is so versatile too - it's for every mood and it always makes me feel good.

Q: If you had to choose between living in a mansion with everything you need including a personal staff, but with no natural light and you could only go outside for an hour a day or live on a tropical island but you have to catch and prepare your own food and there's no running water or electricity. Which would you choose?

A. I like to think that I'm tough enough to deal with the elements so that I could spend all my time on a tropical island, but let's be honest here - I'm probably not. So I'm going to take the mansion route. BUT, there's a catch here. The mansion MUST be located on a tropical island, walking distance to a runway with a full-time twin otter and pilot on staff, and the house has to be BASE jumpable. This way, I can spend my one hour/day outside with a BASE jump, a quick walk over to the airstrip for a skydive or two before going back inside. I think I could deal with that!

So, what are your answers?

Cheers!

-A

11 little secrets of my own

Okay - so I'm borrowing this idea from Justin Kownacki, mainly because I really, really like his list!

He borrowed the idea from Chris Penn, whose list is also thought provoking, but Justin's hits home for me.

So I've decided to create my own list of secrets to staying happy, healthy, productive and sane. This is a very personal, specific list, but I'll try my best to broaden these secrets to apply to a more general audience - so y'all can relate.

I'm shutting up now. Here's my list:

1. Drink plenty of water. This is first on the list because I can't express how important this really is. When you spend the majority of your time in an office like I do, coffee is often your best friend. But if you don't balance that out with enough H20 your body is going to suffer. Keep from getting sluggish by sipping water throughout the day. Another benefit, you won't be as hungry. Our minds often confuse thirst with hunger. So when you're mildly hungry, try 6-8 oz of water first - then see how you feel!

2. Be pro-life. When I first started my career I was all about spending long hours at the office, working weekends and sacrificing my life so I could get ahead. Sure, I earned promotions, but who wouldn't when all you do is work. My managers started bugging me about getting out, enjoying nice weather, and NOT burning out. After 3 years of nuttiness (yep, that's a word, I just decided) I decided to be pro life and spend a little more time with my hobbies and my boyfriend, and a little less time at the office.

3. Learn how to be a better person from everyone you meet. Yep, even the assholes.....especially the assholes! What a better opportunity to look at someone and say "I know I don't want to be like that." Lucky for me, I live with someone who inspires me every day! Take note of the things you like about the people you like, and learn to adopt some of those qualities. You can be the person you want to be!

4. Spend some time with yourself. This goes along with Justin's secret of being comfortable alone. Take time to learn about you, what you want, who you are. Be comfortable with yourself. You are your biggest critic, sure, but you can also be your biggest advocate, without being arrogant...which brings me to:

5. It's not always about you. You know those people who, in conversation, are just waiting for you to finish your story so they can tell you theirs. Or the people who ask questions like "how was your weekend?" just so they can tell you about what they did? Yeah, don't be that guy. Listening will get you farther in life than you might think. Be humble and pay attention, this will help you with #3.

6. Jump out of airplanes. This is pretty specific to my tastes, but in general, have something that challenges you, and lets you learn about yourself. Skydiving is very meditative for me, I have learned more about myself through this sport than most anything else I've done in life. It's a reminder that I'm stronger than I think!

7. Don't be too hard on yourself. No one is perfect, even though the media wants us to think otherwise. Figure out the type of person you want to be and work hard to be just that. Learn to embrace your quirks and don't put yourself down. It's important to understand that everyone makes mistakes, and we're all going to trip up now and again. Which leads me into number eight...

8. Forgive, but don't forget. Holding onto anger hurts no one but yourself. It takes a lot of energy and brain power to be angry with someone for long periods of time. Say your peace then, if for no one other than yourself, move beyond it. Though this doesn't mean you should forget. Sure, people make mistakes and deserve second chances, but there's a limit to how much you should take. No one should be a pushover.

9. Be active. Do something active every day. Whether it's going to the gym, walking your dog in the park, taking a stroll on the beach, practicing yoga, whatever suits you. But trust me, you'll feel better if you find time to use your body every day.

10. LOVE. Have passion. This really should be number one on the list, because in my life it's certainly the most important. I like that my life is consumed with things that I am passionate about - my job in social media (which I truly enjoy), practicing yoga, going to spinning classes, skydiving, and going home every night to the love of my life. Without these things I'd be lost.

11. Live in the moment. Too often we're looking ahead at what's to come, or dwelling on something from the past. But if you open your eyes and look around, you can learn to truly appreciate the present moment, too.

Now I'm going to tag all the bloggers out there who are reading this! Let's hear your list of secrets. :-)

Cheers!

-A

Current confessions

So I do this every now and again - and honestly it's been too long since I have. I don't fully understand my own need to put things like this out on the interwebs, but I imagine, deep down, it has something to do with my wanting to better myself....and what a better way to do it than by admitting to stupid crap like this!

Owning up to it is the first step, right? :)

Well, here goes nothing. My (short) list of confessions.

1. I love the crazy, sometimes hectic life I lead. But there are some days I just want to be lazy, and I always feel guilty about that.

2. I check myself out in every reflective surface that I pass - windows, mirrors, clean cars...everything. Though not in the "oh I'm so hot" sense, I just catch myself looking for anything that might be out of place.

3. I have a skydiving blog and Facebook fan page so that I can post about skydiving whenever I want without my friends and co-workers thinking that my life completely revolves around the sport. Even though it pretty much does.

4. Lately I've been working on being more of an observer of how I lead my life and working to improve upon that. I've found a few areas that, with a little attention to detail, could make all the difference. But I'm not going to lie, even though I've figured it out and am working on it, it still stings a little when someone points out those flaws :-/

5. Yes, I am more sensitive than I let on. So be nice, damn it ;)

6. Right now I'm listening to Lady Gaga's Bad Romance. And I like it.

7. Every time I eat, I get cold for 20-30 minutes after. Every. Time. Sometimes I'm shivering uncontrollably. I hate it.

8. I unfriended my ex on Facebook - not because I wanted nothing to do with him, but because he told me he wanted nothing to do with me...so I thought it would be easier for him if he didn't have to see my updates anymore.

9. It bugs me when things are uneven, like if I get my right foot massaged, I feel lop sided until my left is done too. I'm also bothered by odd numbered lists - so I'll leave this at 9 just to help me learn to deal with it.

So c'mon spill it! What are some of your current confessions?

Cheers!

-A

RAVE: Outback Auto Wash

A couple weeks back the BF got a new truck. As such, he's very much taking care of it like a newborn baby. I think he's given it more car washes in two weeks than he did the last 6 months he had his other truck.

Though, that's not the point. Man, I can never stay on message here...

So one day he heads to Outback Auto Wash to give his bab

y a good clean up - and come to find out there's no soap in the machine. FAIL.

He calls the 1-800 number on the building and the rep tells him to expect a refund in the mail for his trouble.

Awesome! Just like that, they redeemed themselves. Sure, it was still a minor hassle, but a refund is a refund none the less.

Thinking that was it, the issue was dropped. Until Friday, when he received a $20 customer value card in the mail for the inconvenience. REALLY? That's freaking awesome!

This company went above and beyond to make the customer experience that much better.

I can tell you, that I've used that car wash before and it's great. I certainly won't be taking my business anywhere else in the area.

Thanks again, Outback. We'll be recommending you around town!

Cheers!

-A