When it comes to making big decisions, using logic doesn't work for me. I don't always understand everything I do or why I do it; things just happen and I go along for the ride. Therefore, I throw logic to the birds. Long-term goal-setting, too, for that matter. I make goals that bend with the wind - today I want one thing, tomorrow another. I think it's time to get real with myself and acknowledge that I'm better off goal-less and intuitive.
I do not recommend this path for everyone, though, because it could be a lifeline for some. It's like dairy: some people are intolerant and others need it for survival...like babies. I am logic-intolerant.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The Whole Foods GRAND OPENING!
Today was the "GRAND OPENING at 9 AM!"of a Whole Foods Market just up the street from us (10 min bike ride). It's the social event of the month for midtown Tucson, so OF COURSE Cindy and I went to check it out. We arrived at 9:20 and the parking lot was packed; everyone plus their grandmothers were there. Actually, since this is Tucson in January, it's more like "grandmothers plus everyone else" were there. There were photographers from the paper scribbling notes about customers views on the chicken; video crewmen doing interviews in the cafe; progressive upper middle class Tucsonians scouting for prime fatless, carb-less, entrees; middle-to-lower class Tucsonians gathering every coupon and free give-away, and people like me who aren't there to buy anything but who enjoy being part of the event (read: in everyone else's way). The only people missing were students. They had school. Suckers. "Busy day today," I said to a cashier. "Yeah!" he responded, "It's like the Superbowl of Whole Foods!"
I've never been to an opening of a grocery store, but this place sparkled. The salad bar was perfect - all the tongs were placed at strategic 45 degree angles in each tray, full of chopped, colorful vegetables. Not a stray pepper or olive slice could be found. Every sandwich and dessert looked like a model, as if they had been painstakingly prepared for hours and set out only moments after the cooks applied the finishing touches. The soup bar had SEVEN different kinds of soups (I opened and smelled every one) and led to a mountain of cornbread at the end. All the cuts of meat (fish, chicken, pork, beef) were perfectly aligned down the display cases and garneshed with greens. The Michael Buble remix-sounding tracks made me think I was in some kind of foodie Wonderland. I half-expected the chickens to start dancing.
Speaking of Whole Foods employees, they were incredibly energetic. In the deli and bakery departments, they yelled, "CAN I GET ANYONE A FREE SAMPLE OF ANYTHING??" On the floor, crew members dashed about to and fro for canned fish, macaroni, or portabella mushrooms. The "higher ups" walked around with headsets ("How's the gruyere cheese display looking in aisle nine?") or coached their subordinates in WF posse circles ("If a customer asks for something that they have in the other stores, say blah-blah-blah"). Regardless of status or position, though, they were all thrilled to give you anything you asked for: "I'm not sure that I like this carb-free, Chinese cabbage pork wrap...can I taste-test the rest of your sandwiches?" ("Of course!") "Can I get the tofu lasagne bake that's second from the top and third from my left in the display?" ("My pleasure!") "I'm hoping you carry this obscure product that no one has ever heard of and none of the other stores have, but since you're so enthusiastic about helping -"("I thought you'd never ask!")
I made it through the checkout line with a free bottle of chemical-free dish soap and some frozen vegetables, and then went to relax. But where? I had my choice of the smoothie bar, wine bar, or the cafe dining area decorated with desert flowers and cacti. I chose the cafe and joined my fellow Whole Fooders in browsing the literature of coupons. Cindy and I eventually found each other minutes later - thank goodness for cell phones - and we headed out. All in all, it was a successful trip - we made it out alive with free stuff! I'm looking forward to having this new store around, even if I only shop there sparingly. Now if only a new Target would open in the same vicinity...THAT would be epic...
I've never been to an opening of a grocery store, but this place sparkled. The salad bar was perfect - all the tongs were placed at strategic 45 degree angles in each tray, full of chopped, colorful vegetables. Not a stray pepper or olive slice could be found. Every sandwich and dessert looked like a model, as if they had been painstakingly prepared for hours and set out only moments after the cooks applied the finishing touches. The soup bar had SEVEN different kinds of soups (I opened and smelled every one) and led to a mountain of cornbread at the end. All the cuts of meat (fish, chicken, pork, beef) were perfectly aligned down the display cases and garneshed with greens. The Michael Buble remix-sounding tracks made me think I was in some kind of foodie Wonderland. I half-expected the chickens to start dancing.
Speaking of Whole Foods employees, they were incredibly energetic. In the deli and bakery departments, they yelled, "CAN I GET ANYONE A FREE SAMPLE OF ANYTHING??" On the floor, crew members dashed about to and fro for canned fish, macaroni, or portabella mushrooms. The "higher ups" walked around with headsets ("How's the gruyere cheese display looking in aisle nine?") or coached their subordinates in WF posse circles ("If a customer asks for something that they have in the other stores, say blah-blah-blah"). Regardless of status or position, though, they were all thrilled to give you anything you asked for: "I'm not sure that I like this carb-free, Chinese cabbage pork wrap...can I taste-test the rest of your sandwiches?" ("Of course!") "Can I get the tofu lasagne bake that's second from the top and third from my left in the display?" ("My pleasure!") "I'm hoping you carry this obscure product that no one has ever heard of and none of the other stores have, but since you're so enthusiastic about helping -"("I thought you'd never ask!")
I made it through the checkout line with a free bottle of chemical-free dish soap and some frozen vegetables, and then went to relax. But where? I had my choice of the smoothie bar, wine bar, or the cafe dining area decorated with desert flowers and cacti. I chose the cafe and joined my fellow Whole Fooders in browsing the literature of coupons. Cindy and I eventually found each other minutes later - thank goodness for cell phones - and we headed out. All in all, it was a successful trip - we made it out alive with free stuff! I'm looking forward to having this new store around, even if I only shop there sparingly. Now if only a new Target would open in the same vicinity...THAT would be epic...
Thursday, January 3, 2013
It's All Business
If there is one thing I have learned about jobs and careers over the past year, it's that every art form has it's business and every artist struggles to make a space for creativity within that business. The bottom line of a yoga studio, massage therapy clinic, advertising agency, television studio, bed and breakfast, and anything else not run by the government is how many people have we made contact with today and how much money did we bring in?
Yoga teachers just want to help people find inner peace. Chefs just want to cook interesting food. Writers just want to tell a story. Graphic designers just want to create catchy images. All these people simply want to do what they're passionate about. However, because everything is run by money, each creative endeavor has its business (deadlines, budgets, red tape, quotas, and demanding customers). Therefore, I have reached the following conclusions:
1) Success = learning the business of your field.
2) Business must come first and fulfilling your creative expression has to come second.
3) You have to be Michelangelo and chip your creativity into the business "rock" little by little. It's not easy or fun, but you will eventually get a Statue of David.
4) In finding a career, it comes down to the question, "Which business do you want to learn?" and possibly, "Which business will let you best utilize your talents (after you learn the business, of course)?"
I am working on number 4 at the moment. While suspects have been identified, the jury is still out.
Yoga teachers just want to help people find inner peace. Chefs just want to cook interesting food. Writers just want to tell a story. Graphic designers just want to create catchy images. All these people simply want to do what they're passionate about. However, because everything is run by money, each creative endeavor has its business (deadlines, budgets, red tape, quotas, and demanding customers). Therefore, I have reached the following conclusions:
1) Success = learning the business of your field.
2) Business must come first and fulfilling your creative expression has to come second.
3) You have to be Michelangelo and chip your creativity into the business "rock" little by little. It's not easy or fun, but you will eventually get a Statue of David.
4) In finding a career, it comes down to the question, "Which business do you want to learn?" and possibly, "Which business will let you best utilize your talents (after you learn the business, of course)?"
I am working on number 4 at the moment. While suspects have been identified, the jury is still out.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Without A Phone: One of THOSE People
Every so often, a careless person (read: friend) will write an annoying post on facebook that she dropped her phone in some body of water and now desperately needs numbers so that she can patch the pieces of her life back together. This time, my phone became the next victim to water (work + rain + biking home).
However. As we speak, my phone is sitting in a bowl of rice and I refuse to post a play-by-play of it's vital stats on facebook. Instead, I will post here that if you've sent me a "Happy New Years!" text, you probably won't receive a response. This is for you, Mom.
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