Monday, May 30, 2011

Boston L O V E

 Point of inspiration : Life is how you live it...how you love it.

City : Boston, MA

Points of Interest : Too many to mention; but start at Fanueil Hall, the Freedom Trail, Fenway Park, the Massachusetts State House


Hotel/ Transportation Information : Hilton Boston Logan
complimentary hotel shuttle, the T (rail system), metro bus, trolley


People Watching : above average, high energy/ friendly

Don't Miss! : I finally walked the Freedom Trail, starting at Fanuil Hall and making my way, weaving through the streets of Boston, through burial sites, and political points of interest, via the Boston Commons and other famous city landmarks in this fantastically rich city. A city known for changing the country - lawmakers and rebels, Presidents and soldiers, all remembered along the way. Along the way to Cheers, where everyody knows my name and everyone inside knows the cast of this infamous TV show, an icon itself of our Pop Culture.
This tour is about 2.5 miles long, and also covers a Public Garden and give s sweet tour of Beacon Hill, and the beautiful architectural structures of the 1800's.

Boston is a city rich in culture and history and sprinkled with beauty and charm.

A must see city for anyone.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Airline Passenger Awards

Our company, like most companies in the country give kudos for high performers and/ or outstanding service. My company also has a peer kudos program where you can nominate your peers for, "the above and beyond" services that you witness or receive. The last corporate office I worked for also had a program similar to this, which was well received by most associates. I think there should be awards for some airline passengers (and an eject button for others).

I flew home a few days ago after a month of intense and exhausting mental training. I was tired to say the least. When I got to the airport, all the flights which had seats only hours prior, were now full. I started the non-rev shuffle from gate to gate trying to get on any flight out of Texas.
I finally found a flight leaving immediately, which would connect to a full flight I couldn't get on at that point of the day, but would have seats once it dumped people where I was headed on the earlier flight. Long story short, I took an extra leg, earlier, so I could jump on later and eventually end up at home.

My plan worked and I got on a flight that had plenty of open seats, just later than I anticipated. I was still tired. I chose a seat near the rear and comfy'ed myself in for the trip back home. Shortly after takeoff, I awoke to my seat being jolted. I rearranged myself and closed my eyes again. Two minutes later, a continuous kicking of my chair followed by a pounding on the tray table attached to my chair. I peeked around the seat to see a small child kicking my chair and his dad simply watching. Watching his evil spawn kick my chair over and over again.
I excused myself from my row and went to the back of the plane and stood from the rest of the flight. I was so tired I couldn't care about this Satanic child keeping me awake, or his inconsiderate breeder. I would rather stand for 90 minutes, keeping my composure and looking forward to sleep once I got home.

While I stood in the back, I noticed a young dad, full sleeve tat's, with the sweetest little girl (about the same age as the son of Lucifer from my seat) sitting a couple rows from the back of the aircraft. I watched as this little girl wiggled, and dad scooped her up, put her on his lap and helped her get comfortable. She was polite and quiet and they were ideal guests.
I wondered how this kid( guy in his 20's is now a kid to me) had such a cool, peaceful, well behaved toddler, while a grown ass man in business casual attire couldn't keep his monster in line, nor had any desire to do so.

I could not give a formal kudos to the man and his child in the back, as I also couldn't give a swat to the rear of the kid behind my seat - OH, I forgot to mention, when the plane started it's descent and I was forced to take my seat again, the monster behind me gave me a razzberry as I sat back down. Satan, I tell you.
But, what I could do instead of harboring hate for a child, was reward the sweet child with some snacks I had in my bag. I waited for the young dad and his sweet girl to exit the plane and offered them my cuties and a huge cookie left over from my lunch, still in the package. They were so grateful, because they still had another flight, from Denver, on to Boise.

One more of life's moments when a negative situation can consume you if you don't look for the high road. I can't explain how much better it made me feel to smile at a child and hand over a cookie, than to stew behind clenched teeth at the rest of the inconsiderate world.
So much better.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Is Entreprenuerial Success Inherited?

Forbes Magazine Article

Again, the concept of Nature vs Nurture, yet in the context of Success.
Are successful people more likely to be successful based on the success of their parents?
As if DNA controls education, capabilities, or success on any level.

I have always been an advocate of nurture over nature. I don't believe dna controls anything, except looks. People all over this earth with no opportunity, no parents, no support, no guidance show up in life. They work hard. They make the money that some are gifted with. They study and they learn. They become as successful as they want to be, because something innate in them demands it.

Does the daughter of Ralph Lauren have an advantage? Yes, she does. If my parents were billionaires, it would be a lot easier to sit back and start a company with the financial backing and a "no-risk" attitude.
My father grew up in a household where he was gifted everything he had. My grandparents were successful and wealthy. Did my father's dna take over and make him successful? No. He chose his path. He chose to squander his gifts, on all levels.
Nature is great, but the opportunity to learn how to be successful comes from your environment. Hard work generates success, not a dad with a gazillion bucks.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Sex and Visualization

I had an eye opening conversation with a male friend on the topic of picturing someone else while in the moment.
ie. Having sex with someone while visualizing someone completely different.
I thought, "No way". Who does that?
He went on to tell me about, "this guy in college", etc.
I thought about how much it would suck to have some guy I thought was into me (no pun intended), daydreaming about Carmen Elektra, or Kim Kardashian, or simply some girl he met on the train that he knew he'd never get the opportunity to love on.
How disappointing.
Then I wondered how many people did this.
How many married couples are in the moment, yet thinking about that girl/guy at work, or some pro athlete? Or some sexy celebrity.

I'm all about having fantasies, but when you are committing to a moment with someone, give them the courtesy of that hour, I mean damn! Shouldn't sex - shouldn't that type of intimacy, be reserved for someone you (at minimum) can give your full attention for an hour?
(p.s. no wonder so many people are bad in bed...feel me?)
Personally, I don't want to be naked with someone I'm not totally 100% into. I certainly don't want some guy on top of me that makes me wish I was with someone else. For the guys, is sex that inconsequential that anyplace warm is better than nothing at all?

I am curious as to how many people have done this? How many people think there is no issue with this (whatever you have to do, right)? How many people would consider it, if it came to that? And how many are totally turned off by this practice?

Tell me something.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Hotels and Green grass

Sometimes, all I need to recharge is a good run and a night in a great hotel.

Funny enough, my new job provides me this at no charge. It comes with a paycheck too. A day flying around (which I love, and would do for free), complimented by overnights in charming cities, and stays in great hotel suites.
I found my calling.

Today was a reminder of what I appreciate so much about my life.
The ability to go where ever I want, whenever I want.
The solace of a great suite.

A sweaty run in a city where no one knows me and I can run for as hard and as long as I want with no commitment - no time limit - no, "I can only run for 30 today because I have to be somewhere...anywhere", because I don't.
I lay in my giant bed with the air conditioning blasting, after eating a great meal I would never treat myself to at home (well, that may be a stretch), waiting for sleep to come over me, because my day could have only been better in one aspect.
And that's coming.
Life is good - make it yours!

Look where my path led me.