Fact: I love movies.
Fact: I love puzzles and things that make me think.
Fact: I often find my brain is in "go" mode far often than it wants to "rest".
Lie: I don't watch tv.
Fact: I don't watch tv often
This summer, however, I have found myself cemented in front of many XFinity TV and Netflix shows this summer in an attempt to shut off my brain from it's normal "go" mode and just enjoy the day and my "time off". Some of the usual suspects that peak my TV interest are easy going shows that are often upbeat or promote people trying to accomplish something in their lives. I enjoy "Burn Notice," "Say Yes to the Dress," "Project Runway," "Master Chef," "Drop Dead Diva," and "White Collar," to name a few. Those are shows to which I normally default when and if I find time to actually hit the Power button for my TV or computer.
This summer, however, I have found a few new favorites on Netflix that have truly satiated some of my top endulgers. I love things that make me think and keep my brain in "go" mode. Two of the shows I've favored this summer, as a result, are "Life," and "Lie to Me." A-MAZING! And the best part? They play out like ongoing movie sagas because they are 2 and 3 seasons long, respectively. That means you can enjoy marathoning the shows as though they were movie sagas and not just 40 minute episodes.
So what makes them so special? I'll fill you in on the little secrets about why I fell in love with them.
LIFE
No, it's not the game, first of all. :-)
Premise: A cop is acquitted of a crime he did not commit after spending 12 years in jail. He returns to become a detective and brings with him the years of Zen Buddhism study he did while imprisoned.
The enjoyment factor: Realizing how the Zen he acquired helps him solve cases and see things about reality and what people say that others either cannot see or simply overlook. Watch it all in a relatively short time frame and I'd be surprised if a little of the main character's approach to life and problems doesn't rub off a little on the viewer!
LIE to ME
Premise: A man has spent 20 years studying human micro-expressions that give away when they are lying and telling the truth. He is hired by companies, the government, and individuals to help them assess crime, uncover truths, and solve problems.
The enjoyment factor: WATCHING HIM CATCH PEOPLE IN LIES!!! HOW COOL! And they often will focus in on a micro-expression and flash photos of real people displaying those same expressions. It creates a tie into the real world and helps keep the apparent reality of the show flirting with the line between fictional stories and non-fictional situations. It can also make you start to think about what you show on your face when you say things or wonder if you, too, couldn't pick out lies that other people tell.
....just in case you needed a few more shows to start loving. :-)
Friday, July 27, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Just "DO"
Today I awoke to find that my morning included a rainstorm. Yup. Rain. In most scenarios, I'd simply wrinkle my nose, grab my umbrella, and run out to my car to carry on with my day as planned. You can still get a lot done in the rain! (Hello, London & Seattle!)
However, this morning, the nose wrinkle included an internal growl. I had planned to go for a really long walk / jog. Well, I'm no hard-core outdoor's woman or devout runner, so the rain put an instant stopper on those plans. The problem was that I still really wanted to work out. I had propped myself up and gotten out of bed at 7:30 this morning to do just that! And now, here I was, rained-in.
Now, many of you are probably saying "well, just go to the gym." Point. Counterpoint: I just moved and haven't signed up with a local gym. Hmmmm, that left me in quite a dilemna. WHAT TO DO!?
Then, I remembered! I had seen a place called "The Dailey Method" and knew it was only a few blocks away. So, I hopped on my computer, looked up the center, discovered I could register and pay for a single class online (COOL!!) and walked myself there @ 7:45 am, umbrella and all.
Let me tell you, too, fantastic work out. It kicked my butt! I left there feeling muscles tingle that I hadn't felt in a very long time. I also felt supremely under athletic, as normal workouts and training do not prepare you for that type of a workout! However, it was (post-workout minded) extremely refreshing!
But what was the point of all that? To remind you that even when something looks like it has destroyed your plans, evolve! Enjoy! Explore! Find something else that falls into the same vein or experiment in something totally outside what you had planned, but JUST "DO!"
However, this morning, the nose wrinkle included an internal growl. I had planned to go for a really long walk / jog. Well, I'm no hard-core outdoor's woman or devout runner, so the rain put an instant stopper on those plans. The problem was that I still really wanted to work out. I had propped myself up and gotten out of bed at 7:30 this morning to do just that! And now, here I was, rained-in.
Now, many of you are probably saying "well, just go to the gym." Point. Counterpoint: I just moved and haven't signed up with a local gym. Hmmmm, that left me in quite a dilemna. WHAT TO DO!?
Then, I remembered! I had seen a place called "The Dailey Method" and knew it was only a few blocks away. So, I hopped on my computer, looked up the center, discovered I could register and pay for a single class online (COOL!!) and walked myself there @ 7:45 am, umbrella and all.
Let me tell you, too, fantastic work out. It kicked my butt! I left there feeling muscles tingle that I hadn't felt in a very long time. I also felt supremely under athletic, as normal workouts and training do not prepare you for that type of a workout! However, it was (post-workout minded) extremely refreshing!
But what was the point of all that? To remind you that even when something looks like it has destroyed your plans, evolve! Enjoy! Explore! Find something else that falls into the same vein or experiment in something totally outside what you had planned, but JUST "DO!"
Monday, July 23, 2012
100%
Shopping has become a game. It's superfluous and yet a necessity. We spend hours and hours of our time sifting through catalogs, browsing the shelves, asking for recommendations, and "deciding." We base our decisions on things like price, attractiveness, smell, color, size, shipping, name. All the food we eat, the objects that adorn our houses, the glasses we use to either see or help us shield the sun is bought.
And in order for something to be purchased, it has to be sold. What does that mean for us, the consumer? It means that we have no right to talk about not liking people who "sell," because 100% of everything we buy is sold to us.
Don't know what I mean? Have you ever heard someone say, "I hate pushy sales people," or "I could never sell anything," or "They're only trying to sell you something," etc? Ever heard that? Well guess what, it's null and void because EVERYTHING you own, EVERYTHING you wear or put on your body, EVERYTHING you buy was, in fact, SOLD TO YOU.
Breathe. I know, it might take a while to sink in and sting less. Let yourself go through the mourning stages of your autonomy and pride. When you hit stage 5, acceptance, we can talk. :-) But, truly, 100% of everything you buy is sold to you. It's advertized, commercialized, recommended, suggested, placed on a shelf or in a show room so you'll see it above all the other products. Yes, the job of all those products is to SELL YOU on why they're the best.
So, next time you wish to criticize someone for "selling," or feel like you couldn't possible "sell" anything, just remember the last time you recommended a movie or restaurant, or your favorite body lotion. Your recommendation was you selling something to someone.
Aaaah, the art of commerce.
And in order for something to be purchased, it has to be sold. What does that mean for us, the consumer? It means that we have no right to talk about not liking people who "sell," because 100% of everything we buy is sold to us.
Don't know what I mean? Have you ever heard someone say, "I hate pushy sales people," or "I could never sell anything," or "They're only trying to sell you something," etc? Ever heard that? Well guess what, it's null and void because EVERYTHING you own, EVERYTHING you wear or put on your body, EVERYTHING you buy was, in fact, SOLD TO YOU.
Breathe. I know, it might take a while to sink in and sting less. Let yourself go through the mourning stages of your autonomy and pride. When you hit stage 5, acceptance, we can talk. :-) But, truly, 100% of everything you buy is sold to you. It's advertized, commercialized, recommended, suggested, placed on a shelf or in a show room so you'll see it above all the other products. Yes, the job of all those products is to SELL YOU on why they're the best.
So, next time you wish to criticize someone for "selling," or feel like you couldn't possible "sell" anything, just remember the last time you recommended a movie or restaurant, or your favorite body lotion. Your recommendation was you selling something to someone.
Aaaah, the art of commerce.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
The Dilemma
For quite some time now, I've been faced with the same dilemma as many other savvy, healthy shoppers: Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. It may sound petty, but it's quite the conundrum.
For starters, they're both great locations. They have healthy and unique food, produce, and very different atmospheres. So how do you compare? Let's look at a few categories, shall we?
Price Point: Hands down, Trader Joe's is cheaper. It has a bounty of cheaper wine, cheaper vegan and gluten free options, cheaper regular options like PB and pasta. It also has cheaper produce, even the organic produce.
Variety: Whole Foods. Is it any wonder that Whole Foods would be leaps and bounds better in this category? It's far more expansive. It pulls from greater wholesalers. It has heavier food traffic, and therefore has greater options. Trader Joe's might have cheaper options, but if there is something specific that you need, Whole Foods always wins.
Friendliness: I'd almost vote TJ's. Everyone there seems to really love their job.
"To Go" options: Whole Foods. Duh. 'Nuff said. Have you seen their buffet area and food bars???
Availability: It's almost a toss up. It depends on where you are. Suburbs have greater access to Whole Foods, but in the Chi, it seems to be rather evenly split.
Wine: Price? TJ's. Selection? Whole Foods.
Vegan: Definitely Whole Foods.
Gluten Free: Again, Whole Foods.
So, there you have it. Which one's better? No idea, but I'd love to know. I'm still torn. Maybe after a bunch more shopping, I'll have an answer for you.
For starters, they're both great locations. They have healthy and unique food, produce, and very different atmospheres. So how do you compare? Let's look at a few categories, shall we?
Price Point: Hands down, Trader Joe's is cheaper. It has a bounty of cheaper wine, cheaper vegan and gluten free options, cheaper regular options like PB and pasta. It also has cheaper produce, even the organic produce.
Variety: Whole Foods. Is it any wonder that Whole Foods would be leaps and bounds better in this category? It's far more expansive. It pulls from greater wholesalers. It has heavier food traffic, and therefore has greater options. Trader Joe's might have cheaper options, but if there is something specific that you need, Whole Foods always wins.
Friendliness: I'd almost vote TJ's. Everyone there seems to really love their job.
"To Go" options: Whole Foods. Duh. 'Nuff said. Have you seen their buffet area and food bars???
Availability: It's almost a toss up. It depends on where you are. Suburbs have greater access to Whole Foods, but in the Chi, it seems to be rather evenly split.
Wine: Price? TJ's. Selection? Whole Foods.
Vegan: Definitely Whole Foods.
Gluten Free: Again, Whole Foods.
So, there you have it. Which one's better? No idea, but I'd love to know. I'm still torn. Maybe after a bunch more shopping, I'll have an answer for you.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Sexy Vegan Food
AAAAAH! LOVE! One of my new, official, all-time favs! This Vegan restaurant, located on Green Street near Greektown in Chicago, is an absolute must for vegans and non-vegans alike. Called Karyn's on Green, this cute little unassuming restaurant opens up to a classy, clean, inviting restaurant once entered.
The decor is crisp, warm, and, well, green. It's not mistake why this restaurant picked it's location. The "green" has many uses: the street name, the concept, the color scheme, and the environmental friendliness of the food.
While there, my boyfriend and I celebrated our anniversary and my birthday. He mentioned it to the restaurant when he made reservations (and yes, he made all the reservations!). They treated us to a dessert on the house (might I recommend the chocolate peanut butter cake. WOW) and complimentary glasses of good champagne. Now, I'm not saying it was $100 a bottle, but it was also not your average Mum's.
We had sushi, hush puppies, zucchini spaghetti, risotto, chilled broccoli soup, and sliders. All vegan. All absolutely amazing. The hush puppies were THE BEST I've had to date, and that's quite an accomplishment! And, in case you need, they have Gluten Free, Nut Free, Soy Free, and Raw options as well. Everything's vegan, but the restaurant denotes what other categories the food falls under. For example, I ensured that everything I ate that night was gluten free, too (well, save a few bites of my boyfriend's hush puppies!)
Overall, a 15/10. Amazing. We will ABSOLUTELY be returning!
The decor is crisp, warm, and, well, green. It's not mistake why this restaurant picked it's location. The "green" has many uses: the street name, the concept, the color scheme, and the environmental friendliness of the food.
While there, my boyfriend and I celebrated our anniversary and my birthday. He mentioned it to the restaurant when he made reservations (and yes, he made all the reservations!). They treated us to a dessert on the house (might I recommend the chocolate peanut butter cake. WOW) and complimentary glasses of good champagne. Now, I'm not saying it was $100 a bottle, but it was also not your average Mum's.
We had sushi, hush puppies, zucchini spaghetti, risotto, chilled broccoli soup, and sliders. All vegan. All absolutely amazing. The hush puppies were THE BEST I've had to date, and that's quite an accomplishment! And, in case you need, they have Gluten Free, Nut Free, Soy Free, and Raw options as well. Everything's vegan, but the restaurant denotes what other categories the food falls under. For example, I ensured that everything I ate that night was gluten free, too (well, save a few bites of my boyfriend's hush puppies!)
Overall, a 15/10. Amazing. We will ABSOLUTELY be returning!
Fun Forgotten Words
Sometimes Facebook connects you with old friends. Sometimes it helps you connect with new ones. Other times it helps you promote a business, open up your prospect base, or even just share fun information/pictures/facts.
Other times, still, it's good for finding random fun information. A girl I used to know also writes a blog. This, her latest post, was recently re-posted by her to Facebook. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you, Marielle. :-)
Other times, still, it's good for finding random fun information. A girl I used to know also writes a blog. This, her latest post, was recently re-posted by her to Facebook. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you, Marielle. :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)