1. I contacted a classmate of mine with whom I'm not having the optimal experience. I've been avoiding dealing with this situation, putting it off for a few weeks. I could have easily sent an email and walked away, but I didn't feel that behavior had any integrity in it. So I called her and presented to her how I was feeling. She was receptive to hearing it and we spoke again a few days later. I think the conversation was an example and exercise in honesty and integrity in an emotionally intimate situation. I owned my part in our dynamic and took responsibility for what I did that offended her. I would write more here, but I feel that isn't respectful of the private conversation she and I had. We're going to speak again this weekend and hopefully finish up clearing the space and move forward. I am cautiously optimistic about things at this point. And I'm proud of myself for taking a step towards fear instead of running away from it as I easily could have done.
2. Scent can have such a powerful effect on my mood. Last year a friend introduced me to Fresh. I picked up a free sample of their Sugar fragrance and was hooked. I love wearing it. It smells clean and inviting without being overpowering.
3. Last week I had practicum training for my course. I was dreading this call as it was being taught by the instructor who I felt humiliated by in the past. Personally I wish someone would time how many minutes she speaks and how many minutes students get to speak cause it seems like she does A LOT of talking even though we're the ones who are supposed to be coaching. Anyway, I didn't have to perform that day. Despite she and I being like oil and water I asked questions when they arose. Her answers were always the same spiel over and over. I swear..do they say memorize this speech and just keep repeating it and people will believe you?
At the end of the call a peer opened up about a fear she had in starting her business. The instructor responded and then I jumped in (ever the instructor) and said hey..this is just an idea so you can take it or leave it, but how about when you take that next step that you're scared of taking you tell us in the class message boards so that we can celebrate your success. This was received well by the instructor and the student. A few days later I received an email from this peer thanking me for supporting her. It was nice to get that I have to say. It is the first email I have received from any student in class.
4. Last week I happened to be in the neighborhood where Basis is located. So I decided to stop in personally to restart my subscription. I asked them to add yogurt to my order and all of a sudden I found myself being given containers and containers of free yogurt from different creameries. I spent some time talking to the people there who were telling me more about how Basis is expanding and then took my yogurt, blueberries, and plums home. I never expected stopping by would result in all these goodies coming home with me.
5. A few weeks ago while at Borders 4 blocks from my place I noticed that Chris Guillebeau was scheduled to speak in September. I recently posted something about how sometimes being the non-conformist sucks cause it means I'm alone. And then I saw the title of the book Chris was in New York to promote: The Art of Non-Conformity. So I got off my butt and went to see Chris speak. If you like to travel, or if you don't like adhering to the status quo way of life, or if you are trying to set up a small business read Chris' blog.
6. Jonathan Fields introduced Chris at the book signing and shared a concept called the Zillion Sum Game that Jonathan Unger had shared with him in conversation. This concept is a counterpoint to the scary idea that life is a zero sum game. It lined up with some things in my class so I was excited to learn more about it. To no avail. So I befriended Jonathan Fields on Facebook and asked him directly about it. To which he responded that he had just written a blog post about this very topic. I shared this link in the class forum. How many students responded? 1. 1 frickin student. And the head of the program responded. They both loved the concept and totally agreed that it was in line with what we were learning. As for the other 50 or so people...whatever.
7. A friend shared a story about someone from my past. It was unexpected and I was a little surprised to hear it. Like a wound that is healing it pressed on that place slightly and yet it didn't hurt as much as it used to. Something about the story released me. I haven't fixated on it as I would have before. I'm thankful not to have that presence in my life anymore.
8. I returned home on Tuesday to see a No Parking sign attached to the street sign right outside my building informing us that one of my favorite shows White Collar was going to be filming here. Awesome! I was excited. So at 5am I went downstairs to investigate, but there were only a few people setting up. At noon I went outside to discover signs leading to the set. They were shooting in the parking lot area of the former Tavern on the Green. I saw most of the cast, but almost missed seeing Matt Bomer because for once he was dressed in jeans. They were just rehearsing and the sun was blazing so I stayed for a few minutes and left. It was somewhat boring actually. And yes Matt Bomer is cute in person.
If you watch the show you know that this week was the final episode until January and the cliffhanger was sad. If you haven't seen the finale episode stop reading here. SPOILER ALERT: Obviously Mozzie getting shot cannot end his life. Willie Garson's character adds the comic relief to this show and he makes a great sidekick from the criminal part of Neal's life. Here is a 2 minute clip of Willie Garson talking about working with Matt Bomer.
8. Every article of clothing that sat in the ever-growing pile on the floor in my apartment has been washed. I never thought I had a lot of clothes, but apparently I do as I can go for a long time wearing clean clothes while the laundry basket fills up.
9. I went through the binders we were sent for class page-by-page. There are a number of personal exercises in there which aren't bad. There is also a lot of FILLER material which is crap in my opinion as they are just excerpts from the books we were required to purchase and read anyway. Lame with a capital L.
10. This summer I saw the work of Rawtoastdesign at the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn. One print in particular struck me, but in an effort to be fiscally conservative I did not purchase it. I was recently looking at the print on the artist's website and thinking about it again. And then on Facebook a few days later the artist Jesse Kuhn wrote about a project he was asking for our support on. If we voted for a particular school on Facebook in some contest to receive funding and sent him a screen shot of this we could pick out a free print from his store!!!! Done and Done! Awesome. You can check out his prints for sale here.
11. A blogger whose site I've followed for a few years and whose art sits framed next to my bed on my bookcase is coming to NYC is a few weeks. I may have the opportunity to meet her...if I can get out of my dumb class on time. (Last week class ran over by 40 minutes!) If you want to read a blog that has gorgeous images and writing and whereupon reading it from start to finish you witness one woman's journey, transformation, healing, grieving, moving forward click here.
12. Had powerful sessions with both my therapist and my coach. For the first time in as long as I can remember they both told me they were proud of me. I'm glad in a world where everyone is too self-absorbed (me included) to really sit and consider another's situation that someone seems to be really seeing me.
