Conversations at a Coffee House

Octogenarian: "You guys writing a screenplay?"

Boss/Business Partner: "Excuse me?"

O: "Are you screen writers? You know, here for the festival?"

B: "Oh. Uh. No. We're just here doing some work. Planning. Talking about..."

O, mumbles: "If she were my wife, I'd listen to everything she had to say, too!" (grabs my arm briefly)

Boss, uncertain -- exactly -- what he said, makes some kind of joke.

The old man, feeling that the environment is safe (his test was successful) and he's not going to be taken out by a younger man, grabs my arm a little bit longer, a little more aggressively and pulls. Makes some other joke about having me around or my looks.

B: "You in the film industry?"

O: "Oh no. I'm worth about 2 billion dollars." (Glances at me.)

B: "Oh. Really?"

O: "I'm in the coal mining business."

B: "Good business to be in?"

You'll notice, that so far, he's been flirting with me THROUGH ANOTHER MAN!

O: "Well, I made my first half million that way. Then I struck gold. Made my first billion. Then found more gold. Made my second billion." Looks to me, pointedly, "So I have money."

Me: "Haha. Let's talk!" (Not sarcastic enough, I think.)

B: "I'd love to talk to you! What are we doing here?"

The Octogenarian, somewhat less than amused half-heartedly laughs, mumbles something, and wanders away (to come up with another plan of attack).

O, coming back: "Ok. One more thing, if you only had one vacation left in your life, where would you go?"

Clearly, I can't answer "St. John" or "Hawaii" or "Europe." Even "Australia" seemed too risky. So I go for one of my immediate top 3, ambitious enough for LAST TRIP OF MY LIFE: "Antarctica." Nothing says romantic interlude like that, right?

O: "What?"

E: "Antarctica."

O: "Antarctica??" Looks at boss questioningly and says, "And you?"

B: "Africa."

Of course, the Octogenarian brushes that off, looks at me and says, "How about Elko?"

E: "Elko... Nevada??"

O: "Yes. Nevada." Looks at boss: "There are gold mines," looks at me and points, "and whorehouses."

Yes. The whorehouse it going to seal the deal. You're pulling out the money shot, because when ACTUAL money doesn't work, prostitution always does. I'll pack up my stuff right now. See you later, boss!

B: "Gold mines and gold diggers! I'm with you. If she doesn't take you up on it, I'm climbing in your car right now."

O: "Well, I have three sons and they're watching EVERY DIME!"

The conversation petered out from there. When my boss got up to get some food and I was alone for a minute, the man came back for one last shot, "Does he beat you with that baseball bat?"

E: "I beat him."

And therein lies the end of his dreams. Poor man. Poor me -- literally. I'm second-guessing my role in life. Thinking about getting "Gold Digging for Dummies" and trying again.

This is why I do what I do.

This is what marketing, branding and strategy are all about. I get emotional every time I watch this ad, for so many reasons. This is what the job is about. This is perfection.

And on Labor Day, she rested from her labors.

And she called it good.

Sigh No More

This song is making me so happy.

By Mumford and Sons.

Imagine snuggling up in this.

I have a friend whose Mom makes quilts. Big, luscious, fluffy, handmade, beautiful quilts. And I love quilts. So. Much. I don't love quilting, but I should start loving it, because I want closets full of quilts.

So, given my love, it's no surprise that I've been begging for a quilt for years. Since before I graduated high school, I'm sure. I always got the answer, "My mom says she'll make you one when you get married." And yet? I persisted. What about for my 20th birthday? What about for college graduation? What about for my 25th birthday? What about for your wedding anniversary? What about a quilt celebrating my first house? None of these were successful.

And then, one day, not too long ago, my friend called out of the blue and said, "Ok. My mom said she'll make you a quilt now." And I died. Right then and there. I sent a few color palettes as inspiration and today, I learned that they're shopping for the fabric. AS I TYPE THIS! It won't be too long before I'm snuggled up in a quilt inspired by this:

(via Inspired Bride, but useful for quilts, too?? In fact, I love her color palettes for pretty much any reason. They're so... well... inspiring.)

Unless you walk...

out into the unknown, the odds of making a profound difference in your life are pretty low.

-Tom Peters

Putting myself in foster care.

For the last few weeks, I've been putting myself up for adoption, or at least out for foster care, during FHE. I've never really done FHE before, and I have to say, it's pretty great.

Week 1: Watched a movie about President Monson with an older couple in the ward. We were singing a closing song when -- right in between verses -- the husband says, "You can come back anytime. You don't look half as old as they said you'd look!"

Week 2: Roasted hot dogs and pineapple over the fire, went on a hike up the canyon, played "Mafia," sang every song that came to mind (including some dramatic acting and interpretations), and made S'Mores with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. TASTY!

Week 3: Talent show. Seen here (and heard here, too, if you listen carefully):

All the sorrow and trouble...

of this world is caused by unhappy people. The search for contentment is, therefore, not merely a self-benefiting act, but also a generous gift to the world.

~Elizabeth Gilbert

Maybe I'm just buying some self-justification with this quote, but I think it's a nice idea. And kind of true??

Above all...

watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you, because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

~Roald Dahl

I'm loving this song for real.

This is a song that is not embarrassing for me to have in my library.

Listen to it.

Immediately.

On repeat.

Also this song makes me happy.

(I guess the media player doesn't show up in Google Reader, so hop on over to the blog. You'll be happy you did.)