#3: Keep in Touch with Friends and Family

Every year, this goes on my list of new year's resolutions. Every year, I fail miserably.

I've got the Dad, Mom, Erin and Grandma thing down--I keep up with them quite well. Mainly because they call me. Except Mom, I have to track her down. She did give me life so I suppose I can manage a phone call or two.

I'm not so good at managing all other family members and my dearest friends.

It's quite sad. It's not for lack of desire--these people mean very much to me and often I think of them while going through the day-to-day motions. What I've realized is that life in general is pretty mundane, and even though I thought of Renee when I found those awesome flips at Target Saturday, telling her two weeks later is just not as interesting. It's like I need to keep a list of all the things I want to tell her when I do talk to her. Lists...hmmm...I sense a theme in my life.

I also hate the phone. Yes, I do. I spend all day on conference calls and pretty much throw my Treo in a drawer after work--until I've had 1-3 glasses of wine and become tempted to respond to the 21 emails I've received SINCE 6pm and tell people how I really feel. I write it out, then delete it. It's theraputic.

Back to the phone. I don't like it. I try to manage my phone time sitting in Atlanta traffic. But sometimes I'm too fried after work to even carry on a conversation.

And Facebook, as if I didn't have enough to do. Now I have a gaggle of friends I have to "re" connect with--even if it is just writing an email, it takes TIME. Time is not something I have very much of (and it's about to get much worse, more on that later).

Maybe I'll start writing letters--I seem to enjoy the writing thing. Or quit my job. That would free up all kinds of time.

Renee, Tracey, Shannon, Joanna, Ame, Sam, Courtney and even (as pathetic as this is) my local girlfriends (and Chuck!)--mission critical to reach out and touch someone. Promise.

#001: Random Observation

I was up at the lake this weekend, and while still on my quest to "perfect" the townhome for sale I found myself browsing through HomeGoods. I noticed that THIS HomeGoods (in Cumming, GA) was extremely well organized, and the quality of the goods (and sheer numbers of them!) very different from the HomeGoods in Atlanta.

I, of course, also browsed the shoes, bags, dresses and other clothing. Coach shoes went untouched, Tahari suits were in abundance, Max Studio, Marc Jacobs, Free People, Theory--they were all there, in a variety of sizes, styles and colors to choose from.

For those of you who have hit the TJX stores (and you know you have no matter what you want your friends to think, you fashionista) you know it's a crap shoot and the good stuff typically comes in size 0 or 14.

Then it occured to me--these rednecks know nothing about fashion. WalMart brings the sexy for rural America. As Scott would say--"it's the socio-economic differences". My blog's not that smart.

As we city people continue to invade--yes, our lake house "used" to be in the woods--the plethora of name brands might not last. But for now, I will enjoy my little secret and keep on encouraging the locals that WalMart rules (oh those Gloria Vanderbilt jeans look FABULOUS on you neighbor lady--yes, absolutely).

P.S. I bought a pillow.

#20: See a dermatologist

Accomplished. Made the appointment AND saw the doctor, all in the same day. Warding off (hopefully) melanoma for at least one more year. She did a biopsy on one suspicious little bugger.

She also slapped my tush. Twice. Really.

The first time it happened, I was a little startled. the second time, I laughed out of sheer disbelief.

She asked me to stand so she could take a look at the backs of my legs. then, with two hands she slapped the top of my tush. Then she did it again, and said " I don't know how you wear these things". These "things" would be my thong. My response (beyond laughter) was that I would not have worn it had I known I was coming in for an appointment.

I know of no medical reason that would require a dermatologist to slap my tush. Needless to say, this is quite possibly one of the oddest experiences I have ever had at a doctor's office.

I think I'll look for a new dermatologist with less of a desire to "give me some skin".

#17: Plant Flowers in the Springtime

They died. Every last one of them on the back deck. It is hotter than the hell in which I will end up one day. The tender little blossoms could not survive, despite being branded as "SUN" flowers by the orange home improvement store where marriages go to die. The drought certainly did not help.

Anyone who thinks our current biblical weather is a fluke is sorely mistaken. These droughts, tornados, earthquakes, floods, extreme cold and heat are no accident. I have one question: when can I expect the locusts?

It's at this point I give fair warning that I'm about to go dark.

I have been fascinated with the existence of life as we know it since childhood. The why, how, and what does it all mean. Depsite my Catholic upbringing, I am pretty damn certain I was not born of Adam and Eve--nor that human kind is cursed because that bitch ate an apple.

It's because of this fascination that I am so appreciative of everything that makes up our existence--such as flowers in the springtime. It also makes me a believer in ideas and theory's frequently associated with "crazy people". If no one has the answers, then WHY NOT?

What do I mean? Why not believe there is other life out there, why not believe that there is a 3rd dimension, why not believe that history repeats itself, why not believe there is some ancient secret we will all become privy to when we die?

Heavy, I know. But it puts it all in perspective when the recruitment advertising war lords are doing battle with my pipeline.

One such theory is that of "2012". Decemeber 21st to be exact. Scientists, religious pontifs, astronomers, historians and psychics all have their own ideas on this theory. What is unique is this: they all agree on the outcome--the end of civilization as we know it.

I encourage you to do a little exploring on this theory if it is the first you are hearing of it. The cliff notes can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11iCmzGnOI8. Those wishing to explore a little further (and have no need for sleep) can read: Apocolypse 2012--a Scientific Investigation into Civilizations End.

Did I mention my Dad told me about all this when I was 11?

#23: Have more girl time

Judging by the video, I think you would agree this was one hell of a girls night. My sister hates me for this--she doesn't see the humor in it. But she also doesn't read my blog.

Some of you may have seen it already--it's from March. I do get out more than once a year. Lately very tired however. I mean, Scott went to see Sex in the City with me--is that not so wrong?

#30: Buy a House

It looks like I may be moving. Scott has decided he wants to sell the townhome--thinks it's time to move on, and sell it while there is still money to be made before the housing market really tanks (you think it's bad now...).

The plan is to rent for a while--not an option I am particularily thrilled about. My house is my security, I like knowing it's mine. When you rent you can't paint, you don't really want to decorate, your furniture might not fit, you can't really do home improvement projects (yes, I actually enjoy these) and it just feels so...temporary.

The rationale behind the plan, however, is strong. Wait it out, 6 months to a year, and buy a dream home when the market really tanks and buyers make out like bandits.

While not exactly what I was hoping for, a step in the right direction I suppose.

#19: Cut down on travel for work

As much as I miss Scott and Gizmo, and dread leaving every time I have to, the fact is this: I have to travel for my job. That being the case, I need to start taking advantage of the opportunity and exploring more terrain of the cities I visit. Rather than ordering room service and movie in whatever hotel happens to be home for the night.

Case in point: I'm in LA. I flew across the country for a 1-hour meeting. Depsite 3 hours of sleep last night, a 7am 5-hour flight, and a full day West Coast time (translation: 5am eastern to 8pm eastern work day) I decided to do a driving tour of places I had never seen in the flesh. And I'm super glad I did.

LA is a sprawling city--and with traffic, it's difficult to get too far despite 4 hours of travel time. I went from Pasadena to downtown to Beverly Hills, through Hollywood and back. A few observations:

1) Rodeo drive looks a lot bigger on TV
2) ...as does the Chinese theater
3) Hollywood is cheezy, but lots of fun
4) LA has really bad road (maybe because they are all carved through mountains?)

I REALLY wanted to explore the hills: think Laurel Canyon Rd, Mulholland Drive, etc. But I am a chicken-shit, and deathly afraid of heights. I might have had a panic attack and lose my ability to drive. Scott needs to be with me on THAT trip.

And he will, someday. We discussed exploring all of Californ-i-a. I'm looking forward to it.

For now, it's time for room service and movie. See, I can have the best of both worlds.

#29: Stop biting my nails

As with every other time I say I'm going to do this, I last 2-3 months and then temptation gets the best of me. This time however, I had help.

For Erin's wedding, I had acrylic nails done--pink and white--and they were gorgeous. I even maintained them for two refills, and felt like a grown up for once. But last night, after a lovely king crab leg dinner and one bottle of wine too many, I decided to start cracking them off...with my teeth. Kellie and Karina must have thoroughly enjoyed the sound of me gnawing this thick--I don't even know that the f to call it--off my finernails. They said nothing, but in hindsight, it was probably pretty disgustig to watch. Sorry.

So this morning, the reality of what I had done to my fingernails became quite clear--some were free the the thick stuff, others had little "chunks" left on them. What to do about the chun--omg Gizmo just farted something fierce--back to the blog, chunks you ask? This was quite helpful:
http://www.howtodothings.com/fashion-and-personal-care/a2649-how-to-remove-acrylic-nails.html

Yes, I used cotton balls soaked in acetone, and wrapped one around each finger using tin foil. I looked ridiculous, smelled even worse, and think I gave my dog a contact buzz. For all that effort, my nails still look like shit and I have a feeling it's going to be awhile before they are respectable again. So I'm back at square one.

Is it worth it? Yes, I still think so.

But I'd like to take another shot at making it happen naturally.