I need inspiration for this work week

Don't you just hate it when...

… a 'friend' plays off nosiness as concern. 

… a 'friend' thinks they are close enough to you that they can infringe on your privacy. After all, they are 'only' doing it because they care.

Here's a thought 'friend', if I don't share something with you it is because I want to oh I don't know, keep it private!

Unexpected message

Funny and a light read is all I expected from Mindy Kaling's book 'Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?' and it was just that, a funny, quick 2 days read. It's always a nice surprise to find an expectedly deep message, a phrase or a sentence that gets to you on a personal level. I found it a quarter of the way. Mindy is going to her first network job interview. (Being the same age as her I feel it is ok I call her by her first name. She can do the same.) It was a big deal this interview. Chances of getting the job were slim to none, yet, she is optimist and says, "I'm the kind of person who would rather get my hope up really high and watch them get dashed to pieces than wisely keep my expectations at bay and hope they are exceeded." The interview was a total disaster but her attitude was on point and it has taken her this far. In introspect, how often do I keep my expectations at bay? Unequivocally every time. For fear of failure and concern of not having a steady income I have kept my expectations moderate. A good case can me made for staying moderate, I don't have a bad life after all. Still, at this point in my life I'd rather think big and have this big plan, idea or whatever it may be crash into a million wondrous pieces than to simply adapt to whatever comes my way. 

Sometimes I want to punch Pinterest in the face

Pinterest is the easiest way to waste an entire Saturday. Yesterday morning I went to the gym and then drove over to the office I work at to put in a few extra hours. Yes, I do lead a gripping life. I came home around 3:30pm to have myself a nice linner accompanied by a glass of wine and 7 straight hours of Pinterest. 

Pin after pin of perfectly arranged information catered to my likes, wants and desires. Pinterest knows what I like and how I like it. Example is this brilliant little idea to Set Your Makeup With Cornstarch. My mother would use cornstarch when my nephews had diaper rashes so why would I ever use to cook (or anything else for that matter) something that was used on a baby's butts? Not me. Well guess who now keeps cornstarch on her shelf? This girl does. And just when I thought I had cleared my Pinterest of anything unwanted, someone I follow will have a life changing event and my Pinterest will turn on me. It turned on me a couple of weeks ago when I started to get 'Mr. and Mrs. pins. First it was a necklace with the word 'Mrs.' on it. "Oh good, now I know how to properly address you. I was just going to call you by your name but now I know it's 'Mrs.' followed by your actual name", I thought to myself. Then there was 'Mr. and Mrs.' pillow covers. Ok, as a person who cannot sleep if it's not with my favorite pillow, I guess I can see the practicality in being able to quickly identify mine. Although why would I have so many pillows that I would need to have mine labeled Mrs. in order to find it? But my favorite, my absolute favorite, was the 'Happy Ever After' shower curtain. Give me a break. You might as well never have anyone over - ever! - 'cause they will be thinking the same thing I will be thinking… no one is that f'n happy!

Singles Advice #1: Look Your Best

My last blog was a review of Cafe Piccolo, at least that's what it started out to be. In the middle of writing it I realized it was turning into more than just a review, it was becoming an advice piece as well, if even just on a personal level, on how to better approach your single status. You don't always want that single status and the power to change it is in your hands but often there is self work that needs to be done and no one is going to do it for you. So lets lay down some foundations, the sturdy concrete on which we will continue to build on...one brick at a time.  

Look Your Best

If you are going to go out after 7:00pm on a Friday or Saturday for more than just an errand, you have plans. Lets make that clear. You are going alone or with someone, doesn't matter, you have plans. You have plans for coffee alone, plans to see a movie with a friend, plans for a happy-hour with colleagues, plans for dinner with that guy your happily taken girlfriend has insisted you meet. Do yourself a favor and look your best. If it's simple, merchandise it up. Make sure your hair is in order. Pull it all back to fake styling but only if it's a good look for you. My girlfriend Teresa pulls it off perfectly. Me, not so much. I have a lot of baby hair and it look like I'm not trying at all.

Why is looking your best the best idea? I could make an entire list of reasons. I won't do that to keep this blog short and sweet but here are two - nah duh! - reasons. I feel really bad for an obviously single girl who put no effort in herself and is surrounded by a group of friends who look good. Now I know you are probably thinking, 'maybe she is not single but actually very taken, maybe she is the only "taken" one of the whole group'. Well I feel even worse for her if that's the case. When did she stop trying? Did she put the ball & chain on him and the "Let Yourself Go Fairy" appear to make her wish of never trying again come true? Cause that's what it looks like, snap snap! If you are of a more gentle kind heart and this seems a little too vain and mean of a reason, then consider my second. Do it because you should always put your best forward. If this was your career, would you not turn in your best work? You would spend countless hours and go through hundreds of slides to put together a PowerPoint for a 10 minute presentation, wouldn't you? Then why not put a little work into yourself for a 5 minute introduction that could be the first 5 minutes of the rest of your life.  

Restaurant Review: Cafe Piccolo

If being named "Long Beach's Most Romantic Restaurant" doesn't turn you off and make you want to jump off a bridge because you were just made a little more aware than yesterday of your singleness, then you must try Cafe Piccolo. Search Romantic Dinner + Long Beach in Yelp and in your top searches will be Cafe Piccolo. My stumble onto Cafe Piccolo wasn't plans for a romantic dinner for one - 'Espy table of one, Espy table of one' - it was a plan that I made several months ago. I said I would get to know the city I have lived in for almost 2 years one must eat/drink/play spot at a time. I began with the easiest and most favorite, a must eat. This little find happens to be 0.65 miles, or a 1 minute drive based on current traffic, so it was an easy decision. 

I made reservations for 7:45 (highly recommend making reservations) and went to get city night ready.

Cafe Piccolo looks romantic on the outside and gets even more romantic inside with a dimly lit space filled of small soft white lights. The place is ideal for a love infused dinner and drinking too much vine followed by locking eyes, quickly leaving and immediate baby making. It beckons! I live 0.65 so this scenario is plausible.

My dinner started with the Bruschetta. OMG! I have had plenty of Bruschetta in my life but this one was special. It didn't look any different than any other I have had before but it was so much yummier than any other. The tomato was fresh and overflowed over the almost pita like thin grilled italian bread. You could taste the fresh basil, olive oil and strong garlic. Magnifico! For the main dish went with the Grilled Beef Terderloin served over Cauliflower Mashed Potato in Balsamic Portobello Sauce. The beef tenderloin was cooked perfectly and I could have eaten all the mashed potato in one swallow but I held back - quality versus quantity. Remember that and you will can stop guilty tripping. The real treat however, was the Balsamic Portobello Sauce. Salty, sweet and tangy. It was almost like a gravy but not thick or overwhelming. It was simply divine. My review wouldn't be complete if I didn't point out some the not so great. I'll be simple. Service could be better. From the owner/ host who is much too casual about reservations. The waiter should have come to the table sooner after being seated. I like my vino asap to allow enough sobering time. I don't drive drunk anymore. There is a girl going around the restaurant replenishing the bead, she came by once. I pretty much despised her because of course, I have too much pride to ask for bread for fear that I might get that look. You know, the "are you sure your waistline can afford another pound, bread is really bad when you are trying to loose weight." 

There will be more dinners at Cafe Piccolo however, next on my list is Sky Bar. The name already says cool.

I'm Back!

Has anything happened since I last posted on August 28, 2012? I know it has been a while, but over a year? That cannot be! Please tell me I didn't miss anything? Is the world still round?

It has been a whirlwind year of love sickness and professional stagnation. Both improving. Not going to dwell. Thank you for caring! I went from having all the time in the world for my romantic and social life to having to bring work home and forgetting to eat. These are sacrifices for the good of food and shelter so they must be done but - oooooh - how I've missed my venting medium. 

I can't wait to share my Chicago trip, local Long Beach restaurant review, and for my deep piece, why you should be with someone who loves you more than you love them...