Exciting News

WorkAwesome.com is a website for people who love what they do, and want to become awesome at it.  It provides resources for work-life balance, work productivity, management, etc.  

On the site you can find useful articles about starting things, completing things, and trying new things -- and being "awesomely productive" when doing so. 

Readers have the opportunity to contribute by submitting articles for consideration.  I am excited to share with you that my piece was accepted and featured on the website on 9/5.  I wrote an article titled "How to Manage Career Transition Stress", something of which I had an insider's view. 

You can link to the article directly here. Or, copy/paste the following URL into your address bar:  http://workawesome.com/career/career-transition/

Comments / feedback is great appreciated.  Please share the article with those whom you feel might benefit.  

Thanks to everyone for your support!  

xx

Local Business Love

We kicked off the Labor Day weekend by going to Moveable Feast in San Mateo, a food truck event happening the first Friday of every month.  The food truck craze has taken the nation by storm.  So much so that Food Network has a realty TV show devoted to just food trucks.  Yes, drama does ensue in the lives of these proprietors.  Over the past year, food trucks have moved east and south, offering food outside of San Francisco.  As a result, food truck events have been popping up everywhere. 

It's a win-win.  Consumers are able to taste a variety of different foods and learn that creative and innovative and damn tasty eats can be hashed out of a food truck.  Local businesses / entrepreneurs can showcase their cooking chops and interact with their customers in a whole new way.

While all of this is fine and dandy, that's not to say that there isn't criticism associated with these food trucks.  The most resonating is the fact that some trucks will charge you and arm and a leg for their food.  Sometimes it's worth it, and unfortunately, sometimes it's not.  You'll often hear me say that I'll drop good money for quality food.  And so, when I fork out $7-$10 for an entree from a food truck, it better deliver the goods.  I do believe that some businesses will charge a higher rate simply because the appeal and allure of a "food truck" somehow elevates the food.  For instance, I paid $7 for a grilled cheese sandwich, with prosciutto and basil aioli.  It was good.. but, I ultimately felt like given the same ingredients, I could've produced the same sammich. And it certainly wasn't worth the price tag. 

That being said, it's a balance.  Support these local businesses without breaking the bank (or being exploited).  At the end of the night, after hours spent noshing on sammiches, Hawaiianese, Vietnamese, desserts and more, and chilling with the community of food truck-ees, it was clear to me that these events are really great for the community.  It brings an awareness to these "Mom-and-Pop" shops and, in many cases, deservedly so. 

The last vendor we visited tonight wasn't even a food truck.  It was a clothing company called Vivi Kids, selling mainly children's wear.  The proprietors are a boyfriend-girlfriend duo who have a love of graphic design that they bring it to the masses.  They're both cool cats and down-to-earth, and I felt really good about supporting their business. 

We had seen them during a couple months back at the same event.  We hadn't purchased anything but liked their stuff.  This time around, we bought a shirt for my godson [4T! so that he has room to grow] with, as I would later learn, their latest character, Po Panda. 

As we were leaving, I said to my hubby, "It really does feel good supporting local businesses.  I hope they survive in this economy."  It's a rough world out there, in every aspect, even more so when you're hustling every day.  But a good, quality product will find its audience and grow.  All the best..!  Live strong and thrive.

Sandwich of the Day: “Jalapeno Popper” Grilled Cheese

Came across this sandwich today and it looked too amazing not to share.  I've definitely put this sandwich on my To Do List.  This inventive take on a classic has my tummy rumbling.

Follow this link to find out more and start grillin' your perfect sammich today! 

My DVR: For Better or For Worse

Or, How My DVR Has Changed My Life

 

I have been video taping my favorite TV shows for as long as I can remember.  It got to the point where I could, and I’m dating myself by saying this, program my VCR like that.  With the advent of DVR, or digital video recording, one would expect my habits to be more of the same, if not slightly more tech-ier (yes, it IS a word).  The results, I’m guilty to admit, are less to be desired. 

Anyone who has been accustomed to their DVR can attest to this statement to a certain degree:  I find myself wanting to rewind certain things in my life (or, have the same functionality of a DVR for moments in my life).  For instance, I was listening to the radio this morning when the traffic report came on.  I zoned out for a mere two seconds before realizing the reporter was speaking traffic talk.  My first thought was, “Oh wait, can I rewind that?  Maybe she mentioned something important about my commute. Oh wait, I can’t.  Because this is real life.”  Gotcha.  Or, another unabashed example was at work.  I was taking notes during a meeting and could not keep up with the person talking.  He was on warp speed and I was just getting on the freeway.  I thought it would’ve been so perfect if I could just pause him (a la “Out of This World” – who remembers that fine piece of television programming?). 

I also find myself watching too much TV.  As I often times explain, “I have so many taped shows that I have to do a DVR-watching session just to make room for more shows.”  That statement in itself is a vicious circle.  I think I’m fairly active and there’s enough in my life to keep me from being glued to the boob tube, but every once in a while I like to lay like broccoli, clear my mind, and watch an episode of Gossip Girl.  And that will usually lead to that night’s episode of Conan, the previous night’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and on and on.  I’ve found too many different types of programming to watch, many thing to the Guide.  Oh how easy it is nowadays to view what’s airing next week on any given channel.  Remember the one lonesome guide channel that gave you a scrolling list of the TV shows for the next 90 minutes?

Before I completely call myself out, I’ll stop at this – I’ve gotten too spoiled.  Rarely do I ever catch a program “live”.  Why would I watch it in real-time when I could wait 15-20 minutes and forward through the commercials?  I used to like commercials, found them charming and creative.  Now I’m desensitized and, save for the occasional iTunes/Apple commercial with those damningly catchy songs, couldn’t tell you what the latest advertisements are gracing my television screen.  On the contrary, DVR does give you the freedom to go about your life.  I don’t have to go home to watch my favorite show. I can instead choose to spend time with friends and / or family with the comfort of knowing my DVR has got my TV cravings taken care of. 

Over the years, I’ve grown a love-hate relationship with my DVR.  I couldn’t fully give it up, nor would I want I choose to do such a thing.  I’ll just have to accept that I cannot pause life, continue to live it and be in the moment, and give the couch potato in me a big hug (and a good slap in the face every now and then).   

SPAM: Like!

As I do on many drives to work, I was listening one morning to the Stuff You Should Know podcast (from HowStuffWorks.com).  I had downloaded a handful of podcasts to listen to and was absolutely giddy when I saw an episode titled "How SPAM Works".  Giddy because I love SPAM.  No, I'm not talking about email junk crap, but the meat product with the recognizable label. 

Filipinos, too, love SPAM.  So much so that SPAM is a staple in many a Filipino household (along with Vienna sausages and corned beef).  In fact, SPAM is so popular in Filipino cuisine that it is actually part of many breakfast options in the (suffix) "-silog" family. SPAMsilog is a breakfast of fried spam slices, garlic fried rice, and a sunny side up fried egg with a garnish of sliced tomato and sometimes pineapple chunks along with chili-garlic vinegar for dipping. And yes, that's exactly how I prefer to enjoy SPAM.

But the big question that I just could not get out of my head was, WHY?  Why is it that Filipinos love SPAM and how did this romance blossom?

Ever the curious monkey, I decided to get to the bottom of this.  In the search bar, I started typing "why do filipinos like".  I have to take a moment here and just say that the plethora of "suggested" searches was hilarious.  Try it out for yourself. 

Search results for "why do filipinos like spam" didn't garner much.  There were some message boards that stipulated the same question, but no conclusive answer. 

Many answers concluded that SPAM is hugely popular in Filipino culture for one of two reasons, and I think these two make the most sense.  The first reason is that people like convenience, and SPAM works well since it is canned and needs not be refrigerated; this is most likely a result of the next reasoning which harkens back to WWII.  American service men were stationed in the area, and the shortage of fresh meat to the troops required canned or processed meat.  The local people were given it, and the rest is history as they say.  Added to that, I personally believe that Filipinos also love the saltiness of SPAM and the fact that you can fry it.  It's no coincidence that Filipinos have a higher rate of heart disease.  Just saying...

So, there you have it.  Nothing earth shattering, but interesting nonetheless.  Plus, researching SPAM is hugely fun.  The amount of products and social media devoted to SPAM is impressive.  If you want to learn a little bit more about SPAM, check out the Stuff You Should Know podcast. 

Blame it on the Grammy's

This year's Grammy Awards show was actually quite entertaining for me.  I can't actually recall how long it's been since I watched the entire show.  But this past Sunday night, that's exactly what we did (save for the commercials).  I thought the mix of performers was great.  The fact that I knew them all and are fans of many was a huge plus.  I also appreciate the Grammy's because it invigorates me and often inspires me to check out new music and artists [Hello - Esmeralda Spalding? Who saw that one coming?].

It's because of the Grammy's that I rekindled my May-December romance with Mumford & Sons and The Avett Brothers.  I downloaded a handful of songs from the former and just the song performed from the latter.  Mumford & Sons' performance was cool; maybe it was the banjo player, whom I swear was humping his banjo, that really caught my eye.  Whatever it was, I took a fancy to them again, beyond the Little Lion Man.  "The Cave" and "Awake My Soul" are great pieces.  But it's because of the Grammy's that, as I approached the incline on the San Mateo bridge this morning, I was belting out the following words:

But it was not your fault but mine
And it was your heart on the line
I really fucked it up this time
Didn't I, my dear? (x2)

Super Bowl 2011

Thoughts on the big game this year.  I have only a handful.

The national anthem:  Admittedly, it sounded off when Christina Aguilera started singing the second line (wrong, btw) instead of the fourth, but I have to say that I was preparing my stopwatch to time how long it took her to sing the note of the word "brave".  ;-)  Anyways, performance for me wasn't Christina-esque. Or, maybe it was and I just wasn't feeling it.  FAIL.  

The game:  Just okay.  Maybe it's because I had no real allegiance to either team, but I found the game rather boring.  There were a few show stopper plays, but the game itself I couldn't really get into.  It should be noted that I was rooting for Troy and Clay whenever they or their team had a good play.  And no, I wasn't rooting for Aaron Rodgers.  Not because he went to Cal (although that would be a valid reason), but because I'm still bitter after all of these years.  Bitter because - and it still hurts to even say it - he could have been a Niner.  :: sigh ::

The commercials:  Again, just okay.  I thought the etrade commercial was cute.  "Shh.."  Lol.  And the Doritos ones were kinda funny.  A handful more garnered a chuckle out of me, but since I can't recollect them right now, they obviously weren't that great.  My absolute favorite commercial, one that I'm sure millions of people will agree on, is the Volkswagen Darth Vader commercial with that little kid.  Best! 



The halftime show:  Now, I know a lot of people drank haterade during the halftime show because hella people were complaining afterwards.  The Black Eyed Peas are known for their dance beats and sometimes that just doesn't translate live.  I think Fergie sounded off, and could someone explain to me what the eff the sound engineer was doing..!!  Seriously, the sound mixing was awful and really took away from a decent performance.  Slash = cool, Fergie "singing" along = FAIL.  Usher = awesome.  Bringing back the running man = A+.  Tron-like theatrics and dance pumping beats.  It was a solid "B".

Post-shows:  Glee was actually not half bad.  And the 'Don't Stop Believing' SF Giants special was really cool.  Great to re-live those memories, especially the day after Fan Fest (oh, don't even get me started on that..).