How do you come across?

Posted by random olio

Do you ever wonder what others think of you? Do you ever wonder if others think about how they are coming across, or how they are portraying themselves? I recently finished the book: “Friendkeeping” by Julie Klam. She discusses all types of friendships in her life, which ones feed and fuel her and which ones suck the life out of her. A quote from her book made me think of friends, but it can also really apply to anyone in our life.

“A lot of times people don’t realize how they’re coming across, and sometimes you need to tell them.” page 192

It is an idea that I have thought about often. Have you ever been in an awkward situation with a friend where they are being rude or unkind and you know in your heart that you have to tell them? Or, maybe they are sad and depressed all the time and they do not realize that is the energy they have brought to an experience with others. Another scenario might be where they often plow over you and are thinking only about their situation and completely disregard you or think not a second about your feelings. These are the times when we have to be honest and upfront.

Yet, that can be hard. Why is it that so often we hold back with our closest friends and do not tell them what we think they should hear? Do we think they are not ready for it? Do we think they cannot handle it? Or, is it more that we are concerned that our honesty will drive them away from us, and while they might agree, they are not ready to deal with our honesty? It is a tough position to sometimes be in.

It can be a lot of work. Friends are supposed to be the ones that tell it like it is, where we can be completely transparent and state exactly what is on our mind, but is that always really true? Is it sometimes easier to just not say anything at all and keep it to ourselves? Often the other person is stuck in their own world and cannot for the life of them see where you are coming from and that you have their best interest in mind. You are concerned because you love and care about them!

Rush of adrenaline…

Posted by random olio

What gets your adrenaline going? Do you feel it after a long run? A presentation in front of many people in your company, or just a few peers in your department? Do you feel exhilarated after climbing, camping, or hiking? Or after salsa dancing? Do you feel it when you finally fit into your bathing suit or jeans? Or, is it after completing a painting or making a new business sale or partnership?

For me, it’s how I feel after a good long run, when I feel that a painting is complete and I hang it on the wall, sometimes it is a new experience with someone I’ve never met before and I feel a bit nervous. Other times it’s when I am direct with someone and am not always sure how they will respond. I have other encounters and experiences, but that is just a start.

When we let our juices flow, and our adrenaline is up, we feel alive. Sometimes it is a day full of meetings, with then a night of connecting with friends you have not seen. When you finally crawl into bed for sleep your mind is going a mile a minute of all the notes you did not have time to make at work, or the conversations you had with your friends. Your mind will not shut down and so sleep is fleeting.

What gets your adrenaline going?

12.12.12

Posted by random olio

It happened last year on 11.11.11, and the year before that on 10.10.10, and before that and before that. However, these repeating dates will not happen until 01.01.2101. They only occur in the first 12 years of a new century. What will you be doing at 12:12 pm on 12.12.12?

Doing a bit of research I came across quite a few websites specifically for 12.12.12. A bit shocking to go to so much trouble on a website meant for one day in a year. Some are calling it doomsday like the Mayans have selected December 21, 2012, some are calling it a spiritually enlightened day, and others are using it to raise money. There is a concert for Sandy Relief will be happening on December 12, 2012. It looks like it will be televised tonight at 7:30 ET. There is also a group calling 12.12.12: World Day of Interconnectedness.

For me it is just another day. However, because there will not be another repeating day while I am alive, I want to do something fun and memorable. What should I do at 12:12:12 on 12.12.12?

“Did I leave my jacket at your place?”

Posted by random olio

Last week I received this email from Oxfam with the subject line: “Did I leave my jacket at your place?” I could tell by the email address that it was from Oxfam, which often I just delete depending on how many emails I have to go through. I got a chuckle reading the subject line and decided that their cleverness was enough to make me read their email. An impressive marketing ploy to get their subscribers to read their messages. It makes me want to take it to the next level in my own writing (work and personal) to continue to find clever ways to give others a laugh, or make them curious about what might be inside an email. With our full inboxes, often filled mostly with junk, it is refreshing to find a message that adds a little humor.

See below for the full email from Oxfam:

Hey Tami –

It’s Aziz Ansari. And of course I didn’t leave a jacket at your place. I’ve never been to your home.

But I’m glad you opened this email, because I actually wanted to talk to you about something much more important. I want to tell you that this holiday season, you need to get a gift from OxfamGifts.com. Your gift could be exactly what someone in poverty needs to build a better future for their family.

Get your family gifts they’ll love. Instead of the usual boring gifts, why not get your mom some bees ($18)? No, not like a swarm that will attack her, I mean some bees that go to rural farmers so they can learn the latest beekeeping methods and harvest more honey from their hives. More honey means more money for families in need. That’s pretty cool, right?

And for dad, instead of a tie, get him some goats! A goat ($50) can provide fertilizer and food for families. Does a goofy tie provide fertilizer? NOPE.

Check out my video to see what’s so special about OxfamGifts.com this year and start shopping now >>

Here’s how it works:
	You purchase an item.
	You personalize a gift card.
	The card goes to your friend or loved one.
	Your donation goes to those who need it most.

What are you waiting for? See why everyone wants to give – and get – chickens, wells and other life-saving gifts this holiday season >>

You get to skip the mall, find the perfect present for everyone on your list and help people in need, all without leaving home – I’d call that a major win. Start shopping now >>

Best wishes,

Aziz Ansari

Aziz Ansari
Oxfam Ambassador

No helium = No high pitched voices

Posted by random olio

I do not often have a reason to need helium. Who does? I guess moms or event planners that put on birthday parties. In any case, I had a reason to purchase balloons for someone last week. I placed my order and went to a different part of the store to pick out a card and a few other things. When I got back to pick up the balloons, the attendant apologized and said that she had run out of helium. “Oh, interesting” I said. “Is there a place nearby that I can get balloons at such short notice?” “No, there is a helium shortage, that is why Party City closed.” She told me.

Who knew! Of course I was fascinated. Maybe I missed it in the news, but could a helium shortage really close a Party City? Maybe so. A few interesting facts about helium:

The US supplies 75% of helium supplies
Amarillo, Texas is known as the helium capital (where the Federal Helium Reserve is located)
The federal government is getting out of the helium business, and the public sector is not prepared
Helium is used to freeze the magnets in MRI scanners
Used for filling balloons (that one you knew)
There is enough helium in the Federal Reserve to last 3 years
Preserves rare documents, such as the Declaration of Independence
It is the second lightest element and the second most abundant element
Of course it also fills the Goodyear blimp
Inhaling it causes your voice to change

Until the shortage is remedied, there will be sad faces of little boys and girls with no SpongeBob balloons at their birthday parties, and we will have to come up with some fresh ways to cheer someone up in the hospital without any get well balloons!

A few articles in case you want more context:

Helium shortage? Bureaucrats, firms are creating too little hot air – The Christian Science Monitor

As Shortage Worsens, We Visit the Federal Helium Reserve – Popular Mechanics

Helium shortage creating trouble for industry, health care, birthday parties – Desert News