Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Just Stuff

Hi everyone! Well, it's that time of year again - the last couple weeks of the work year when there's really nothing left to do. My openings are filled, my candidates are traveling, and I am really just planning on how to hit the ground running on January 2, 2007.

Meanwhile, you're just going to have to be subjected to my random musings. You ready?

1. As some of might know, I'm heading home to Houston for Christmas on Saturday. This may or not be a total disaster, due to the fact that not one single member of my immediate family has anything in common - I'll keep you posted! Steve is coming with me, though, so he'll dilute some of the anxiety for me. I'll pretty much be introducing Christmas to him, since he's Muslim. My family celebrates more of a Santa-based holiday than a Christ-based holiday, so it shouldn't be too strange for him.

2. Has anyone ever read Meredith Vieira's blog? She's very witty! Check it out: http://meredithtoday.ivillage.com/entertainment/ Today, she wrote about having the name Meredith and some of the nicknames she had to endure growing up. LOVE her for bringing exposure to the name - people have actually heard of it now!! :)

3. Get ready for a seriously personalized blog, people. I just got a digital camera for Christmas! As if you don't already get enough of my BS, now you get to see it in technicolor!

OK, that's it for the day. Hope everyone's super duper today! 6 days left until Santa comes!!!

Love, Mer

Monday, December 18, 2006

San Diego Super Chargers!

To hear the gayest disco NFL football team theme song on the planet, click here:

http://www.chargers.com/assets/002/11568.mp3

But don't get me wrong - I LOVE it!!! And I love me some LT, too... Mer :)

San Diego Super Chargers,
San Diego Chargers!
San Diego Super Chargers,
San Diego Chargers!
Charge!


We're coming your way,
We're gonna dazzle you with our super play.
The time has come,
You know we're shooting for number one.
With thunderbolts and lightning
We'll light up the sky,
We'll give it all we've got, and more
With the Super Charger try!


San Diego Super Chargers,
San Diego Chargers!
San Diego Super Chargers,
San Diego Chargers!
Charge!


We've got a plan,
We're gonna do it for our super fans.
All we seek,
Is the goal line to victory.
We'll ignite you, excite you
With high voltage play.
We won't let up a minute,
We're going all the way - all the way!

San Diego Super Chargers,
San Diego Chargers!
San Diego Super Chargers,
San Diego Chargers!
Charge!
We're coming your way
With the Super Chargers' play.
We're coming at you.
Now we're coming through!


San Diego Super Chargers,
San Diego Chargers!
San Diego Super Chargers,
San Diego Chargers!
Charge!

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Proposed Telephone Etiquette

Hello friends. Today I would like to discuss a very important behavioral issue which seems to have escaped the attention of society – telephone etiquette.

With the advent, ease, and availability of cellular technology, we have so many more ways in which to communicate via phone. Using cell phones, we can call, leave voicemails, text message, page, mobile IM, and even check our email via mobile web. Communication has more options than ever!! And with that, comes more opportunities to misuse this available technology…

I would imagine that every single person you know, even senior citizens and teenagers, have a cell phone. (Except for my great friend Roni Hunter, who just absolutely refuses!) With 300 million people gracing the population of the U.S., wouldn’t you say we probably have about 200 million cell phones in use today? So I have made my case that telephones and communication are a huge part of our existence in the 21st century. Yet, to my knowledge, no one has communicated any clear set of suggested rules to abide by, when it comes to telephone etiquette.

Please allow me to make such suggestions. I have collected input from several trusted advisors and here is our collective suggestive effort:

1. First of all, if you don’t reach someone that you call, if you want a return phone call… leave a message!! Don’t expect that if you don’t leave one, you’ll get a call back. Even if you just leave a “Hey, it’s X, call me. Bye.”! But if you don’t leave a message, you shouldn’t receive a call in response. Period.

2. Respond to communiation the way in which it was relayed. For example, if someone sends you a text message, text back – don’t call back. They probably texted you because they’re not able to speak, for whatever reason. If someone leaves you a message, if there was a specific question, it’s not entirely inappropriate to text back the answer, but it would be best to call back.

3. If trying to reach someone, leave ONLY one message per day until the person calls you back. The recipient GOT the message, we promise. To leave more than one message a day without being called back is stalking, and it’s annoying. Unless your purpose is to stalk and annoy, do not leave multiple messages to the effect of “just trying you again…”! If you want to try and catch someone on the phone one more time, perhaps call and don’t leave another message, knowing that the recipient already has a voicemail, and knows you want to talk – just be patient!

4. Please desist with the calling, not leaving a message, hanging up and calling right back over and over, unless it’s an emergency, or you perceive there might be an emergency. I will answer a call if I see that a person is frantically calling, assuming that it’s extremely important – if it’s not, then you better be prepared for an earful.

5. Oh, and unless you’re a creditor, take your phone off Blocked ID status. Perhaps we are spoiled, but people just don’t like answering calls from callers that do not identify themselves.

6. If you have dialed the wrong number, please excuse yourself and politely get off the phone. Do not hang up – that’s rude!

7. Turn off your phone or onto vibrate during: weddings, funerals, movies, live performances, sports events, business meetings, classes, dates, in places of worship, restrooms, restaurants, libraries, museums, doctor or dentist waiting rooms.

8. Refrain from using your phone in a place where others can't escape your conversation, such as in an elevator or on public transit. And when talking in public, please keep your voice down. Noone wants to hear your fighting with your husband about your finances and business calls should be protective of proprietary information.

9. If you wear one of those silly Bluetooth earpieces or microphone things, please take it off when you’re not using it – noone can tell if you’re talking or not, and it’s confusingly irritating!

Please note that I’m not saying that I am immune to some of these trespasses – I am guilty of some, as well. However, I think these are solid suggestions that will help us communicate more harmoniously as a society. If you agree, then please pass this along, and let’s try to make this world a better place, shall we?

If you have any input to these proposed rules, by all means, let's hear them!

Love, Mer


Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Monday, December 11, 2006

Auntie Roni

Roni Hunter and family are super excited to welcome Wright Thomas Stokes, born December 4th, 2006 to Randy and David Stokes, Roni's sister and brother-in-law in Virginia. Wright's big brother, Hunter, is a cutie pie and a really sweet kid, and is going to be a great big brother. Congratulations, Auntie Roni!

And welcome Wright!

Love, Auntie Mer

MEOW

I stand corrected, people! It appears as though my honey tried to convince me that he wasn't getting me a kitten for Christmas, he actually is!! :) On Saturday, for my birthday, Steve gave me a gift card to Pet People and an IOU for any kitty that I want. YIPPEEEEEE!!!

So as soon as I get home from Houston on the 27th, I'm heading straight for the Humane Society to find the new addition to my family. I can't wait.

Thanks, baby! I'm so excited!!

Love you, Mer xx

Friday, December 08, 2006

The Big Three One

So tomorrow I turn 31 years old. Wow, how did that happen? It seems like I just left Austin a couple of years ago in my Nissan 240 attached to a Uhaul trailer and drove it to Los Angeles in search of something bigger. And you know what - that was TEN years ago! But I'm happier than ever, thanks to hard work in my career, amazing experiences in my personal life, and meeting some unforgettable people along the way.

Anyway, check out my birthday horoscope this year:

December 9th - Your current situation is stellar, thanks to your efforts and those of your lucky stars. Work is on the upswing, your pockets are full and your relationship is blooming (or a prospect is heating up). Bask in the glow.

That sounds promising!

Well, everyone, have a great weekend and happy birthday to Gina, too, with whom I share a birthday on Saturday. Love my Mummy!

Love, Mer

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Dear Santa, Part II

Hi Santa,

I got the memo that the kitten under the Christmas tree isn't going to happen this year. I can't say I'm not a little disappointed, but I guess that opens the opportunity to amend my list, then right??!!! I promise I've been good this year and will be even better next year!!

Will this fit in a stocking?? It's the smallest, cutest car I can find!!!

Love, Mer

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Refreshing!!!

I KNOW for sure that I put a lot of pressure on myself to be thinner, more organized, more thoughtful, a better cook, more professionally successful, and generally, a better person in a million different ways. Perhaps that's why I just found myself on anxiety meds recently!! HAHAHA

But this new article puts things in perspective nicely, so I thought I'd share it with you guys.

Love, Mer

Is Virtue Overrated? Stop working so hard at being good!

Sure, being virtuous is seen as a positive attribute, but it can also take the fun and sparkle out of life by making you fret about your imperfections. Here, Veronique Vienne shares her list of the seven deadly virtues -- and how to overcome them -- all from her latest book of life lessons, The Art of Being a Woman . Born and raised in Paris, Vienne is also the best-selling author of the now-classic The Art of Doing Nothing.

1. Assuming that one is never too thin or too rich

If we didn't feel obliged to become a better person, we'd buy more steamy novels than self-help books, so there would be practically no risk of anyone's trying to become too skinny, punctual, compassionate, or wealthy overnight. And best-dressed socialites would be considered way too thin and too rich.

2. Constantly raising the bar

People should be encouraged to set professional goals and strive to reach them, but the bigger your paycheck gets, the later you'll have to work. Figure that with every promotion, you'll lose about 15 minutes a day with each of your kids. And too much talk around the dinner table about "making the numbers" will definitely have an adverse effect on your libido. Truth be told, earning money is relatively easy; the challenge is earning just enough to enjoy the life you make with it.

3. Having what it takes

Step back from time to time in order to see the big picture and perhaps come across brand-new perceptions. If you're a type A personality, pretend to be a type B: Deliberately stop to smell the electricity in the air before a storm, for instance. Make eye contact with a baby, or watch the twitching whiskers of a sleeping cat.

4. Wasting no time

A sure way to become chronically frustrated is to put excessive value on every God-sent instant. So instead of waiting passively for the next screw-up to disrupt your tight schedule, preemptively misspend precious minutes. Every so often, stare mindlessly out your window, refold the dish towels in the linen closet, or, when no one is looking, tap your fingernails dramatically, in mock exasperation.

5. Being organized

There's something strangely liberating about losing stuff. It often happens when you should be rushing out of the house to get to an appointment. You find yourself rummaging through your coat pockets, the kitchen drawer, and the medicine cabinet in search of...your grocery list? Cough drops? You already forgot! Revel in your disorganization. It slows down the relentless ticking of the clock.

6. Being goal-oriented

Always getting what you want can deprive you of serenity. For example, you go to the mall with the idea of buying the latest toaster. After shopping for an hour, you burn out and decide you've got way too much stuff already. Going home empty-handed, you feel elated. You -- instant wisdom! -- realize that you're already happy with what you have.

7. Being righteous

Perfectionism is overrated. That said, it's better to be a good person riddled with self-criticisms than to be someone who flaunts her imperfections, such as padding her resume like personal trophies. Believing in progress is better than being the type who presumes that her flaws are above the fray. Foolish optimism is not a deadly virtue.

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From The Art of Being a Woman. Copyright © 2006 by Veronique Vienne. Published by Clarkson Potter/Random House.

Monday, December 04, 2006

LOOKY what I got today!!!

My boyfriend surprised me today with 30 perfect, lavender birthday roses. Personally delivered to my office, no less!! :) What a sweet way to celebrate my last week of being 30, before the big 3-1 hits on Saturday. Thank you, Ahmed!

In other observations, we only have 21 days of Christmas shopping left people! Nat, I'm ready for the 2nd annual champagne and Christmas-shopping-a-thon on the 16th. Christmas shopping is much easier with a little buzz, for sure. All of you out there - I highly recommend it!!

Last year we did (if I remember correctly) champagne at the house before we left, shopping, lunch and more drinks at Cheesecake Factory, more shopping, switched locations and did more shopping, hit happy hour at Outback for drinks and apps, then more shopping, then to a Christmas party. Sounds crazy, but I got every single bit of my shopping done on one day. This year, I'm creating a spreadsheet to make the process even more streamlined. I'm all over it!!!

I did buy my first Christmas gift online this morning, however - a little somethin' somethin' for my lovely girlfriend Kerry Loughlin. Congratulations, Ker - you're the first person from my list this year to get Christmas attention. :)

K, I'm done with my diatribe now. Have a great week, everyone!

Love, Mer