The Urge to Surge

When I woke up to the news of a re-release of the short lived 90's soda, Surge, the other morning I didn't think much of it... Just another, everyday internet publicity stunt. My boyfriend wanted to order it and when I heard the $14 price tag I thought it was a waste of good money. We could buy 3 giant delicious burritos or pay for nearly two months of hulu plus with that money! But, my arguments were too late, because he was already hitting the buy button as the initial announcement came out of his mouth.

This news upset me for some reason... 

Then he started reading the comments and reviews, which were mostly written in a tone that is classic Amazon snark. Like most of these commenters, I was in the prime Surge drinking age bracket when it made its original run. I can recall the quintessential 90's splatter logo design and advertising campaign that was putting a positive spin on the peak of energy you'll get from the ("carbos") sugar high, but I don't remember liking this beverage. And, like most things from the 90's, I prefer they live in my memories and not in my belly, like Rice Krispie treats cereal and purple ketchup.

So I had to ask the question, is this soda, which sold out almost immediately, actually enjoyable or is it just food for social media?

How many posts are we going to see on Facebook and Instagram over the next few weeks of people drinking from lime green cans and climbing atop their sofas to prove their true devotion to the sugar gods? Believe it or not, I'm not trying to hate on those who genuinely love Surge, I'm just questioning the values driving humanity is all...

I also recently discovered a popular YouTube vid cast called Good Mythical Morning, where two lovely grown up southern gentleman sit at a table in what looks like your grandpas basement, talk about random topics and make cheesy jokes. Each episode is about 10 minutes long and seems completely unrehearsed. Last night, I watched one about Narcissism and they defined their generation (mid 30's) as the "I love me" generation and the current, younger group as the "you love me" generation.

This whole surge thing seems like a perfect example. I doubt anyone will just sip on that Surge while enjoying a family dinner. Why do I assume this? Because I know that I won't either. If I'm going to be a part of this Surge release, I'm probably going to post at least one pic somewhere on the internet. What irks me is that I'm playing right into the hands of marketing people! As a marketing professional myself, I hate to think that I've fallen for their master plan!

Can anything be genuinely enjoyed in private anymore or do all occasions now call for a selfie? Do people share because they can't hold in their excitement for life or because they want attention? Does anyone else battle these questions when they post things on the internets?

Anyway, see you and the other Surge fans on Friday. #picsoritdidnthappen

Welcome Back

I recently had a moment where I recalled the fact that I have a blog and it has been neglected for a while. Then I went to look at my blog and realized it has actually been a full year since I last posted anything.

I know I've been a little busy, but this is unacceptable.

It's not that I don't have anything to write... here's the rundown of things passed:

Sad Days on Main Street

I closed my business that had been open for a little over two years. It's strange to think about all the time, effort, passion, and money that went into making that project go, but for whatever reason it didn't fly. We still run a small online shop and have plans for local pop-ups but it isn't quite the same.

There are many feels about this and I will likely share as we move forward.

Climbing the Volcano

In April, while enjoying a beverage with my tortilla chips on my friend Nikki's deck, she very seriously said the words "you should come" as she told us about her plans to go to Maui in exactly 2 weeks. I laughed it off but then my boyfriend looked up the flight info and after an hour or two of debating the final decision fell on me. I set aside my extreme fears of flying across the ocean only to land on a small volcanic island and said "ok."

After only a mild panic attack and a complimentary bottle of wine (the good stuff) from our friendly Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant, we made it to the island and had a lot of fun. It was my very first tropical experience and my hair grew larger every day in the humidity, just like Monica's hair on that episode of Friends. I also got to see a sea turtle and realized that I am, apparently, the only person in the world who isn't really into snorkeling.

I have too much to say on this place/experience, so I'll save it for later.

Seahawks Win the Superbowl

Or I think that's what happened while I was busy deep frying razor clams in my fancy Seahawks inspired attire (blue dress, green fake frames).

The game they played before the Superbowl happened while on Friendcation with about 10 of the coolest people I know. We rented a cabin in Leavenworth and I got completely enthralled with a very large and complicated wildlife puzzle. The cabin had a bear theme... although my fear of bears is very real, the stuffed ones are pretty fun to hang around on. Nikki and I spent the entire football game meditating for the win on a pile of giant stuffed bears. We also attempted to distract the group with cheeseball throwing. Obvs it worked because the Seahawks won.

What's It Like Being 30?

Merely three days after I turned 30, I was asked "what's it like being 30?" That very same day, I had actually considered my potential answers to such a question and what did I come up with? Nothing really...

I do remember being 22 and being totally surprised when I would encounter someone that much older at a party. I probably even asked someone that question at some point!

I suppose at 30 things ache more and being drunk is a lot less fun (so it doesn't really happen anymore). Being 30 also means I've earned some wisdom and probably make better choices in life and I sometimes get tired and fall asleep at 9:30 pm on a Friday night.

New Music Video! Pickwick: Hacienda Motel

The Sugru Story

I think my favorite part about this talk is that this woman, an inventor and business owner, seems so nervous and emotional when presenting her story...

 

... because, yeah... starting a business is hard.

 

Lisa Frank!

Won't You Take Me To Idea Town

We took pictures at the Seabrook and Sunset Magazine Idea Town party last Thursday. I was super thankful to my friend, Jen, who thought of me while planning the party. She knows of my obsession with Sunset Magazine and my life goal to somehow be a part of it.

When she asked me to come in and take photos of the party, I was beyond excited. You guys, I was in the same room/patio as people who write/edit/whatever for Sunset!

I probably should have done more schmoozing, but we got distracted by this fun bathroom mirror.

Discovery

I think I have an addiction to discovering new things but also a weird desire for the mundaneness (not. a. word.) of every day life... or maybe vice versa. Can't quite tell yet.

I love boring stuff: eating scrambled eggs every morning, riding my bike on the exact same route to work and back, washing the dishes every night, filling in my calendar, making Tinderbox Matchbox Roast pour over coffee directly into my mason jar with the bicycle fabric cozy. I have a favorite bowl, a preferred seat at my favorite coffee shop, and a heavy level of commitment to the shows I watch on Hulu and Netflix. I actually wear through my shoes regularly and buy the exact same pair over and over again. My heart does not stray very far from these things. I'm the epitome of a brand loyalist.

However, I don't find these things very inspiring and I often get buried in these every day things that I love. It is so easy for me to fall into the trap of repetitively moving through my life and watching time fly by. I might have the best of intentions to get out and do all of the things I aspire to do (writing, photography, naps in my hammock, traveling) but I sometimes forget to actually do them because I'm caught up in the enjoyment of my cup of coffee. Suddenly, I realize that I've pinned more projects on Pinterest than I've actually accomplished in real life and I think "I've gotta do something!"

So, I'm on the hunt for an adventure.  

I need more discovery in my life.

Writer's Block

Today I was thinking about how very little writing I've accomplished over the last week. There were so many potential stories brewing in my mind. I've seen so many strange sights. I drank a basil mojito while playing 4 on 4 badminton until my arms ached. I saw a woman carrying a wooden marionette over her shoulder LIKE A BABY (scariest thing ever). I experienced a nearly city-wide power outage and thanked the lord that I live next door to a hospital that has a generator to light my neighborhood (and charge my cell phone). I went kayaking in South Bend and achieved my second terrible sunburn of the season. I apparently learned nothing from that one song I heard a thousand times in high school. I went to Seattle to see a couple of my best college friends whom I hadn't seen in years. I also saw a rat scurry across the floor of an outdoor bar while I was there. I suppose there are a lot of rats running wild in city restaurants but I'd never actually seen one before. However, I have seen Ratatouille. This rat was not so cute. And it probably can't even cook. I've spent two Saturdays selling cute things at the Seabrook Saturday market. Walked on the beach. Ate far too much Mexican food. Played with fireworks. Even started running again and achieved my fasted ever average pace.

So, is it writer's block, a lack of time or the procrastinator personality of mine that has kept me from writing here in the past two weeks? Yes.

This Weekend

I'll be out in Seabrook this weekend with Gray's General Store selling t-shirts, Cuppow lids and making custom jar cozies on the spot!

Hope to see you there!

Here Goes Everything

Today is my last day working part-time at the local college here in Grays Harbor. It's been fun bringing in entertainment and putting on and planning events like giant bowling and lunch time karaoke, but it's summer time now (despite the warning email I got this morning about possible lightning strikes on campus) and I've got lots of other projects to get working on!

I've got three major goals or guiding values on my list:

1. Quality > Quantity. I will be focusing on taking all of the things that I do and figuring out how to slim it all down to the top quality projects, then making those things even better.

2. Connect. I love people. I love fast paced environments. I know that if I don't spend some time focusing on ways to stay connected to these things, I will become discouraged and end up spending my days watching The Wonder Years on Netflix and eating way too many burritos.

3. Make some money! Let's get real. I've got bills to pay...

By Banter Banner

Here's the short-ish list of things I'll be doing this summer:

• Use writing as an excuse to have more adventures in Grays Harbor. Drag my camera and friends along and post it all up here, here, here and here.
• Relaunch Gray's General Store... I've got some big ideas including an online store, new product lines and a co-working space!
• More picnics. Fancy ones. Like how they do in Portland.
• More hammocks.
• Fill my brain with inspiring and educational books, podcasts and videos... like this one:

Chris Glass - Designer for Wire & Twine from CreativeMornings/Cincinnati on Vimeo.

• Attempt to take on creative and self-improvement projects that I hear about in these books, podcasts and videos (... a photo a day like Chris Glass does... maybe).
• More, more, more copywriting, marketing and advertising projects!
• Get back into my running and yoga routine.
• Ride my bike more so I can have thoughtful and deep contemplations on my place in this world like my friend Kelly Hogaboom.
• Host a backyard music festival/camp-out.
• Try to help get a few businesses off the ground for friends and family.
• Generally (and hopefully) not be too lazy.

Wish me luck! (please... I'll need it)

You. I Like What You're Doing Here.

Sometimes the things I read and see on the internets makes me very happy.

Also, this sarcastic response to all of those self help articles that I am guilty of reading.

Best part (sorry about the swears):

Do what you want. Be your damn self. Don’t be a terrible person. Be nice to others. Be supportive of your friends and allow yourself to give them the benefit of the doubt when they want to try something new, like rescuing shelter dogs, or making performance art in the nude, or dating terrible people. They’re your friends and you love them, and if they suck, stop being their friend. Show up for work. Pay your bills. Find some fucking purpose in your life, and figure out a way to share that purpose with others in a way that isn’t sanctimonious and doesn’t involve a picture of a woman laughing at an empty beach. Smile because something makes you smile. Laugh because you’ve surrounded yourself by people who make you laugh, and they’re funny fucking people, and you’re happy to be with them. Dance because you’re drunk at a big dance party with your friends and Michael Jackson is playing, not because ‘no one is watching.’ Everyone is watching. We’re at a fucking party. That’s how parties work.
Do whatever the fuck you want.
And the next time one of you has the kind of spare cash around to take a prancercise vacation to a tropical island, for the love of all that is holy please bring me with you. I am excellent at waving scarves around but even better at buying drinks with tiny umbrellas.

Lastly, I need this.

Songs for Summer

CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share

Dan Croll - Compliment Your Soul

Empire of the Sun - Alive

Caveman - In The City

HAERTS - Wings

Still Corners - Fireflies

Hipster Statues

He must be contemplating the new Daft Punk album...

See them all here.

Weekend Reading List

I have discovered my spirit animal, via an online test. I had no idea it was so easy.

Balance Your Work and Personal Life Like A Pro

I've been wanting to make fun sleeping bags for years! Anthropologie beat me to it.

Care-less: The Sin of Indifference

I have finally cleaned up my [email] act.

Public Radio Tattoos!

Rediviva: A Rustic Revival

It was just after that random Aberdeen planning commission meeting I went to a while back, discussing ways to improve downtown, when I first heard the news that Andy Bickar had plans to open a new restaurant. The "young people" (that's what they call us, I'm sure) from the meeting headed out to happy hour at Billy's for a debrief. There's nothing quite like commiserating with fellow business owners and community leaders over a beer and a salmon quesadilla, compliments of the chef. Andy was among us and dropped the news that he was in the process of buying the old Mallard's Restaurant building, a few blocks away.

Best. News. Ever.

That was back in November of 2012. Now, we are mere weeks away from the opening of Rediviva. Named after the ship of Captain Robert Gray (yeah, hi, namesake of my store as well), the name literally means "revived."

He is, very literally, reviving this old downtown Aberdeen building. I stopped by last week to see the progress and, let's be honest, to get a first glance at what will probably be my new drinking hole. Compared to the previous building's high-end restaurant, I'll say this is going to be anything but a "hole." During my visit, I saw a lot of scaffolding and drywall, but I could already tell that it will likely be one of the most beautiful spaces in Grays Harbor. High ceilings. Exposed beams. Talk of a chandelier and over-sized art work. I'm in.

Andy wants this place to look like it was plucked right out of downtown Seattle and dropped in Aberdeen. Now, I'm a sucker for good interior design, but I'd also be willing to bet that the food will be top notch as well. He told me about his plans to offer fresh, local and foraged food at reasonable prices. Fresh seafood and oysters. New American, he called it. And let's not forget about the bar: micro-brews, hand-crafted cocktails and Mexican Coke. Anybody who cringes at the idea of serving regular fountain Coke is ok by me.

As far as I can tell, Andy's doing everything right: the layout (banquette seating really is the only reasonable choice), the design (rustic yet modern), historically significant (because us Harborites are weirdly obsessed with the past), and good food (we can assume, based on Andy's fancy awards and press attention). Next time you see me cruising the streets of downtown Aberdeen some random evening on the old Schwinn, you can assume I'm on my way to Rediviva.

Sleepless and Sewing

On Tuesday, I was recovering from an all nighter. Something I don't do often, and only happens on those occasional nights that I either a) am feeling like a fun addict and can't seem to pull myself away from something awesome, regardless of how early I have to get up in the morning or b) worked at the youth shelter in town because a kid needed a place to stay for a night. On this particular Tuesday, it was the latter cause for my sleep depravity. I had rolled crashed into bed at approximately 7:30 am and set my alarm for 9:30 am. Ahhhh sweet sleep...

After working a few hours at my day job, where I had consumed a, let's call it, "decent" amount of coffee I officially achieved zombie status. My brain had stopped working almost completely but my body was full of energy. Most likely from all of that caffeine.

As I was pacing back and forth in my apartment, trying to figure out what I could do to calm my shaky self, my friend Krister Lile saved the day. He had a project for me!

FYI: Krister is cool. He is a local interior and graphic designer and you should probably hire him for your next remodeling project.

Anyway, what he had in mind for this day was a quick sewing project. He was creating invites for a party being held at his parents' house and, being the clever guy he is, he wanted these paper invites to be sewn together.

I busted out my machine as he drove up the hill from his studio to my apartment. I hadn't used my tiny blue sewing machine in quite a while, since I always seem to be working on project at my shop. I was excited to get this thing out again.

The project took less than 10 minutes. We decided on a zig zag stitch. Gold thread on one side (because that is what the bobbin currently held... nobody wants to reload a bobbin, you with me?), black on the other. I sewed each one in line with the next, creating a sort of paper banner, and we used a knife to cut them apart.

We agreed that more paper sewing should be done in the future.

Apple's Got INTENTIONS

I am totally fascinated with this ad.

Apple wins again. They take an inspirational design philosophy and somehow turn it into an inspirational life philosophy... so, naturally, I must buy this thing (or things, I suppose) and cling to these ideals.

if everyone is busy making everything

busy... it's like a dirty word. And, yes... my attention is really divided among so many things...

how can anyone perfect anything?

what am I doing with my life?

we start to confuse convenience with joy

Holy crap. Am I happy? Did a buddhist monk write this ad?

abundance with choice

yes.... ok. I've been to the Cheesecake Factory. I've tried to order from their 20 page menu. Abundance is not always a good thing.

designing something requires focus.

eeek. I need to focus. What do I want in life?

delight

yes...

surprise

want...

love

need...

connection

I suddenly feel like I need a hug

then we begin to craft around our intention

that's a word that seems lost in our culture. It sounds so serious... and... intentional.

it takes time

I'm so impatient... I should work on that.

there are a thousand no's for every yes

O_O

simplify

I need to clean out my closet

we perfect

I want to perfect something

start over

life is so hard sometimes

until everything we touch

where's that hug?

enhances each life it touches

I want to change the world

only then do we sign our work.

Oh, right. This is an ad. But I have so many feelings now. What do I do now? Buy the new Mac Pro? Maybe...

Reminder

Wish List:

I want a Co-Working space in Grays Harbor.

via AcceleratorYYC

A Good Life

kushandwizdom