After we'd all had our fill of the "Little Stinker", we took some time to wander around the 34 acre garden and get lost in the beauty of the flora and fauna we all usually take for granted.
The "Little Stinker"
Thursday, July 29, 2010
UC Berkeley Botanical Garden
Got to head out to the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden this morning with Sonny, Katie Rose, and Stacy to check out the once in a lifetime bloom of a Titan Arum. These are the massive flowers more commonly known as "Corpse Flowers" for the disgustingly pungent odor they give off after blooming. It's most often compared to the smell of rotting flesh! I got a pretty good whiff and can definitely confirm that. Regardless, the flower is an amazing organism, and beautiful, and missing this bloom was definitely NOT an option! This plant is 15 years old, and will only bloom this once before dying.
After we'd all had our fill of the "Little Stinker", we took some time to wander around the 34 acre garden and get lost in the beauty of the flora and fauna we all usually take for granted.
The "Little Stinker"
After we'd all had our fill of the "Little Stinker", we took some time to wander around the 34 acre garden and get lost in the beauty of the flora and fauna we all usually take for granted.
The "Little Stinker"
How do you make a 23 year old child grow up?
The job that I hold sometimes requires me to act in a managerial way that closely resembles babysitting. There is nothing I despise more than this. To me, there is a certain level of maturity and work ethic that one should have if they want to continue to be employed..in ANY profession. It's mentally and physically exhausting to have to have to keep one eye on whatever the kids that work for you are fucking off at at the moment, and one eye on your own work. I'm tired of it!
So, rather than let this behavior go on and on and let these people think acting like a spoiled child is perfectly acceptable, I decided to put a stop to it. Pointing out someone's faults when it comes to work, and intentionally putting myself in a position of conflict is NOT something I'm very good at, but I'm working on it. The reason I chose to write about this was so I could reflect a bit more on how I chose to handle this specific situation.
For the first time in my work life, I took a mental step back from what was going on and viewed it from a different angle. Taking a page from the conflict training I attended about a month ago, I forced my brain to put aside the annoyance that was surrounding my view of this specific person, and address her as a person instead of a problem.
On some level I know that corporate trainings are meant to mold the masses that attend them into nicely behaving profit makers. I didn't totally buy in to all they were teaching, for that very reason. BUT, the mental tools offered to ease my own stress when dealing with managing people were TOTALLY useful. Which honestly was a very welcome surprise!
A new level of confidence was acquired during that interaction...and life goes on for the better for the both of us!
So, rather than let this behavior go on and on and let these people think acting like a spoiled child is perfectly acceptable, I decided to put a stop to it. Pointing out someone's faults when it comes to work, and intentionally putting myself in a position of conflict is NOT something I'm very good at, but I'm working on it. The reason I chose to write about this was so I could reflect a bit more on how I chose to handle this specific situation.
For the first time in my work life, I took a mental step back from what was going on and viewed it from a different angle. Taking a page from the conflict training I attended about a month ago, I forced my brain to put aside the annoyance that was surrounding my view of this specific person, and address her as a person instead of a problem.
On some level I know that corporate trainings are meant to mold the masses that attend them into nicely behaving profit makers. I didn't totally buy in to all they were teaching, for that very reason. BUT, the mental tools offered to ease my own stress when dealing with managing people were TOTALLY useful. Which honestly was a very welcome surprise!
A new level of confidence was acquired during that interaction...and life goes on for the better for the both of us!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Mulford Point, Marina Park - San Leandro, La Estrellita - Oakland
Mulford Point, on the North side of Marina Park in San Leandro. Not done exploring this park yet :) On the lower side is this really amazing looking walking trail that curves waaaay out into the bay. It looked like a huge, curved, manmade pier or wave break. There were a quite a few people walking with their families, dogs, friends and the wind!!! Being surrounded on all sides by the San Francisco Bay pretty much guarantees you'll be windblown, but the views and the experience of feeling like you're walking on water must surely trump all that!Hoping to make it out there to take the long walk as soon as possible!
Day 5, July 27th: La Estrellita - Oakland
Checked out a new-to-me margarita spot a few blocks from where I live in downtown/Lake Merritt are Oakland. La Estrellita is a favorite happy hour spot for Jenn and Gretchen, and the fact that they can bring their dogs makes it that much better! I'm a fan of supporting little local restaurants, especiallhy when their staff is extra friendly! Many pitchers and many laughs were shared and enjoyed!
Day 5, July 27th: La Estrellita - Oakland
Checked out a new-to-me margarita spot a few blocks from where I live in downtown/Lake Merritt are Oakland. La Estrellita is a favorite happy hour spot for Jenn and Gretchen, and the fact that they can bring their dogs makes it that much better! I'm a fan of supporting little local restaurants, especiallhy when their staff is extra friendly! Many pitchers and many laughs were shared and enjoyed!
THX 1138
Started watching THX 1138, George Lucas' first feature film from 1971. Feeling a lot like Orwell's 1984 so far..which is great!
From IMDB: "The human race has been relocated to a underground city located beneath the Earth's surface. In the underground city, the population are entertained by holographic TV which broadcasts sex and violence and robotic police force enforces the law. In the underground city, society controls all life, all citizens are drugged to control their emotions and their behavior and sex is a crime. Factory worker THX-1138 stops taking the drugs and he breaks the law when he finds himself falling in love with his room-mate LUH 3417 and is imprisoned when LUH 3417 is pregnant. Escaping from jail with illegal programmer SEN 5241 and a hologram named SRT, THX 1138 goes in search of LUH 3417 and escape to the surface, whilst being pursued by robotic policemen."
Definitely looking forward to finishing it and getting back for a full review!
From IMDB: "The human race has been relocated to a underground city located beneath the Earth's surface. In the underground city, the population are entertained by holographic TV which broadcasts sex and violence and robotic police force enforces the law. In the underground city, society controls all life, all citizens are drugged to control their emotions and their behavior and sex is a crime. Factory worker THX-1138 stops taking the drugs and he breaks the law when he finds himself falling in love with his room-mate LUH 3417 and is imprisoned when LUH 3417 is pregnant. Escaping from jail with illegal programmer SEN 5241 and a hologram named SRT, THX 1138 goes in search of LUH 3417 and escape to the surface, whilst being pursued by robotic policemen."
Definitely looking forward to finishing it and getting back for a full review!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Lazy Dogs, Victory Warehouse, Tidal Wave Metal Fest
This was one of those days where you just feel antsy to clock out and get the weekend started. Don't get me wrong, I love my job...but there's definitely something to be said for cutting loose and lettin your hair down!
On this night, Andrea and I headed out to Victory Warehouse on 24th and San Pablo in Oakland to meet up with everyone and check out Sonny's roomie's band, Lazy Dogs. Love those kids. Good times.
After that show we all headed back to the house and somehow started up a spontaneous reggae dance party in Tar's room. So many different people, into totally different stuff, just dropping all inhibition and shakin what they got for a bit. Nice nitecap!!
Day 2: July 24th
Happy Saturday! Day 1 of the Tidal Wave Festival, a yearly free metal fest put on entirely by donations from fans and vendors! It's a 2 day event, of which I only got to see 1 day due to work today, but fun and full of friends, dogs, blankets and beer...the mild San Francisco summer day was absolutely perfect! The venue, The Jerry Garcia Ampitheatre was killer as well!
On this night, Andrea and I headed out to Victory Warehouse on 24th and San Pablo in Oakland to meet up with everyone and check out Sonny's roomie's band, Lazy Dogs. Love those kids. Good times.
After that show we all headed back to the house and somehow started up a spontaneous reggae dance party in Tar's room. So many different people, into totally different stuff, just dropping all inhibition and shakin what they got for a bit. Nice nitecap!!
Day 2: July 24th
Happy Saturday! Day 1 of the Tidal Wave Festival, a yearly free metal fest put on entirely by donations from fans and vendors! It's a 2 day event, of which I only got to see 1 day due to work today, but fun and full of friends, dogs, blankets and beer...the mild San Francisco summer day was absolutely perfect! The venue, The Jerry Garcia Ampitheatre was killer as well!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Try something new, every day!
I've decided to take a new turn. To get off the beaten path. Turn away from the fast track. To touch, see, smell, taste, and do things I've never experienced before. And I've decided to document it. One new thing a day, to experience and reflect on, for the next 365 days. Or maybe longer :) For now I think a difinitive goal will serve as a motivator.
That's it! Try something new, every day, and take the time out to talk about it.
I'm expecting that this modest goal, with loose restrictions, will allow my eyes to open wider than they ever have before. I think we, as a people, are so blinded by the mundane everyday responsibilities and patterns of behavior that we literally miss out on the amazing things/people/foods/events we could be easily be participating in!
So, we'll see how it goes.
I want to thank all of the amazingly creative people I've met over the past year for contributing to this new inspiration. <3
Cheers to day 1!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Eternal Cake" - Berkeley
That's it! Try something new, every day, and take the time out to talk about it.
I'm expecting that this modest goal, with loose restrictions, will allow my eyes to open wider than they ever have before. I think we, as a people, are so blinded by the mundane everyday responsibilities and patterns of behavior that we literally miss out on the amazing things/people/foods/events we could be easily be participating in!
So, we'll see how it goes.
I want to thank all of the amazingly creative people I've met over the past year for contributing to this new inspiration. <3
Cheers to day 1!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Eternal Cake" - Berkeley
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