Couch Needed

There are days when I think that I should simply break down and get a leather couch for my office. After all I am the office therapist. I fix problems. I listen to folks vent. I talk people off ledges. But the part that excites me about adding a couch to my office is that I could simply lie down and take an afternoon nap.

Recent Reads

My book club had a very lively discussion this past weekend. We were discussing this book, and it's always fun when people see things differently that you do. Makes for stimulating conversation.

1. When You Are Engulfed in Flames
This guy is funny. At times he's a bit too much - I mean how self-absorbed can you be? But on the whole, really enjoyed this book - there are laugh out loud stories in here.

2. What It Is
If you've never read books by this author, you are in for a treat. Read this book on writing in one sitting. Really like her style and artwork. Find more authors are writing in "comic strip" form and I for one am glad for the resurgence of the style.

Night at the movies

Am so looking for a good movie - and if at first I do not succeed, I try and try again...

1. Wanted
Saw this in the theater - figured it had Angelina Jolie, how bad could it be? BAD. My $10 would have been better spent on some good ice-cream or a new book.

2. Mistress of Spices
Who do these movies get made for? Are we not tired of cliches and the notion that "other" some how equates to "exotic"? Really not worth the time - but then again, the book was not good, so my expectations were set low.

3. Margot at the Wedding
I like Nicole Kidman, but this was too depressing a movie without any redeeming qualities what-so-ever. Do not bother

4. Pride
The first movie I've seen in ages that I actually liked. This one is worth watching.

Peddocks Island

Headed out to explore the Boston Harbor Islands yesterday. So many boats out - think everyone is so excited to see some sun after all the rain we've had. Picked up a mooring at Peddocks and enjoyed a wonderful afternoon and evening on the water. Spent the night, and just got back into the slip. I'm headed off to book club. Aren't weekends such fun?

Home Again

Back from a trip to Raleigh, NC - a flight that should have taken no more than 2 hours, took me almost a full day to get back. Since I always tend to see the sliver lining, here are some from this trip:

1. Skipped the rainy weather at home and spent some time in sunny NC
2. Was able to get a confirmed seat on a flight home yesterday - many people had to go stand-by all day
   
3. United put me up for the night at the Westin-Restin in a room at the Preferred Guest level - only wish I had more time to enjoy the room - simply wonderful
4. Got to catch up on my fave podcasts
5. Customer meetings went well

Back to fantastic weather. Am on the boat. Going sailing today. Life is Good.

I'd rather be sailing

Is it just me or is time simply whizzing by? How to make it slow down? One way for me is spending time on the boat. Here are pics of her in her slip. She's the sailboat with the blue dodger and the flag.

Cleo

Found this little stray kitten and named her Cleopatra - check out her eyes. She was hurt and starving - so after a week of R&R, and a visit to the vet, found her a good home.

Constitution Marina

Really love being at the marina. It feels like a world away, and is a great location from which to explore Boston.

Catching my breath

Sometimes there simply seems to be too much going on - and then I go to a wake and realize that every little bit of my life is important to me! Some random snippets:

• Kiwi cousins, Deepti and Sandhya, spent about 5 days with us on their whirl-wind tour of the US (Vegas, San Fran, Boston and NYC). It was fun to get to know the young women they have become - I last saw them when one was still in diapers (and yes, she's sick of hearing about it).
• Weather has been simply beautiful out here.
• Rafiki is still missing - though was given hope with a call this past weekend. It was not him, but a cute kitty badly hurt. The vet would not take her, the animal shelter is full, so she's home with us until someone calls for her (we've put up flyers), or we can find her a home. Calling her Cleo (short of Cleopatra), and when I post a pic you'll see why.
• A co-workers husband lost his battle with cancer this past Sat. Went to the wake yesterday - they had an open casket - which I was not expecting.
• My worldwide sales team is in town this week, and we had our board meeting yesterday.
• I'm in between books at the moment - cannot get settle my mind long enough to read.
  
• Finding that I need lots of sleep these days.
  

Jellies

It's jelly fish time at the marina. There are literally thousands of them - it looks like you could step of the docks and walk on them. This one must have needed a little alone time.

Floating B&B

Our marina has these little floating rooms that they rent out to visitors to Boston. It's an interesting way to get a slice of life of the city. Great views, and a walk to everything. But you gotta like roughing it a bit - if you do not camp, do not even think about it.
























The floating flower and herb garden.

Recent Reads

Yesterday, I finished The Friday Night Knitting Club - classic chick lit light. I needed a break from some of the non-fiction I'm currently reading, and this was my popcorn read of the week. Do not expect great writing, and it's not one you can brag about having read - but if you're in the mood for a light story about circle of friends give it a read. I picked up knitting myself a couple of years ago, and have only made scarves - so found some of the knitting misadventures fun.

There's something about getting books in the mail that is almost too pleasurable to bear. Looking forward to diving into 2 new books - this and this.

Tennis post-partum

What an incredible set of Wimbledon finals this past week. I don't think I've ever seen such good games. Was rooting for Venus, so glad she bit little sister Serena (us big sisters have to stick together). The men's final lasted all day, and I was wrung out at the end - and I was not even playing! Was rooting for Nadal - though have to respect the skill and conditioning both men displayed.

Recent Reads

1. My Stroke of Insight
Would highly recommend this quick read. It's amazing how much more we now know about the brain and how it works. One of the rare books that Babes and I both read. Give it a try - you'll have much to think and talk about. The link also has the short video presentation that the author did at TED.

2. The Moment it Clicks
Another good read, and when I was done, felt like I had completed a fun photography class. I'm always interested in how others see/perceive/capture moments, and this book does a bit of that as well.

Photo Walk

Scenes around town:

Boston Beach House

What a beautiful morning. This is the view from the cockpit looking south towards the North End.

LaBrea Tar Pits

In the middle of downtown LA, surrounded by office buildings and the HQ for the screen actors guild, the ground oozes black gooey stuff. This is not a movie set, as you might be forgiven for thinking - this is the LaBrea Tar Pits. Scientists and volunteers dig in search of fossils, and there have been massive amounts found - dirge wolves, camels, saber tooth cats, woolly mammoths, horses, and at least one person! Quite a fun way to spend an afternoon while in LA.

Digging in Pit #91:
























You can see additional LaBrea pics here.

Recent Reads

One of the wonderful things about a vacation is the opportunity to read as little or as much as I wish. Love lazing in bed (one cup rule) and sinking into a good book. Completed Unaccustomed Earth this past weekend. Love how this author tells stories - but have the same issue I've always had with shorts - by the time I really get into the story, it's over. Never-the-less this is a delightful read.

Have found that I love shorts read aloud. If you'd like to give it a go, download the PRI Selected Shorts from iTunes and enjoy. The stories are read by actors and are quite a delight.