You can't help but notice that when you are doing something you love time seems to fly by but if you are doing something you hate, or moan and groan about...like...sitting in a dentist chair, the time seems to drag (no offense to dentist...chalk it up to a bad childhood experience). 

But another way to guarantee that time will fly by is by setting a deadline.  I set a deadline for myself to do 524 new things in 2010.  Why?  Well first of all, why do it can be answered by saying "I wanted to get out of a rut".  And the 524?  That was a rather arbitrary decision...just a take off of the "Julie/Julia" movie where Julie cooked her way through Julia child's cookbook.  I have since figured out that doing 524 new things is harder than I expected and I may not make it there...but that if I don't that will be okay as well, as long as I enjoyed the ride.  Because in the last couple of months I decided that to do something just for the sake of getting one more item on my list probably isn't really getting me where I want to be anyway.  The key is that the Quest keeps me questioning myself as to what I am or am not doing.  It helps me push myself to do more, get out more, try more things etc and it's working.  I may not be on track to reach that magic number but I am enjoying some new experiences I might not have tried if not for my quest.  So here's my first quarter update.

I'm at 72 new items.  You'll notice on the list that I started going to an exercise bootcamp at 5:30 in the morning 3 mornings a week this month.  Originally I thought that would only count as one item...however I decided as difficult as it is for me to get my butt out of bed at that time of day to do something I don't enjoy (sorry to Stephanie my awesome trainer...) but I don't care how you slice and dice it exercising is not fun for me...period, end of sentence.  And to make me jump, run and sprint, well that is plain mean.  Not Jillian on Biggest Loser mean, but hey I'm the oldest in the group, haven't worked out in years and I never was a jock.  To be honest...there are moments in most every class that I find myself actually wanting the trainer to say something about the fact that I am jogging around the room not kicking my heels to my butt as hard as I should.  Or I'm taking too long of a break between push ups.  Or those jumping things, with your feet together...well forget what i'm thinking there.  But she doesn't say a word.  She must see my mind working, there I am almost spoiling for a fight.  Then when 6:30 rolls around and we're done for another day and we walk out of there our faces red and sweating like pigs, I am proud of myself for making it through.)  So anyway every day doing this is a new experience for me so I'm counting it as such.

Another highlight for the month...I auditioned for a small part in what I think is a Feature Film.  Even though I almost didn't go to the audition, for one it was in Dallas, and for two it was described to be an "elderly woman" (though admittedly the writer must be in his early 20s as he then said, in her 50s-60s...ouch) with white hair streaked with brown.  I had to pull back my ego and remind myself that I am in my 50s-60s.  But anyway thanks to my Quest I decided to go ahead and audition.  After a call back and some days of assuming I didn't get it, I got word I got the part.  Yay!!!  it films in Tennessee which will be a first as well as I've never been on location out of the area and I've never been to Tennessee. 

I'm also learning to relax more, even if that means reading "junk" books (I'll hit my 100 books probably mid summer).   I go to Starbucks often enough now that they know to fix me Green Tea before I even open my mouth.  Then I sit and read a bit.  I'm getting to know some regulars and as I reuse the tea bags several times it really isn't a lot of money.  I can relax there easier than at home as I home office and feel the need to be on the computer or phone whenever I'm there.  I used to hide my book cover when I was reading a romance novel or such...now not so much.  It is what it is and if it is one of the few things that help me forget about the client that is driving me nuts or the fact a deal fell through...so be it, heck with what others think.

So yes I'm behind schedule, but you know what?  I'm enjoying life more and I think my blood pressure has gone down.  Things don't upset me as much or as quickly as they used to...so all in all the first quarter went very fast, but feels pretty good.

49 and 50 Down and 474 to go in my Quest to have 524 new experiences in 2010

I mentioned earlier that a colleague and I started a non-fiction readers group.  Our plan is to agree upon a non-fiction book (one that is an easy read and would have ideas, concepts that we could immediately put into use in our daily lives.)

The first book we chose my colleague had already started reading titled "How to Win Friends and Influence People".  This classic was written (or at least copywrited) back in 1936 yet the concepts are totally relevant today, maybe even more so as we have pulled further and further away from "face time" and into the world of email and texting. 

I was surprised that for a quick read this book has nuggets of information that you can put into daily life, whether in business or in personal lives.  Things you know, you've heard before but somewhere, like daily flossing, you just sometimes got to busy to do it...yet by not doing it you are only hurting yourself, your life and your health and happiness...

A few very simple things that you can do totally FREE that can make a difference?  

SMILE...it changes you as much as it changes how people respond to you. 

REMEMBER PEOPLE'S NAMES...the most beautiful word for a person is their name...it is unique to them...they like to hear it...use it!  (I cop out on this one saying...I'm bad with names.  But boy does this book make you see you are busted!!!  xxxxxxxxxxxx but as Carnegie said in the book, major moguls felt if you weren't able to remember a name then you weren't able to remember key aspects to the rest of your business)

LISTEN...

Bottom Line:  I recommend you pick up a copy.  What a difference it can make!

48 Down... 476 to go on my Quest to have 524 new experiences in 2010

I've lived in the Austin area for 8 years or so, and never was one to pull over and stop at one of the local stands, or Gulf Stream type vendors or even the little 'hole in the wall' restaurants you see along the side of the road. 

It's not that I didn't think of doing it, quite the opposite, as I pass the "Turkey Jerky vendor", or "Cupcake trailer" or any number of BBQ spots, I always give a passing thought to "I wonder if they're any good", Or "I've got to stop and try that place sometime.  But I never, never, did...

I was always too busy going somewhere, or too tired and just wanting to get home (Seems to be a common thread in my life as a reason for not doing new things). or I didn't have enough cash with me (another theme).  So I've decided that I will start checking these places out...they are of course part of what makes Austin...well Austin.  Yeah, the food is probably fattening as all get out  and will cause me to gain some unneeded pounds...but hey...it's all for the Quest right????

With this in mind I stopped at a BBQ place the other evening.  Now I've driven by this place, many, many, manytimes.  It's the kind of food establishment that has outdoor area with picnic tables and you walk up to the window to order, must have cash etc.  The food was good.  Not OMG I am going to recommend to everyone that they come kind of good, but good...I had a good meal and had great leftovers the next day for lunch. 

What was the name of the restaurant you might ask?  Well I've decided as I try some of these places I'll only name the ones that I felt were "Knock your socks off" kind of good, those that I know I will go back to...this wasn't one.  Again it was good and my daughter really liked it, but for me it will remain nameless.  I'm glad I stopped though...now the next time I drive by it I won't be thinking, "I've got to try that place some time."  Instead I'll think, "That was item 48 on my list of new things to experience."

The Quest, how it began and why 524

The Quest: Update January 2010

47 Down and 477 to go on my Quest to have 524 New Experiences in 2010

A couple of days ago I caught snowflakes in my mouth and enjoyed the beauty and simplicity of a snowy day in Austin.   It reminded me of growing up in the country where we didn't lock the doors most of the time, and as kids we'd leave the house in the morning and not be back until dinner and no one worried.  Summer nights all of the neighborhood kids would gather and play and sweat and have to come in after dark when our parents called saying it was time for bed. 

Well yesterday I took a bit of a detour on my way from a meeting and drove by the site where the Cessna plane flew into the side of a building.  I sat in the parking lot across the street and thought about it for a moment.  What it was like for those drivers coming down 183 (the highway right beside the building) because the plane had to be REALLY low to hit the first floor.  I've been in the building several times before and I thought how random life seems to be sometimes.  Someone might have just walked down the hall a few minutes earlier and had they stopped and talked to someone, they might have been the one in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

Looking at the gaping hole in the side of the building was ... troubling...to say the least.  It was a tiny fraction of what happened at 911 but even something of this magnitude can leave scars.  I wonder as people drive down that highway everyday if they are going to get used to the sight and not notice it, or are they going to, even for an instant, think about the man, who from everything I've heard was a wonderful guy who lost his life just doing his job that day, or instead will they give that moment of thought to think about the sick man that caused it all to happen. 

Funny, thing...in all of his planning he chose the part of the building that had vacant offices, the tragedy could have been hundreds of times worse, so even in this sad event there was perhaps a miracle of sorts.  

Oh and back to all of those hot summer Indiana nights that I was remembering so fondly...I just recalled we would choose what everyone wanted to play and sometimes they chose Red Rover (which I hated as I was the smallest, hence the weakest, and they'd always run through me, still not sure what that was a fun game anyone), or another of my favorites...not...was dodge ball (again some of those kids had strong arms...I'm sure today both of those games would result in lawsuits, complaints etc...)

46 Down...478 to go in my Quest to have 524 New experiences in 2010

It snowed today in Austin...I mean really snowed, the big snowflakes that I remembered seeing growing up in the Midwest.  At was at Starbucks and I was with a client writing up a contract.  When the snow started we stopped our discussions, she called her mom to make sure that her mom took out her son to see the snow.  Then we looked at each other and started laughing.  Don't tell me how we knew but both of us wanted to go out in it.  A couple of the workers at Starbucks and a few other patrons went out as well.  We just stood in the falling snow, catching it with our tongues and laughing.  I felt some of the joy I felt in childhood run through me.  It was silly and no one seemed to care. 

Then we went back in, finished the contract and my clients left.  I sat and finished a cup of tea and watched the snow continue to fall.  When I walked back to the care and scraped off the windows...something I hadn't done in ... in decades it seems, I just smiled.  Then when I got in the car I cranked up the Christmas music (an earlier experience was to keep three Christmas CDs in the car throughout the entire year as the music always cheers me up), but this time I could almost believe I was in Indiana having a White Christmas.  I literally laughed out loud and couldn't get the smile off my face as I headed home.  The thought of the contract, real estate, debts, clients...all of it was out of my mind I was just enjoying the moment....snow in Austin how cool is that???

45 Down....479 to go on my Quest to make changes and have 524 new experiences in 2010

A difficult part about working from home is you are never away from work.  At least it's an issue for me.  Another difficult thing is that my daughter works for me and she doesn't like to come over and visit on her "off time" because coming to my house is coming to "work".  While I haven't addressed the second part yet as I see her point, I have found a solution for the first part.

One of the changes I hope for this year in my Quest was the ability to relax more...just sit and let my mind rest, put aside the phone for a few moments anyway, not think about the next deal, or how I can grow the business, pay the bills etc etc.  So I started reading again.  Reading of all kinds, from romance, to mystery, to sci fi and fantasy to business (though not as relaxing).  I forgot just how much I enjoyed reading.  As a child it had always been an escape for me, a way to take my mind off what I'm doing and for a moment at least, go somewhere else. 

However I found reading at home (where I also work) wasn't relaxing.  I would find my mind wondering, thinking about all of the other things I should be doing with my time, what I needed to clean, what I needed to cook (which is rare...maybe what I needed to eat or have ready for my daughter) or more than likely what emails I needed to write. 

I have discovered this year that there's nothing wrong with leaving home.  Yep...just get up and leave in the middle of the day.  Seems silly but it works.  I started going to a nearby Starbucks for a cup of tea (I use the teabag several times, even bringing it home and using again later so it's pretty cost efficient).  While there I'd set my phone to ring in 45 minutes or so, just enough to wind down and relax.  Then I'd head back to the office/my home refreshed and much "lighter"

At first I felt guilty about my little escape (I was raised Catholic and I swear I can feel guilty about anything).  But I'd remember mom saying idle hands make an idle mind or something like that.  How could I waste my time sitting in a coffee shop just reading.  But you know what?  I'm enjoying it.  Once in a while I'm embarrassed being "caught" reading some trashy romance novel, but hey let me tell you it is an escape and for a period of time I have NO worries!  NONE!  I think my blood pressure my drop.  It's great!  

But I found another benefit of getting out...I discovered that as I sit in Starbucks, I'm talking to people more.  I'm becoming a bit more social.  Yeah, it's superficial stuff...but you know what...that's fine with me. I quickly came to realize in some ways I was using my home/office as a "cave".  I'd be with clients, then I'd go to my cave and hide.  So this is a change that I think is helping me in more ways than one.  For anyone that works from home...

44 down 480 to go in my Quest to have 524 new experiences in 2010

This is one of those experiences I could have done without...however it was a learning experience which after all is part of my goal in 2010. 

I was slicing some sausage yesterday and my mind wasn't on what I was doing.  In the blink of an eye I cut off my thumb nail (not my thumb itself, just the nail part). 

It startled me back to the moment.  I realized that my mind was not on slicing the meat, rather I had just gotten off the phone with not one client but with two and I was reflecting on the conversations. Dumb and potentially dangerous move... I sliced right through my nail in a heart beat.  

I know how closely I came to taking off the top of my thumb with that move and thanked my lucky stars it didn't happen.  It was a reminder that I need to be more present in the moment, not so scattered in the future.  Multi tasking should not be done with a sharp knife in hand.

The Quest, how it began and why 524

The Quest: Update January 2010

43 down....481 to go on my Quest to have 524 new experiences in 2010

Now this experience I could have done without...I worked out yesterday morning in a boot camp for charity with five of the Biggest Loser Alumnaes joining in.  They didn't run the program, so it wasn't like you see on the tv show, they joined us all in the workout and gave us moral support and a lot of comic relief. 

Well anyway to the new experience...I am sore...I mean really sore because of a workout.  I have never, ever, ever been athletic or much more than an observer in sports.  I put some of the blame on my upbringing.  I never once saw my parents exercise, nor any of my brothers and sisters before me.  I went to a private school where funds were tight so there were no sports programs for girls.  I remember as a young kid I was in everything, but then when middle and high school came...nothing was available so I did nothing. 

Once college came around I was a competitive enough person that if I couldn't compete well I didn't participate  (yep bad decision but what can I say).  So my body did not know what hit it when I worked out yesterday in a fashion I had never done before.  This morning every muscle appears to be advising me that that was not the brightest of moves...

Yet I know I am being a wimp.  Whining about nothing.  I watched the Olympics last night and saw an update on the cross country skiier who 'flew' off the path in warmups due to ice and hit a rock.  She was obviously in pain but fought back to i think run in two heats and ended up getting third place.  Turns out she did so with four broken ribs!!!  Here I am walking down the stairs as if I'm a hundred years old.  Went to reach up to get a coffee cup...YIKES!  (I'm not sure if I have the push ups or the tricep thingees that you lower yourself to the floor from the chair to thank for that one).  So as I make it through my day today, Aleve, a bath and a heating pad will be my companions.  And as I sit with the heating pad on my sore back and watch the Olympics I will once again take my hat off to ALL of the Olympians and anyone that participates in atheletics, feels the pain, and continues ahead.   

So this new experience was a learning one for me...I am out of shape and need to work out but I need to keep in mind my age and physical condition....I may look slender but I am definitely not in good shape.

The Quest, how it began and why 524

The Quest: Update January 2010

42 down ...482 to go in my Quest to have 524 new experiences in 2010

This morning 5:30am sharp a group of about 30 men and women met to have a work out with five of the past "Biggest Loser" Alumnae.  There wasn't much time for chit chat as Stephanie Poole our "Jillian" starting putting us through our paces.  Let me tell you as one of the oldest in the group of thirty or so I was whipped in a matter of minutes.  There is no way I could be on that show a when I felt like I had done enough I pretty much stopped...if Jillian from the Biggest Losers were here she would have called me a wimp...a title I accept gladly as I lay panting after the Superman lifts (flat on stomach lifting arms and legs at the same time...after a few I would skip a few as I lay wondering what I had gotten myself in for.)  It was obvious pretty quickly that perhaps coming to this special event was not the best way to start working out after months of inactivity. 

Now that it is behind me I can't say the experience was fun.  There was a lot of laughter and chatter as we did drills, I however could not participate as I was breathing to heavy to speak and my heart was pounding to hard to hear anything.  But the alums from the TV show were right there working out with us. 

But when it was over and I was dragging myself back to the car (the endorphines were not yet kicking in).  I was proud.  Not because I was able to keep up but because I at least showed up.  And showing up is really what life is all about. 

But here it is twelve hours later, only 6PM and I am seriously considering going to bed...actually I'm not considering it at all, after I press "Post" I AM going to bed.  The only reason I got off the bed to write this blog is my commitment to write a blog entry every day this month as one of my "new experiences".  (The month is almost over so why blow it by missing a day.)

So as I sit here feeling like a wet noodle and starting to feel my muscles announcing their displeasure at this morning's activities, I can no longer pretend that I am in any kind of shape at all.  I was blissfully unaware actually of how unfit I was until this morning.  If not for vanity (which is important and a great motivator), I know now that for health reasons I should be able to handle more than a couple of push ups or laps in the room without collapsing.  So one of my next items might be the signing up for one of the three times a week boot camps they talked about this morning...in any case I'll sleep on the idea and let you know. 

My hat goes off to all of those Olympians who train every day. 

I made myself a promise a year ago...that I would never have a pity party about how things were going in my life no matter how bad a day I'm having or how bad I might be feeling.  I am very aware that even on my worst day there are many who would trade places with me and that always puts things in perspective.

Well today was one of those days that this was very obvious.  Never did it seem so clear as a moment this morning where I could almost feel lives changing around me...

There I was safe in my home watching some Olympic Coverage.  I watched as the cameras caught the faces of atheletes as their dreams were being crushed, or as their dreams were coming true.  Then the covereage was interrupted with news that in NW Austin, in a building I've been in a number of times, a plane crashed into the side of the building. Undoubtedly some lives may have ended at that moment, while other lives have been changed forever.  As I glanced at my watch I realized that even as this drama was unfolding, I knew in another state one of my sisters was at that very moment undergoing some painful tests to determine how serious a heart condition she has.   

Joy, sadness, tragedy, pain, worry, excitement, uncertainty, anger, the emotions are all being felt at any single moment in time somewhere around the world, around our city, or even in our own families.  It's a reminder to me that we need to embrace where we are at any moment in time, the good and the bad, the highs and the lows.  And...if I ever even begin to think about feeling sorry for myself, I'll take a moment and ask myself..."is there anyone that would want to change places with me?", likely as not I'm sure there are and likely as not, if I could wave a magic wand and change places with them?  I bet not... 'cause I can see that from where I'm standing things are looking pretty darn good and I have nothing to complain about.