Tremendous Blondette

Stumbling up the stairs looking kind of like Frankenstein’s Creature lumbering awkwardly with arms outstretched- picture it. That’s me.

Two Saturday’s ago I was lying on my couch trying to stay awake. I could have slept the day away. Instead, I put on my tennis shoes and moved it, moved it. (Yes, I quoted cartoon animals.) I sucked up the sunshine and moved my body into a state of awakeness.

And Sunday came and I did it again.

And Monday came and I did it again.

Tuesday and Wednesday brought rain.

Thursday and Friday brought illness.

But Saturday…well, Saturday brought a goal. I decided I was going to walk at least 5 miles. A perfectly symmetrical forehead sunburn and 2 or so hours later, I’d walked 7-8 miles around my northland neighborhood. When I got home I realized that my bangs had been sticking out for more than half the walk because I’d moved my headband down to my hairline. (hence the symmetry of the burn.)

I’ve learned a few things and I think my butt is tighter. Did you know that people put a lot of crap in their garages and leave the door open so you can see it all? Yep. Did you know there are a ton of cops in my neighborhood. Yep. (I live fairly close to a police station.) Did you know you’ll see natural prairie grass- right by my house? Oh, and there’s a random body of water just down the street? And there’s a little puppy who looks like a fox.

But just so you know, there are hills here and you can pull muscles walking.

QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability in Work and in Life by John G. Miller

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
My company used to have a book club in which the entire staff participated. Prior to my becoming a full time employee with the company and being included in this activity, they read “QBQ!” The book continues to be referenced by executive management and our Account Service Department is reading the book together. Well, I couldn’t be left out, so I had to buy it and read it for myself. I learned a few of the principles in this book though my own failings earlier in life (okay, within the last 12 years) and truly believe in the power of personal accountability. I take away an even greater depth to some of the basics I’ve already embraced and something I can share as I coach my team at work. No, I can’t change them, but I can share this book. Favorites for me: you always have a choice (I’ve been saying this for years.) Stress is a choice. Think in “I” terms not them. Do not adopt victim mentality. It’s energizing to read a book and flip your thinking.

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Me with the key to my house. They aren't lying when they say you have to sign a lot of papers. And initial. I started misspelling my last name-- all FOUR letters of it. And Catherine is a kind of a long first name. But there I am with my key! My reward for not so awesome penmanship and a few thousand dollars. (or so) My hair looks great!

Okay, well now I’m off to go play at Home Depot and Hobby Lobby. tee hee.

We all have alter egos. Last Thursday I called mine Cupcake. Here’s the backstory.

Every quarter my company hosts an outing for the employees. It’s a nice way to get everyone out, moving, thinking, interacting, and destressed for an afternoon. One department takes the hosting and planning reigns. This quarter, for the first time ever, my department (yep, I have one) was given the hosting honor. Past outings have been to the Royals Home Opener, Powerplay KC, a KC Amazing Race (note to self: never wear cowboy boots on the day of an outing again), and a KC area scavenger hunt.

I am now completely convinced of 2 things:  my department can make some cash on the side by opening a costume shop and we totally have the Halloween costume competition in the bag. Planning was fun and the ladies in my department totally took the initiative to get everything done, leaving me to “supervise.”

Thus on Thursday, June 25th, we presented “Company X’s* Got Talent.” The ladies headed over to our venue early, leaving me to corral the troops. After two all pages on the intercom, I headed to the main conference room where I proceeded to stand on the conference room table and give direction. Once everyone was informed of the plan and numbered off, I lead them like little ducklings to the scene of our talent show. Let me just say, I was impressed with the creativity that came out of my fellow coworkers.

We rewarded them with an afternoon of beverages and appetizers at the Marquee downtown. Oh yeah, and the winners got tickets to AMC.

My role in the event was that of hostess, whereby I dubbed myself Cupcake. I was the unifying voice (ha!) My job was to be loud and funny.

Here’s where this gets to be something I’d actually write about on my personal blog. I’m not an extrovert. I’m a performer. They are not the same thing. I still need down time, chill time, me time. I process everything at a highly internal level. I am more likely to turn inward and analyze and process than to express and seek outside contact. I still love being with just one or two people at a time. But, I got up in front of 40 people and stood on a table. I got up in front of 40 people and cracked jokes. I got up in front of 40 people and handed out awards. I worked the tables. Sober.

And the week before, I was at a conference for 4 days where all I did was talk to people. Me.

Of course, I left the outing around 5:30 (this is also when Michael Jackson died) and fell asleep by 7:30pm. Thus proving that it takes a lot of energy for me to be so outgoing and engaging.

Anyway, I’m proud of myself and I’m not ashamed to say it. Where I am now, who I am now sort of blows my mind some days. I never thought I’d be here. And that gives me hope for all of the dreams that are yet unaccomplished.

Your Hostess, Cupcake with the judges.

*you don’t need to know where I work

New goal: complete posts when the emotion and impetus is fresh. Often times I start a post and edit it several times before I publish it (because I’m a perfectionist.)