Take that, CNN.

For an optimist like me, reading the news is depressing. It’s so bad that, sometimes during much-anticipated breaks at work, I wander upstairs to the break room to grab a soda and catch the latest headlines on CNN, and quickly realize that I’d rather work than listen to the negative, “political theatre” mumbo jumbo stories they’re covering.

For example, yesterday the topic of the show involved comparing US presidential candidates to famous terrorists. I’m sorry, is there nothing better going on in the world? Nothing? Anybody? Wow. You’ve successfully depressed me enough to actually compel me to run happily back to CAD-monkeyin’. You win this time, Wolf Blitzer…

That’s why I’m glad to have stumbled across the Good News Network, an on-line source for, well, non-depressing news. Check it out here.

While perusing said website recently, I found an interesting article about a few well-known leaders getting together to tackle some of the world’s biggest issues. No, it’s not the G-8 whatchamahoozit. Nor am I referring to Congress, NATO, or The Pentavirate (The Queen, The Vatican, The Gettys, The Rothschilds, and Colonel Sanders before he went tits up. Oh, I hated the Colonel with is wee beady eyes…)

Seriously though, I’m talking about the Nelson-Mandela-appointed group of well respected Elders; you may have heard of them- Desmond Tutu and Jimmy Carter are both newly appointed members whose mission it is to “work to support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict, and inspire hope where there is despair.” Humanity’s not going to hell in a hand-basket if these guys are working together.

The whole thing revolves around the idea of having tribal elders, who are trusted with decision making in times of conflict within communities. This group of respected leaders will now work together to guide our global community. Sounds good, right? When was the last time most of us could trust our leaders? What a concept.

Anyway, just the mere thought of all of these amazing people sitting down together at the same table makes me feel… refreshed. It may be my inner idealist/hippie speaking, but I feel like, when these people sit down at a table to talk business, something good has to come of it… I only hope we as a global community are smart enough to listen to what they have to tell us.

Learn more about The Elders here.

 

 

 

City Nights

There are a few things I miss about living in Colorado; pretty sunsets, Super Targets, easy access to fast food (what?), and of course, the Rio Grande Restaurant and their ridiculously delicious margaritas (their strength and deliciousness have been matched by no other marg in my experience thus far). Anyway, included in this list of what I miss most is one of my favorite summer events/venues, Film on the Rocks at the unforgettable Red Rocks Ampitheater in Morrison, Colorado.

I loved packing a picnic, grabbing a few of my closest friends, and rolling up to the gorgeous amphitheater to watch classic movies projected onto the rocks, underneath the stars… mmm-mmm-mmm!

Alas, I have left my beloved Red Rocks behind. (Insert frowny-face….myah.) Luckily, however, I’ve found a similar event here in Seattle which still allows for viewing movies under the summer stars: City Nights at Rainier Square Rooftop Park. Here, movies are projected onto the giant base of Rainier Tower and the great variety of film choices include The Bourne Supremecy. (Note: I have not seen either of the Bourne flicks, however I hear from trusted sources that Matt Damon is super hotty-hot-pants in it, therefor I will be attending with some girlfriends to whoop and holler at the screen. Ahhh, summer…)

Oh, and did I mention it’s free? My work here is done.

office manners police

A compilation of uncomfortable and refreshing occurances I’ve observed while working in various office environments so far. Feel free to share your own…

Uncomfortable: People clipping their fingernails, and not just on one finger. All of them. In an open office environment. With no cubicle walls to guard their actions visually or auditorily…ly. With everyone around. Can someone please explain this to me? I don’t whip out my razor and start shaving my legs in-between coffee breaks, thankyouverymuch. Also uncomfortable: filing ones’ nails in meetings.

Refreshing: Playing Rock-Paper-Scissors in order to determine which member of the team gets the task at hand. Hilarious!

Uncomfortable: Loudly planning ones wedding/divorce/painful breakup over the phone to a friend, lawyer, etc.. To me, it seems fair game that if you are open and willing to discuss your personal life over the phone around your co-workers, then it’s only natural for them to make fun of you later. It’s only fair.

Refreshing: Playing the “thumbs” drinking game in meetings. (Not as effective with coffee as it is with alcohol, but still amusing.)

Uncomfortable: Giving your co-worker (of the opposite sex) a pet rock from your desk, inscribed with the word LOVE on it. “Just because.” (I seriously witnessed this.)

Refreshing: Receiving a Friday-afternoon email referencing an inside joke about where we think elevators might go on vacation:

I can smell you from a mile away…

My good buddy, Erika, recently moved to Dallas to manage a cute little store called the Root Candles Studio, located in Dallas’ ultra-hip Inwood Village. The company, Root Candles, has been around forever, and their website is great… it includes a “LightStyle Quiz” that helps you determine which style of candle you would most enjoy (mine is Eclectic, go figure.)

Besides candles, the store, which opened in May, houses a bunch of other interesting and stylish merchandise as well, ranging from art to housewares to jewelry to everything else that’s pretty.

But, most importantly, the candles smell divine. I love my Ginger Citrus scented candle (thanks, Erika!)

They’re gonna be big, if they aren’t already.