It's the Yves Saint Laurent CHYC Wallet. Very sophisticated, and very unlike me in style. But I love it!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Y Not Have Something Beautiful For Your Money?
Racing green and luscious in leather...
It's the Yves Saint Laurent CHYC Wallet. Very sophisticated, and very unlike me in style. But I love it!
It's the Yves Saint Laurent CHYC Wallet. Very sophisticated, and very unlike me in style. But I love it!
You're Not "Dramatic." You're Just "Creative."
A recent conversation between me and a friend over cocktails...
"I just don't understand how I keep falling into this cycle!" said the friend.
They had recently found themselves in a situation similar to previous points in their life. It was work-related, of course.
"It's not what I expected. And I just don't think I can deal with the evilness that is around me much longer," they said.
I laughed. And laughed. And laughed.
"I think that's called 'real life.' We all feel that way occasionally about jobs we've had."
"I feel that way all the time!" they said. "It is always like this! I'm sorry. I know. I am so 'dramatic'."
I thought about it for a second, and then told them I didn't so much see them that way.
"You not 'dramatic'," I said. "I see you more as 'creative.' And it's been said that 'creative people need something to rebel against'."
This made them feel better. Because it's true.
I never see myself as 'dramatic.' Always as 'creative.' Always.
"I just don't understand how I keep falling into this cycle!" said the friend.
They had recently found themselves in a situation similar to previous points in their life. It was work-related, of course.
"It's not what I expected. And I just don't think I can deal with the evilness that is around me much longer," they said.
I laughed. And laughed. And laughed.
"I think that's called 'real life.' We all feel that way occasionally about jobs we've had."
"I feel that way all the time!" they said. "It is always like this! I'm sorry. I know. I am so 'dramatic'."
I thought about it for a second, and then told them I didn't so much see them that way.
"You not 'dramatic'," I said. "I see you more as 'creative.' And it's been said that 'creative people need something to rebel against'."
This made them feel better. Because it's true.
I never see myself as 'dramatic.' Always as 'creative.' Always.
Mad Men: What Is Your Price?
The past few seasons of Mad Men have proved to be kind of "meh."
I watched though, having been committed to the series since that first season in late Summer 2007. Also, because I work in the media buying/advertising industry, I find it fascinating!
This season, though, has been fantastic. I have enjoyed every episode... No matter how dark and slow-moving. And last night's episode is no exception. In fact, it was my favorite episode of the season so far!
SPOILER ALERT - IF YOU READ PAST THIS POINT, YOU WILL BE "SPOILED" IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED LAST NIGHT'S EPISODE. BETCHES, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! SO NO WHINING!
I don't recall every last freaking detail of the episode. But there were two themes that fascinated me:
Joan Being Pimped Out
Sterling Cooper Draper Price is still a "B-" agency. They need an airline or an auto account to make them truly "legit." Jaguar (the car company) is their opportunity to become "A-List" in the agency world.
But no matter how good their creative, one of the voting member of Jaguar's decision team has made it clear that unless he gets what he wants, SCDP will not be getting the business. And he puts what he wants very clearly to Pete Campbell and Kenny Cosgrove... He wants a night with the pretty red head.
That, of course, being Joan.
Kenny is against it. Pete, being a partner in the agency, knows how desperate the agency is. He proposes the idea to Joan, who pretty much tells him to "fuck off."
Pete then take the idea to the other partners (Roger, Bert, Skeevy Mr. Price and Don). Don is the only one really appalled by the idea. The others aren't "fans" of it. But they know what this means to the business. Don leaves the room. The other four "vote" to offer Joan what is essentially a $50k stake in the company.
Mr. Price takes it upon himself to present the idea to Joan in a diplomatic manner to convince her. He tells her (essentially), "If you do it, you should ask for 5% of the company and to become a partner." He indicates that the other partners are favorable to the idea, and would be grateful to her.
Joan agrees to it, and tells Pete her price. She tells him she wants papers by the end of the day.
And she does it. And then she is made a partner.
The next morning, the pitch goes down. And true to agency pitches (being experienced in this area myself) the SCDP crew walks into Jaguar just as another agency pitching the business walks out. The creative is spot-on. The voting members at Jaguar love it.
It's no contest.
SCDP wins the business. They are told none of the other agencies even came close.
Makes you wonder if they still would have won it if Joan hadn't done the deed with the nasty guy from Jaguar. But what is done is done. And the pimping of Joan was done against Don's knowledge. He finds out after.
Who knew Don Draper would become the moral compass of the show?
Peggy Evaluating Her Role In the Agency
Peggy seems to be on the shit-end of the stick in this season. She supervises the copy department. And while she may have the respect from the agency in her role, the clients do not see a woman as being equal to a man. There are accounts where she is flat-out not allowed to work on them with the client's knowledge. SCDP does nothing to discourage this idea with the clients. So while she has come a long way with SCDP knowing they need her, she still is considered "second class."
She finally decides "enough is enough."
She takes a meeting with a competing agency. She says she wants $18k a year. They offer her $19k a year.
It seems that she wasn't really sure that this was going come to fruition... A legitimate and good offer. The opportunity to really be treated as an equal. She tells them she needs to think about things.
It's the morning after the pitch. SCDP finds out they won the Jaguar business. Peggy runs into Don (who has just found out what Joan did) and tells him she needs to talk to him.
He thinks she is going to ask to be put on the account.
"Peggy, you know I can't have you work on Jaguar. These cary guys wouldn't have it."
She says that she needs to speak in private to him. I think him saying that is what really cements her decisions. She realizes that while Don has provided her a lot of opportunities... He can't do anything more to further her.
She thanks him for everything. She tells him she is leaving to another agency. He offers her more money to stay, even more than what the other agency is willing to pay her.
But, unlike Joan, Peggy doesn't have a price.
She tells him that it's time for her to move on. The subtext is, "You guys aren't going to change. So fuck you."
Peggy leaves SCDP immediately.
You can tell by Don's expression, he respects her more than ever before.
In both cases, you have a woman who is critical to the agency. One is asked to use her feminine wiles to secure business. The other - extremely talented - is asked to step aside and let the men be the face of the business.
One submits to the wishes of the men, in order to save the business. The other decides it is no longer worth her energy.
This was an EXCELLENT episode.
I watched though, having been committed to the series since that first season in late Summer 2007. Also, because I work in the media buying/advertising industry, I find it fascinating!
This season, though, has been fantastic. I have enjoyed every episode... No matter how dark and slow-moving. And last night's episode is no exception. In fact, it was my favorite episode of the season so far!
SPOILER ALERT - IF YOU READ PAST THIS POINT, YOU WILL BE "SPOILED" IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED LAST NIGHT'S EPISODE. BETCHES, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! SO NO WHINING!
I don't recall every last freaking detail of the episode. But there were two themes that fascinated me:
- Joan Being Pimped Out
- Peggy Evaluating Her Role Within the Agency
Joan Being Pimped Out
Sterling Cooper Draper Price is still a "B-" agency. They need an airline or an auto account to make them truly "legit." Jaguar (the car company) is their opportunity to become "A-List" in the agency world.
But no matter how good their creative, one of the voting member of Jaguar's decision team has made it clear that unless he gets what he wants, SCDP will not be getting the business. And he puts what he wants very clearly to Pete Campbell and Kenny Cosgrove... He wants a night with the pretty red head.
That, of course, being Joan.
Kenny is against it. Pete, being a partner in the agency, knows how desperate the agency is. He proposes the idea to Joan, who pretty much tells him to "fuck off."
Pete then take the idea to the other partners (Roger, Bert, Skeevy Mr. Price and Don). Don is the only one really appalled by the idea. The others aren't "fans" of it. But they know what this means to the business. Don leaves the room. The other four "vote" to offer Joan what is essentially a $50k stake in the company.
Mr. Price takes it upon himself to present the idea to Joan in a diplomatic manner to convince her. He tells her (essentially), "If you do it, you should ask for 5% of the company and to become a partner." He indicates that the other partners are favorable to the idea, and would be grateful to her.
Joan agrees to it, and tells Pete her price. She tells him she wants papers by the end of the day.
And she does it. And then she is made a partner.
The next morning, the pitch goes down. And true to agency pitches (being experienced in this area myself) the SCDP crew walks into Jaguar just as another agency pitching the business walks out. The creative is spot-on. The voting members at Jaguar love it.
It's no contest.
SCDP wins the business. They are told none of the other agencies even came close.
Makes you wonder if they still would have won it if Joan hadn't done the deed with the nasty guy from Jaguar. But what is done is done. And the pimping of Joan was done against Don's knowledge. He finds out after.
Who knew Don Draper would become the moral compass of the show?
Peggy Evaluating Her Role In the Agency
Peggy seems to be on the shit-end of the stick in this season. She supervises the copy department. And while she may have the respect from the agency in her role, the clients do not see a woman as being equal to a man. There are accounts where she is flat-out not allowed to work on them with the client's knowledge. SCDP does nothing to discourage this idea with the clients. So while she has come a long way with SCDP knowing they need her, she still is considered "second class."
She finally decides "enough is enough."
She takes a meeting with a competing agency. She says she wants $18k a year. They offer her $19k a year.
It seems that she wasn't really sure that this was going come to fruition... A legitimate and good offer. The opportunity to really be treated as an equal. She tells them she needs to think about things.
It's the morning after the pitch. SCDP finds out they won the Jaguar business. Peggy runs into Don (who has just found out what Joan did) and tells him she needs to talk to him.
He thinks she is going to ask to be put on the account.
"Peggy, you know I can't have you work on Jaguar. These cary guys wouldn't have it."
She says that she needs to speak in private to him. I think him saying that is what really cements her decisions. She realizes that while Don has provided her a lot of opportunities... He can't do anything more to further her.
She thanks him for everything. She tells him she is leaving to another agency. He offers her more money to stay, even more than what the other agency is willing to pay her.
But, unlike Joan, Peggy doesn't have a price.
She tells him that it's time for her to move on. The subtext is, "You guys aren't going to change. So fuck you."
Peggy leaves SCDP immediately.
You can tell by Don's expression, he respects her more than ever before.
In both cases, you have a woman who is critical to the agency. One is asked to use her feminine wiles to secure business. The other - extremely talented - is asked to step aside and let the men be the face of the business.
One submits to the wishes of the men, in order to save the business. The other decides it is no longer worth her energy.
This was an EXCELLENT episode.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Three Year Itch.
Three years ago, pretty much this weekend, I moved to Toronto.
The plan was to get acclimated to the city, relax, buy a house and let the future unfold. I was also planning on attending Bikram Yoga Teacher Training that Fall in Las Vegas.
But life changed.
It was mostly due to us buying the house. I freaked out about buying something so expensive and being in debt. And the only income was going to be The Husband's. We hadn't been in debt before as a couple. The Husband hadn't ever been in debt before in his life. (Me, though. I was very experienced with small debt.) But being in a new city, with a new mortgage... I turned into a stressball.
"Dude," The Husband said. "Chill out. Everything will be fine."
"Fine?" I asked. "How can you be sure? What if something happens to you? I can't rely on you to carry the weight for this."
So, as anyone who knows me could have predicted... I went in search of a job. And it only took me three weeks to find one. And it was a good job. One that allowed me to grow even more than I had in a few years. But after two years, I got restless.
Not with what I was doing day-to-day. But with my salary and my ability to provide for my husband. So explored opportunities in New York and Boston... Two cities I had lived in before and absolutely adored.
"It will be nice to live in one of them again and have a better work-life balance than I have now," I told myself.
"Do you really think you're going to have a better balance in NYC?" The Husband asked. "Last time you lived there, all you did was work."
"Yes, exactly," I said to him. "It's a different culture in the work world there. People work non-stop and they love it. I want to go back to that."
He was supportive, as usual, and pushed me along this adventure. I landed a job. I found an apartment. I created my own world. I planned to get healthy and become more focused and inspired than I was. And most importantly, I was going to be able to afford my life in NYC as well as build a nest-egg to help support my couple life.
Or so I thought.
All I've done here since arriving is work. I've attempted a few yoga challenges, hoping to revive my energy. But have failed miserably at them.
I head to work each morning at about 8:30am, and arrive about an hour before most people on my team. Actually, before most people at the agency. I sometimes remember to eat lunch. But subsist mostly on coffee during the day. I try to leave work by 6pm at the latest... But often find myself at my desk till about 7:30pm. And by then, all I want to do is go home and eat something.
For the most part, I am pretty happy with this. It was exactly what I was looking for with this move.
But now, three years after making my decision to dive back into work (even though that wasn't the plan), I find myself wondering what it would be like to not work. Sure, I've had "not working" stints before in my life. But never with the ease of not having to worry about money as much, because we've paid the house down to a point where I don't worry about it.
Plus, the house down the street sold for about 32% more than what my neighbors paid for it 6 months before we bought ours. So if money becomes an issue, I am confident we could get more for the house than what we paid.
Knowing this make the idea of trying to explore other interests actually feasible for me. Three years ago, it was "nice in theory."
The plan was to get acclimated to the city, relax, buy a house and let the future unfold. I was also planning on attending Bikram Yoga Teacher Training that Fall in Las Vegas.
But life changed.
It was mostly due to us buying the house. I freaked out about buying something so expensive and being in debt. And the only income was going to be The Husband's. We hadn't been in debt before as a couple. The Husband hadn't ever been in debt before in his life. (Me, though. I was very experienced with small debt.) But being in a new city, with a new mortgage... I turned into a stressball.
"Dude," The Husband said. "Chill out. Everything will be fine."
"Fine?" I asked. "How can you be sure? What if something happens to you? I can't rely on you to carry the weight for this."
So, as anyone who knows me could have predicted... I went in search of a job. And it only took me three weeks to find one. And it was a good job. One that allowed me to grow even more than I had in a few years. But after two years, I got restless.
Not with what I was doing day-to-day. But with my salary and my ability to provide for my husband. So explored opportunities in New York and Boston... Two cities I had lived in before and absolutely adored.
"It will be nice to live in one of them again and have a better work-life balance than I have now," I told myself.
"Do you really think you're going to have a better balance in NYC?" The Husband asked. "Last time you lived there, all you did was work."
"Yes, exactly," I said to him. "It's a different culture in the work world there. People work non-stop and they love it. I want to go back to that."
He was supportive, as usual, and pushed me along this adventure. I landed a job. I found an apartment. I created my own world. I planned to get healthy and become more focused and inspired than I was. And most importantly, I was going to be able to afford my life in NYC as well as build a nest-egg to help support my couple life.
Or so I thought.
All I've done here since arriving is work. I've attempted a few yoga challenges, hoping to revive my energy. But have failed miserably at them.
I head to work each morning at about 8:30am, and arrive about an hour before most people on my team. Actually, before most people at the agency. I sometimes remember to eat lunch. But subsist mostly on coffee during the day. I try to leave work by 6pm at the latest... But often find myself at my desk till about 7:30pm. And by then, all I want to do is go home and eat something.
For the most part, I am pretty happy with this. It was exactly what I was looking for with this move.
But now, three years after making my decision to dive back into work (even though that wasn't the plan), I find myself wondering what it would be like to not work. Sure, I've had "not working" stints before in my life. But never with the ease of not having to worry about money as much, because we've paid the house down to a point where I don't worry about it.
Plus, the house down the street sold for about 32% more than what my neighbors paid for it 6 months before we bought ours. So if money becomes an issue, I am confident we could get more for the house than what we paid.
Knowing this make the idea of trying to explore other interests actually feasible for me. Three years ago, it was "nice in theory."
Obsession Confession: The Grub Street Diet.
Filed amongst the things I am obsessed with in life (peonies, shelter mags, the color coral) is a weekly read that I refuse to miss. I hope it never goes away and is always put together, so that I may read it each weekend.
This online read is The Grub Street Diet. It's not a feature about "dieting," but rather an account of some New Yorker's eating habits for a few days.
"Really? You are obsessed with reading about what others are putting into their bodies for fuel and energy?" you may be asking.
And that answer would be, "Ab-so-eff-ing-lute-ly!"
The blog follows known writers, NYC celebrities and even a few well-known celebrities... All of who live in NYC. My favorites to date are:
The betch eats a chicken potpie and potato salad EVERY DAY. And she has a fresh cake in her house every day. INDULGENCE TO THE EXTREME!
She's an avid "juicer!" And she is a fan of Via Quadronno, my favorite cappuccino place in the whole city.
The man is as obsessed with Trader Joe's as I am. I greatly respect this.
The best one, by far, is Courtney Love's. I would love for them to revisit her eating diary in a few years... Just to see if she has evolved beyond her "crack" (and by that, I mean "sugary") diet.
Short List Of Reasons To Live: American Anniversary.
Had I remembered to write this weekly post last week, I would have noted that my American Anniversary was today. But my energy escapes me on weekends when The Husband is down, like last weekend. So here I am catching up on things I am looking forward to!
And I'll be honest, there really isn't much this week that I am looking forward to. I am grateful that it is a four-day workweek so that next weekend can get here. Because this week is gong to be busy at work. (Why I thought things would slow down once the summer hit, I have no idea. Clearly, I was delusional.)
Here is this week's List of Short Reasons to Live:
Clearly, I need to take some time to find more exciting things to look forward to. But this should give an indication of how busy and energy-drained I am.
And I'll be honest, there really isn't much this week that I am looking forward to. I am grateful that it is a four-day workweek so that next weekend can get here. Because this week is gong to be busy at work. (Why I thought things would slow down once the summer hit, I have no idea. Clearly, I was delusional.)
Here is this week's List of Short Reasons to Live:
- Four-Day Workweek. Beating a dead horse, I know.
- Snow White & The Huntsman. Charlize Theron... The ultimate bitch.
- Bodies Exhibit. I've wanted to see this for about five years. The Husband refuses to see it, because he finds it creepy as all hell. So a solo visit next Saturday appears to be in my cards.
- Vacation Planning. It's now that time of year where I am dying to go on a few vacations. I am looking at my packed calendar for the Summer, though, and realizing that I won't have time for any trips until the Fall. I haven't been home to Toronto in two months now. And I may not get there until the END of July. And I still have to get home to Phoenix to see my new niece.
Clearly, I need to take some time to find more exciting things to look forward to. But this should give an indication of how busy and energy-drained I am.
American Anniversary.
Woke up this morning to a "Happy Anniversary" from The Husband.
"Oh yeah!" I remembered. "It's the American Anniversary."
I actually did remember. I was the one that reminded him a few days ago that it was coming up. But it was nice to wake up and see first thing in the morning reminding me of the that day EIGHT YEARS AGO that we left work early to meet at our apartment in Boston's Downtown Crossing area.
We kept our work clothes on (he: a blue dress shirt and grey pants, me: grey pants, white button-down, black sweater and red sneakers) and walked across the street to Boston's City Hall. We had an appointment to get married between two same sex couples (gay marriage having been legalized in Massachusetts 10 days earlier).
We didn't exchange rings, as we were waiting for the wedding ceremony we were having in Canada two months later. I, who sometimes likes to give the "middle finger" to conventional things, didn't want us to get married in front of a bunch of people.
"It's private. And too much pressure. We're doing it beforehand."
So The Husband agreed. And now it's been eight years.
Time flies.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Schiap & Miuccia. Pink & Brown.
Unexpected days off are absolutely delicious!
Today was such a day. I found out about two weeks ago that we would have an extra day off for this weekend. And I knew exactly how I wanted to spend it... Catching the Elsa Schiaparelli & Miuccia Prada "Impossible Conversations" exhibit at the Met.
I have never been much a fan of Prada's looks. I have never been so inspired by something she has created that I had to go out and either get a piece of it or emulate it in some way.
"Too much brown and then there are the funky shoes," I would say.
I mean, how much did I hate these chandelier clogs in 2010?
And these flame shoes this year?
But walking through the exhibit, which pairs these two Italian designers' works together... Along with (imagined) conversations between the two, I found myself developing an understanding for why Prada designs what she does.
It's actually very beautiful.
Prada loves brown. Elsa loves pink. Both are/were strong women. And you can see an echo of inspiration from Sciaparelli in some of Prada's work. It was a very good exhibit.
Afterwards, I walked down Madison Avenue to the 70s, where I stopped in at two of my favorite places in the whole city for a treat...
Via Quadronno and Laduree.
A cappuccino and a cherry blossom macaron... Brown and Pink. What an appropriate way to end my afternoon.
Today was such a day. I found out about two weeks ago that we would have an extra day off for this weekend. And I knew exactly how I wanted to spend it... Catching the Elsa Schiaparelli & Miuccia Prada "Impossible Conversations" exhibit at the Met.
I have never been much a fan of Prada's looks. I have never been so inspired by something she has created that I had to go out and either get a piece of it or emulate it in some way.
"Too much brown and then there are the funky shoes," I would say.
I mean, how much did I hate these chandelier clogs in 2010?
And these flame shoes this year?
But walking through the exhibit, which pairs these two Italian designers' works together... Along with (imagined) conversations between the two, I found myself developing an understanding for why Prada designs what she does.
It's actually very beautiful.
Prada loves brown. Elsa loves pink. Both are/were strong women. And you can see an echo of inspiration from Sciaparelli in some of Prada's work. It was a very good exhibit.
Afterwards, I walked down Madison Avenue to the 70s, where I stopped in at two of my favorite places in the whole city for a treat...
Via Quadronno and Laduree.
A cappuccino and a cherry blossom macaron... Brown and Pink. What an appropriate way to end my afternoon.
A $14k Birkin On Rue-La-La?
Woke up this morning to an email from my pal Frogger.
"Rue la la has a Birkin for $14k" was the headline.
"Well," I typed back, "they must not be real."
Now, Rue La La is a fine online establishment. I haven't visited the site in about two and a half years... But it does get some great designer things.
But a Birkin? It's hard enough to get an Hermes store to sell you one. So the likelihood of a gorgeous Birkin being for sale on a discount site like Rue La La was less likely than Kim Kardashian not whoring herself out to the media.
So I dug around in my email history for my login to the site, and went in search for this thing. Took a few minutes, but I found the page.
They indeed had an Hermes Blue Jean (my least favorite color) Birkin for sale for $14k on the site. However, as I quickly scanned the small print, I discovered that it was not a new bag.
So it was a real bag... But it has been worn and used before appearing on the site!
I have opinions about acquiring used stuff. Only certain things are okay to buy "vintage" or "used":
When it comes to bags, I would buy one that is vintage. However, not for $14,000! Not unless Beyonce or Grace Kelly herself carried it. And even then... I would have a very difficult time going into debt for such a thing!
If one is going to procure a Birkin, it should be brand new. And from an Hermes store. Preferably the one on Rue Saint-Honore.
"Rue la la has a Birkin for $14k" was the headline.
"Well," I typed back, "they must not be real."
Now, Rue La La is a fine online establishment. I haven't visited the site in about two and a half years... But it does get some great designer things.
But a Birkin? It's hard enough to get an Hermes store to sell you one. So the likelihood of a gorgeous Birkin being for sale on a discount site like Rue La La was less likely than Kim Kardashian not whoring herself out to the media.
So I dug around in my email history for my login to the site, and went in search for this thing. Took a few minutes, but I found the page.
They indeed had an Hermes Blue Jean (my least favorite color) Birkin for sale for $14k on the site. However, as I quickly scanned the small print, I discovered that it was not a new bag.
So it was a real bag... But it has been worn and used before appearing on the site!
I have opinions about acquiring used stuff. Only certain things are okay to buy "vintage" or "used":
- Cars (I would never buy new)
- Houses
- Elizabeth Taylor's Jewelry
- Anything touched by Madonna
- Some furniture (Never mattresses though - but really, do I have to write that?)
When it comes to bags, I would buy one that is vintage. However, not for $14,000! Not unless Beyonce or Grace Kelly herself carried it. And even then... I would have a very difficult time going into debt for such a thing!
If one is going to procure a Birkin, it should be brand new. And from an Hermes store. Preferably the one on Rue Saint-Honore.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Healthy Dish For The Weak: Shaved Brussels Sprouts.
One of the things that kicks the most ass about my NYC neighborhood is its adjacency in Chelsea to Trader Joe's.
Being someone with very little time, having the Joe's on my walk home from the subway in the evenings is super convenient. Even more convenient? The pre-prepped organic veggies they have. Makes getting dinner put together pretty quick. Oh, and somewhat healthy.
Tonight's dinner: Shaved Brussels Sprouts (courtesy of Joe's) with Mushrooms and Pancetta over Goat Cheese Ravioli. (Funny enough, this recipe was very much inspired by the one ON the bag of shaved Brussels sprouts.)
Ingredients (all of which you can get at Joe's):
Directions:
Serves 2 people. If they really like Brussels sprouts and mushrooms.
Being someone with very little time, having the Joe's on my walk home from the subway in the evenings is super convenient. Even more convenient? The pre-prepped organic veggies they have. Makes getting dinner put together pretty quick. Oh, and somewhat healthy.
Tonight's dinner: Shaved Brussels Sprouts (courtesy of Joe's) with Mushrooms and Pancetta over Goat Cheese Ravioli. (Funny enough, this recipe was very much inspired by the one ON the bag of shaved Brussels sprouts.)
Ingredients (all of which you can get at Joe's):
- 1 bag shaved Brussels sprouts
- 1 package of sliced white mushrooms
- 1/4 chopped pancetta
- 1 package goat cheese & sundried tomato ravioli
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Couple splashes of water
Directions:
- Boil water. Dump the ravioli in. Cook for a few minutes, then drain and set aside. (Really, if you don't know how to cook pasta...)
- Dump oil in a nice big skillet over medium high heat.
- Toss in pancetta. Cook by pushing with a spoon/spatula until golden-y brown-ish. Then take out of the pan. (About 5 minutes.)
- Saute mushrooms till they start to get golden-y. (About 5 minutes.)
- Toss in the entire bag of shaved Brussels sprouts. Saute with mushrooms till golden-y. (About 5 minutes.)
- Throw in the balsamic vinegar and a few splashes of water from the pasta pot. Let steam and reduce down for about - you guessed it - five minutes.
- Scoop over the ravioli.
Serves 2 people. If they really like Brussels sprouts and mushrooms.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
God Save The Devil Wearing Prada.
Just found my new weekend summer T-shirt...
While I normally wouldn't pay $67 for a tee... I make this an exception, as it has the fiercest betch to ever walk the planet on it.
Anna Wintour is THE Queen!
Thanks to my pal Berna for finding and sending to me!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Oscar "Closing" Dress... Nice Try Carrie.
I don't watch awards shows. I rarely spend time watching the red carpet portion. There are far too many good things on TV and, in general, things to do, that I don't have a desire to watch either live on TV.
No, I would rather wait a few minutes extra and review the coverage online. That way I can look in detail at what was worn. Like with last night's Billboard Music Awards...
I see Carrie Underwood came in the "closing" dress from Oscar de la Renta's Autumn/Winter 2012 collection...
While it is a beautiful dress, I do not like it on her. But I think that may be because no one can top the moment the dress came down the runway...
This dress needs to be worn with sass. You have to strut when wearing it. It's not for standing around and looking like a "delicate flower."
No, I would rather wait a few minutes extra and review the coverage online. That way I can look in detail at what was worn. Like with last night's Billboard Music Awards...
I see Carrie Underwood came in the "closing" dress from Oscar de la Renta's Autumn/Winter 2012 collection...
While it is a beautiful dress, I do not like it on her. But I think that may be because no one can top the moment the dress came down the runway...
This dress needs to be worn with sass. You have to strut when wearing it. It's not for standing around and looking like a "delicate flower."
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
AnOther Magazine.
Gosh... I read a ton of fashion/fashion-art magazines a month. Foreign and domestic. At the start of each month, usually around the 5th, I have about 12 magazines I have to truck down to the basement of my building for recycling.
Here is what I read:
I know there are small one-offs that I am missing. The ones with asterisks are my favorites. But all this means I go through well over 150 fashion magazines a year. And this doesn't count all the "home inspiration" and decorating magazines I read. Not to mention my collection of Martha Stewart Everyday Food, which I have picked up every month for the past NINE YEARS.
My point is with all this... I really don't need another magazine to add to my collection. But yet, I found myself falling in love with another magazine.
Er... I mean, AnOther Magazine.
Here is what I read:
- Elle*
- Harper's Bazaar*
- Vogue
- Allure
- InStyle
- W
- Vanity Fair (okay, not fashion... But could argue "art" to some minute degree)
- Elle Canada
- Fashion (Canadian magazine)
- British Vogue
- French Vogue (probably get this every other month)
- British Elle
- Haute Muse* (comes out quarterly only)
I know there are small one-offs that I am missing. The ones with asterisks are my favorites. But all this means I go through well over 150 fashion magazines a year. And this doesn't count all the "home inspiration" and decorating magazines I read. Not to mention my collection of Martha Stewart Everyday Food, which I have picked up every month for the past NINE YEARS.
My point is with all this... I really don't need another magazine to add to my collection. But yet, I found myself falling in love with another magazine.
Er... I mean, AnOther Magazine.
Yes. If you are squinting to see the price tag... It does indeed cost $20 for this magazine. But keep in mind, this only comes out TWICE A YEAR. And it is a thick magazine with a lot of content. I don't believe you can subscribe to it. And I don't think you can easily find it. I had to locate it at a random news stand on 3rd Avenue and 43rd Street, near my work.
The content is pretty substantial in it. Lots of feature stories... Ranging from true artists and their inspirations. (Not celebrities and reality people.) And the fashion editorials are soft... And minimalist. The exception being the glamourous spread with Jessica Chastain, who's featured on the cover.
Definitely worth the $20. Will absolutely be picking up the Fall/Winter issue.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Short List Of Reasons To Live: Mother's Day 2012.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
Did you call your mum? Did you send her flowers? I did both. And I reminded The Husband to do something nice for his mum too. Though, to be honest, he was already on top of it. (So no reminder was needed.)
Speaking of which... It's been another very busy two weeks! With The Husband here last weekend, I forgot to post last week's list. Though, the only thing I was looking forward to last week was to "just get through the week." This week will be equally busy, and I am anxious to get through it as well.
In the agency world, the closer you get to June, the more it typically calms and slows down. I am hoping by the end of this week I will have more of a sense of what the summer will be like... It will either encompass opportunity to focus on strategy and creativity, or it will be non-stop pursuing of opportunity after opportunity. I prefer the former. But know the latter is best for business.
But for this week the opportunities and Short List of Reasons to Live include:
Did you call your mum? Did you send her flowers? I did both. And I reminded The Husband to do something nice for his mum too. Though, to be honest, he was already on top of it. (So no reminder was needed.)
Speaking of which... It's been another very busy two weeks! With The Husband here last weekend, I forgot to post last week's list. Though, the only thing I was looking forward to last week was to "just get through the week." This week will be equally busy, and I am anxious to get through it as well.
In the agency world, the closer you get to June, the more it typically calms and slows down. I am hoping by the end of this week I will have more of a sense of what the summer will be like... It will either encompass opportunity to focus on strategy and creativity, or it will be non-stop pursuing of opportunity after opportunity. I prefer the former. But know the latter is best for business.
But for this week the opportunities and Short List of Reasons to Live include:
- Prada & Schiaparelli. Last summer, the Costumer Institute at the Met featured Alexander McQueen. This summer, it's a comparison of Muccia Prada and Elsa Schiaparelli. Two female Italian designers from two different eras. I am hoping to have time to see it next weekend.
- Bootcamp Bitch. I am attempting three days of Barry's Bootcamp this week! The classes I have taken leave my inner thighs sore for days. And these classes will be early AM, before work. I am hoping they give me an energetic start to my day.
- Coconut Lattes. This one actually started this past week, when Starbucks brought back the coconut syrup for their summer drinks... Which I don't partake in because they are mixed with chocolate. I am not a fan (much) of "coconut and chocolate." It's a pedestrian combo. I do love the syrup in my lattes, though. And no one else ever orders it. So it makes it very unique to me.
- Human Weekend. This coming weekend brings another visit from The Husband. YAY! He's been such a good sport with all the visits lately, since my passport is currently being renewed.
- Decisions about Redecorating. It's been nearly three years since we bought our house in Toronto. Time flies! And we are thinking we are ready to redecorate it a little. I wanted to redecorate three years ago... But we were hesitant. We had never owned a house before, or anything so big. We were hesitant to come in and change things. Now, though, we are totally ready. But with me living down in the States, it does make it a little harder to get it all done. So I think at the end of the week, I will be able to sit down with him and determine what all we think needs to get done. And how to best execute getting it done.
Monday, May 07, 2012
Met Gala: WTF Were They Thinking?
These really need no explanation...
But I am going to provide my commentary any damn way...
But I am going to provide my commentary any damn way...
I am pretty sure this is Mary Kate Olsen. She's almost 26... But looks damn near 76.
Bad dress. Bad hair.
Sorry honey... Imma let you finish this red carpet walk... But Angeline Jolie had the greatest thigh-slit dress of all time. I even drew a picture of it.
No.
Someone is trying to give the New Jersey Tan-orexic Mom a run for her money!
Met Gala: Two Biggest Trends.
Flipping through the coverage of the Met Gala this evening, there were two major trends that I noticed:
- Pelums
- Pantone Color of the Year
Not all trends were rocked well. But they still have to be noted.
Peplums
Pantone Color of the Year
(Note: She's rocking both trends.)
Met Gala: The Divine.
The Met Gala each May is really a chance for those in attendance to really "bring it" in terms of high fashion. Rarely is there another opportunity where it is appropriate to really go "all out" on a look. And this is one of the reasons why I was GREATLY DISAPPOINTED with this year's crop of looks.
There were a few looks that I found myself smiling at while flipping through the coverage on the Huffington Post... And here they are:
There were a few looks that I found myself smiling at while flipping through the coverage on the Huffington Post... And here they are:
Betch is rocking a LOBSTER on her gown! SHE WILL CLAW YOUR EYES OUT!
Hot pink hair? Okay, a little "Avril Lavigne circa 2007"... But for this event, it works. And it's fun.
I didn't like Rooney Mara until the Oscars this year. But she is proof of the incredible work that stylists bring to the table for clients. I find her stunning.
To be honest... The only thing I like about this look is the pink fanning of the dress.
It must be tiring being this beautiful and stunning all the time. The look is very "age of innocence." So different from some of the other things we are seeing.
I hate Rachel Zoe most of the time. But THIS is what I am talking about when I say "people need to kick it up a notch for this event!"
Kind of dull, I know. But I have never been a fan of Amy Adams' style. So I felt the need to note that she "did good" tonight.
Emma reminds me of Michelle Williams from the 2006 Academy Awards in this dress. Like a canary about to sing her breakout song and become the bigger more beautiful bird that she can be.
Fun. Pure delight.
French betches always get it right. Especially when they wear Dior. I hate them for this.
She's hot. Her husband's hot. She makes millions. She has a beautiful child. And she gets to wear fabulous dresses. I bow to thee, Giselle.
And On Mondays (At The Met Gala) We Wear Pink.
It's no surprise that navigating the world as a woman requires some thick skin.
It starts a little as a child, as you develop friendships and start to see a little bit of bullying (or experiencing it yourself) over little, petty jealousy-type things. Then it really kicks in during the teen years of junior high. And by the time you hit high school, you better have developed somewhat of a sense of who you are, otherwise it won't be the most pleasant of four years.
You thought that it would end in high school, though. And that by the time you get to university, you won't have to deal with the "mean girl" aspects of life. But you would be wrong there too. Especially if you join a sorority (like I did). And you know what? It doesn't stop in university... You will continue to encounter mean girls ALL THROUGHOUT LIFE.
So you need to realize that the only opinion that matters is yours. Above all else. Family's... Husband's... Co-workers'... Boss's... It's all about you and what you want to do. And don't ever forget that.
Unless you work for Anna Wintour. Then, betch... You better check yo'self.
Apparently Anna has a little bit of the "mean girls" syndrome. No surprise, really. Given the rumors of what it is like to work for her. But she kicked up a notch recently with regards to the Met Gala that is happening tonight.
She has requested to her staff that their wear pink gowns to the event. And that they send her pictures of them in the gowns in advance of the event, for her approval.
I guess that makes sense... Part of their job entails being ambassadors of style and trends. But it feels a little too catty and "Queen B" for me...
It starts a little as a child, as you develop friendships and start to see a little bit of bullying (or experiencing it yourself) over little, petty jealousy-type things. Then it really kicks in during the teen years of junior high. And by the time you hit high school, you better have developed somewhat of a sense of who you are, otherwise it won't be the most pleasant of four years.
You thought that it would end in high school, though. And that by the time you get to university, you won't have to deal with the "mean girl" aspects of life. But you would be wrong there too. Especially if you join a sorority (like I did). And you know what? It doesn't stop in university... You will continue to encounter mean girls ALL THROUGHOUT LIFE.
So you need to realize that the only opinion that matters is yours. Above all else. Family's... Husband's... Co-workers'... Boss's... It's all about you and what you want to do. And don't ever forget that.
Unless you work for Anna Wintour. Then, betch... You better check yo'self.
Apparently Anna has a little bit of the "mean girls" syndrome. No surprise, really. Given the rumors of what it is like to work for her. But she kicked up a notch recently with regards to the Met Gala that is happening tonight.
She has requested to her staff that their wear pink gowns to the event. And that they send her pictures of them in the gowns in advance of the event, for her approval.
I guess that makes sense... Part of their job entails being ambassadors of style and trends. But it feels a little too catty and "Queen B" for me...
Sunday, May 06, 2012
Becoming Barry's Bitch.
Every morning, when in NYC, I roll out of bed ad peek out of the blackout drapes in my bedroom. I look across the way into the apartment opposite of me on my street. Then I look down to the ground level. That's when I usually spot a ton of people crowded in a small reception area at the gym.
Well, it's not so much a gym. It's actually a studio. A studio where people take classes of pure torture. Torture for the ass, arms, abs, thighs, shoulders... Barry's Bootcamp!
And today, I tried it for the first time. And it probably won't be the last time. I really liked the class.
Holy crap is it an intense workout! Treadmill for 15 minutes at various speeds... Then you hit an aerobic step on the floor with weights in your hands, hopping around and lifting your legs while pumping your arms... Then the treadmill for 15 minutes... And ending the final 15 minutes back on the floor.
Rough. And I know I will be sore tomorrow morning. But I burned a ton of calories and feel very relaxed now.
I am totally on board with being "Barry's Bitch" again later this week.
Well, it's not so much a gym. It's actually a studio. A studio where people take classes of pure torture. Torture for the ass, arms, abs, thighs, shoulders... Barry's Bootcamp!
And today, I tried it for the first time. And it probably won't be the last time. I really liked the class.
Holy crap is it an intense workout! Treadmill for 15 minutes at various speeds... Then you hit an aerobic step on the floor with weights in your hands, hopping around and lifting your legs while pumping your arms... Then the treadmill for 15 minutes... And ending the final 15 minutes back on the floor.
Rough. And I know I will be sore tomorrow morning. But I burned a ton of calories and feel very relaxed now.
I am totally on board with being "Barry's Bitch" again later this week.
Thursday, May 03, 2012
All Is Fair In Love & Cabs.
I sometimes wish I lived closer to the subway. It would make it easier for me to avoid grabbing a cab to work most mornings.
Cabs in NYC are pretty cheap. On average, it costs me $9, with a tip, to get to work. I can easily walk out of my apartment to Sixth Avenue, where traffic goes uptown, and hail a cab.
By comparison, I have to walk 10 minutes to the 6 train, and then have to wait about 3 minutes for the train to come. This costs me $2.25. But can take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes door to door. I can walk it in 35 minutes.
Or take a cab.
The only time I run into potential issues with hailing a cab is when I am running late and it is close to 9am. That is when everyone is out on Sixth Avenue, trying to hail a cab. All you see is a parade of cabs with their lights dim, already filled with passengers holding lattes.
This is when you have to be aggressive. And sometimes a total "betch."
Make no mistake, I am never mean or verbally rude to people in the "cab fetching" process. But I am sneaky. I will employ any and all tricks to be spotted first and snag a cab. These can include:
I would never take a cab before children, an adult with children, handicapped or disabled adult, elderly person, or pregnant woman. Everyone else, though, it's fair game to compete with them.
The only time I have had a confrontation in the process is when I employed trick number three. A gentleman spotted me when he came out stood 10 feet before me. Knowing he saw me, I decided to walk in the street, in front of him, to be closer to the approaching traffic and cabs.
"Hey! I am standing here!" he whined.
"Yeah, I could say the same to you. But I am willing to actually do something about it."
I got a cab before he did.
What I should have said was, "All is fair in love and cabs, dude."
Cabs in NYC are pretty cheap. On average, it costs me $9, with a tip, to get to work. I can easily walk out of my apartment to Sixth Avenue, where traffic goes uptown, and hail a cab.
By comparison, I have to walk 10 minutes to the 6 train, and then have to wait about 3 minutes for the train to come. This costs me $2.25. But can take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes door to door. I can walk it in 35 minutes.
Or take a cab.
The only time I run into potential issues with hailing a cab is when I am running late and it is close to 9am. That is when everyone is out on Sixth Avenue, trying to hail a cab. All you see is a parade of cabs with their lights dim, already filled with passengers holding lattes.
This is when you have to be aggressive. And sometimes a total "betch."
Make no mistake, I am never mean or verbally rude to people in the "cab fetching" process. But I am sneaky. I will employ any and all tricks to be spotted first and snag a cab. These can include:
- Standing pretty much in the middle of the street (I never stay on the sidewalk), arm proudly extended, hand waving.
- Switching sides of the street multiple times at a moment's notice, as I spot cabs coming up on the other side of the street.
- If I am on the corner, and I see someone come out on the same side of the street, but further up - and thus more likely to get a cab first - I will trot up the street to be in the better position than them.
I would never take a cab before children, an adult with children, handicapped or disabled adult, elderly person, or pregnant woman. Everyone else, though, it's fair game to compete with them.
The only time I have had a confrontation in the process is when I employed trick number three. A gentleman spotted me when he came out stood 10 feet before me. Knowing he saw me, I decided to walk in the street, in front of him, to be closer to the approaching traffic and cabs.
"Hey! I am standing here!" he whined.
"Yeah, I could say the same to you. But I am willing to actually do something about it."
I got a cab before he did.
What I should have said was, "All is fair in love and cabs, dude."
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
It's Okay To Lose Your Shiz In Bikram Class.
I officially started my 30-Day Bikram Yoga Challenge today. I meant to start it last week. Then I meant to start it this weekend. Then yesterday.
Too many things to deal with at work, which meant practice got sacrificed to exhaustion in each case. But not from here on out.
I promise.
So clearly, as you can expect, when I entered the hot room tonight, I had a lot of anger built up. Anger which needed to come out. And boy did it.
Before the class even started, I knew the teacher and I weren't really going to jive well together. And I agree, I should know better. I should be more compassionate with teachers, as I have been on the podium myself. But I really just did not give a flying piece of monkey crap tonight.
Most of the time, I am pretty nice and understanding to people. Even when they are pissing me the hell off. I don't yell at people. I don't scream. I rarely whine. I state the problem, ask for help. If I don't get it, I either deal with it, or I get the hell out.
In other words, even though I rant on this blog, I rarely react angrily towards people in the moment. And that is a shame. Because holding it in most of the time is not ideal. And when you are in the hot room, with a teacher who you aren't jiving with, pretty much anything they do will piss you off. And since I hold my anger within during these moments normally, tonight I decided to let it out. Verbally. And a little bit with the postures too.
Before the class, the teacher came in to the room. She didn't introduce herself. She didn't ask if anyone had any injuries she should know about. She did ask if there were new students. There were two. She then went on about the practice and how everyone should try to do the postures. But to also listen to your body to see where you are at today. (So far, totally on par with the normal bits.)
Then she went on for about five minutes about her own practice. And how she had someone standing in front of her during her practice class today. And how she wanted to get angry about it, but decided to let it go. And that's what we have to do in this class. Not give in to the anger.
She was droning on so much about this, and not in an inspirational way, that we all started to zone out to her words.
"Are you guys paying attention?" she asked. "You look kind of glazed in the eyes."
"Well no effing duh, lady," I thought to myself.
I won't go into too many details with every single thing I wanted to scream at her for; but suffice it to say this woman did not know most of her dialogue. And it showed. And she kept chiding us that the room "wasn't that hot" (which, true, it wasn't). But why were we all "struggling so much?" she asked.
One of the new girls said, "It's too juicy in here!"
Yep. The humidity was close to 70%. So we were having a bit of a tough time.
"No big deal. Students are going to have tough days. You encourage them to rest when they need to," I encouraged silently.
But nope. This teacher wasn't having it. I felt my eyes cross and a sway in my body while I was standing after Triangle. I sat down on my knees to get my sight back. She came over to me and waved her effing finger a few inches from my face.
I acknowledged the wave, though I saw two fingers. She told me to get back up. I said, "Nope. I'm all set."
Who invades someone's personal space like that? I was sitting properly. I was breathing through my nose. It was clear that I was struggling, as were other students. You don't chastise a student for struggling and sitting out.
But I decided at that point that it wasn't her, it was clearly me. And I would just try to get through the class focused on myself. And ignore her.
Well, I couldn't.
By the time we got to Half Tortoise pose, there was a student who didn't do the posture. They sat like the rest of us. They just didn't do the posture. I don't know what the reason was for the not doing it, bit it doesn't matter. After the pose we all swiveled to lie back down on our mats, including the student who sat through the posture.
"Oh no," said teacher. "You don't do Savasana. You didn't do the posture. You don't have to do Savasana."
"Oh fucking hell no," I thought. Only I didn't "think it." I said it. Not loudly. But loud enough that the two people next to me heard it.
"Are you okay/" one woman asked.
"Yes," I said. "Sorry."
Here is my issue with what the teacher did...
YOU NEVER TELL A STUDENT TO NOT DO SAVASANA!!!!
Savasana is one of the FUCKING POSTURES! In fact, in my opinion, it's the MOST IMPORTANT POSTURE. It is not just a "recovery" pose between each posture in the Floor Series. It is one of the 26. And students should do it every single time.
You do NOT tell a student they shouldn't do it. I don't care how long you've been teaching. Get your shit together, study your dialogue and learn how to connect with human beings.
Now, I know what some of you might be saying to me right now...
"If you let someone steal your peace, then YOU are the loser."
Well, I don't fucking believe that for a fucking second. There are going to be times where we need to lose our shit. Most of the time, we should be disciplined-enough to know when to do it and when not to. But I believe it personally okay to lose your cool (because let's face it, it's hot as hell) in a Bikram class.
As a teacher, when I hear teachers teaching nowhere near the words of the dialogue AND giving incorrect information, I am going to lose my shiz. I know plenty of teachers who don't teach the dialogue... But they teach correct information and postures. They understand the foundation of the practice.
This is when I LONG for teachers fresh out of training. Some may fear the newbie teachers... But I love them. They teach dialogue. They don't have an ego about teaching (like me) and think they know what's best. They teach as they have been recently trained. And they are some of my favorite classes as a student.
Too many things to deal with at work, which meant practice got sacrificed to exhaustion in each case. But not from here on out.
I promise.
So clearly, as you can expect, when I entered the hot room tonight, I had a lot of anger built up. Anger which needed to come out. And boy did it.
Before the class even started, I knew the teacher and I weren't really going to jive well together. And I agree, I should know better. I should be more compassionate with teachers, as I have been on the podium myself. But I really just did not give a flying piece of monkey crap tonight.
Most of the time, I am pretty nice and understanding to people. Even when they are pissing me the hell off. I don't yell at people. I don't scream. I rarely whine. I state the problem, ask for help. If I don't get it, I either deal with it, or I get the hell out.
In other words, even though I rant on this blog, I rarely react angrily towards people in the moment. And that is a shame. Because holding it in most of the time is not ideal. And when you are in the hot room, with a teacher who you aren't jiving with, pretty much anything they do will piss you off. And since I hold my anger within during these moments normally, tonight I decided to let it out. Verbally. And a little bit with the postures too.
Before the class, the teacher came in to the room. She didn't introduce herself. She didn't ask if anyone had any injuries she should know about. She did ask if there were new students. There were two. She then went on about the practice and how everyone should try to do the postures. But to also listen to your body to see where you are at today. (So far, totally on par with the normal bits.)
Then she went on for about five minutes about her own practice. And how she had someone standing in front of her during her practice class today. And how she wanted to get angry about it, but decided to let it go. And that's what we have to do in this class. Not give in to the anger.
She was droning on so much about this, and not in an inspirational way, that we all started to zone out to her words.
"Are you guys paying attention?" she asked. "You look kind of glazed in the eyes."
"Well no effing duh, lady," I thought to myself.
I won't go into too many details with every single thing I wanted to scream at her for; but suffice it to say this woman did not know most of her dialogue. And it showed. And she kept chiding us that the room "wasn't that hot" (which, true, it wasn't). But why were we all "struggling so much?" she asked.
One of the new girls said, "It's too juicy in here!"
Yep. The humidity was close to 70%. So we were having a bit of a tough time.
"No big deal. Students are going to have tough days. You encourage them to rest when they need to," I encouraged silently.
But nope. This teacher wasn't having it. I felt my eyes cross and a sway in my body while I was standing after Triangle. I sat down on my knees to get my sight back. She came over to me and waved her effing finger a few inches from my face.
I acknowledged the wave, though I saw two fingers. She told me to get back up. I said, "Nope. I'm all set."
Who invades someone's personal space like that? I was sitting properly. I was breathing through my nose. It was clear that I was struggling, as were other students. You don't chastise a student for struggling and sitting out.
But I decided at that point that it wasn't her, it was clearly me. And I would just try to get through the class focused on myself. And ignore her.
Well, I couldn't.
By the time we got to Half Tortoise pose, there was a student who didn't do the posture. They sat like the rest of us. They just didn't do the posture. I don't know what the reason was for the not doing it, bit it doesn't matter. After the pose we all swiveled to lie back down on our mats, including the student who sat through the posture.
"Oh no," said teacher. "You don't do Savasana. You didn't do the posture. You don't have to do Savasana."
"Oh fucking hell no," I thought. Only I didn't "think it." I said it. Not loudly. But loud enough that the two people next to me heard it.
"Are you okay/" one woman asked.
"Yes," I said. "Sorry."
Here is my issue with what the teacher did...
YOU NEVER TELL A STUDENT TO NOT DO SAVASANA!!!!
Savasana is one of the FUCKING POSTURES! In fact, in my opinion, it's the MOST IMPORTANT POSTURE. It is not just a "recovery" pose between each posture in the Floor Series. It is one of the 26. And students should do it every single time.
You do NOT tell a student they shouldn't do it. I don't care how long you've been teaching. Get your shit together, study your dialogue and learn how to connect with human beings.
Now, I know what some of you might be saying to me right now...
"If you let someone steal your peace, then YOU are the loser."
Well, I don't fucking believe that for a fucking second. There are going to be times where we need to lose our shit. Most of the time, we should be disciplined-enough to know when to do it and when not to. But I believe it personally okay to lose your cool (because let's face it, it's hot as hell) in a Bikram class.
As a teacher, when I hear teachers teaching nowhere near the words of the dialogue AND giving incorrect information, I am going to lose my shiz. I know plenty of teachers who don't teach the dialogue... But they teach correct information and postures. They understand the foundation of the practice.
This is when I LONG for teachers fresh out of training. Some may fear the newbie teachers... But I love them. They teach dialogue. They don't have an ego about teaching (like me) and think they know what's best. They teach as they have been recently trained. And they are some of my favorite classes as a student.
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