TED Tuesdays: What Stories Look Like

Evidently we are supposed to judge books by their covers.

Chip Kidd provides a hilarious and interesting insider's-look into the world of book design.

Life List: Record Every Book I Read.

I've started keeping a book journal. The goal on my Life List is to record every book I read, with a quote. When I was abroad in Scotland in college I read a lot, and kept quotes from those books in a journal. I like looking back at it, remembering what books I was interested in then (strictly classics) and what passages spoke to me (quotes about heartbreak and healing). 

For my new book journal a purchased a Moleskine Book Journal (evidently there are enough geeks like me out there to warrant something like this to be mass produced). I have recorded the two books I recently finished, Louis de Bernieres' Birds Without Wings and Chris Cleave's Gold. I recommend both. I'm currently reading Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl.

Several friends from Camp Mighty suggested keeping track of my reading on Goodreads. Because I can't pass up the opportunity to buy a new notebook, I've decided to keep a handwritten book journal and also start cateloguing on the website. Goodreads is a great place to find book recommendations, and see what your friends are currently reading.

So, what are you reading?

Interesting Links:
- My Moleskine Book Journal. Be sure to check out the other products in Moleskine's Passions line. There is something for everyone, even winos.
- Maybe you are more interested in peeking at someone else's book journal. Check out Book Lust, which provides recommendations by mood, occassion, and personality. 
- Or how about a journal made out of a book? I spy a Christmas gift. 
- Become my friend on Goodreads

A Red Red Weekend

I had a very red weekend. Red seemed to be everywhere, being beautiful, tasty, and whimsical.

We went to the Union Square Farmers' Market on Saturday, or should I say the Union Square Tomato Market (Ha! Nice one!). Every stand was brimming with tomatoes in every shape and color. We scooped a bunch of juicy plum (pictured above) and San Marzano tomatoes.

Being that it was the height of the tomato season, and we weren't hungover, we decided to tackle the Scarpetta Spaghetti recipe on Saturday. This dish requires a few helpers (lots of peeling and crushing) so we had a bit of a spaghetti-making party. I know being invited to a dinner party and being forced to peel tomatoes isn't the ideal evening for any New Yorker, but this sauce is so damn good everyone was happy to pitch in, plus there was booze. You have to try it! Get your localvoring ass to the nearest farmers' market, pick up some lovely tomatoes, call some friends, get them drunk, and get cooking! Here is the recipe.

On Sunday, Matt and I headed towards the Hudson for a little picnic. One of the piers that has been turned into a park was sporting some new, Mario Brothers-inspired sculptures (pictured above). Yayoi Kusama created the installation, called Guidepost to the New Space. I was enjoying the piece until I saw the signs that warned not to "climb, sit, or play on them." Hmmm...interesting putting them in a place where people go to climb, sit, AND play. Come on Yoyoi! What are you new!?

So what color was your weekend?

Ted Tuesdays: Optimistic Young Bastards

As I'm very new to the institution of marriage, I've been doing some research on how to make our new union strong and lasting. One of my favorite resources is TED. These dudes know an H of a lot more than I do about everything.

In this week's featured TED video, relationship expert, Jenna McCarthy, provides some deep and insightful ideas for a good marriage, helpful for an optimistic young bastards like me.

I'm Back and I'm Married!

Hi! Man, I've been MIA for a long time. My absence can be 100% attributed to the fact that I've spent the past year planning a wedding. It was certainly a labor of love, but Matt and I were both unpleasantly surprised by how much time and energy wedding planning takes.

So now that the wedding is over, I'm very excited to be back. I can't wait to tell you all about the wedding, progress on my Life List, and my Year of Inspiration (more details on that to follow).

TED Tuesdays: The Best Stats You've Ever Seen

I had the NewsHour on in the background as I was preparing dinner last night (Man, I'm turning into my parents). The show had very little of my attention, until a voice cut through the clutter of the negative campaigning currently going on in Florida. I voice that was fast, upbeat, and energetic. I turned to the TV to see a segment on Hans Rosling. Rosling is a statistician who has developed a method and software for explaining the world's economic and health situations. Sounds like a real hoot, don't it? But it is actually very interesting and very accesible, which is Rosling's goal.

Check out his TED Talk. I promise you will entertained and enlightened.

Song of the Day

Please enjoy the B52's "Roam."

The One-Upper

Harry Potter Club Team Meeting at Harry Potter Exhibit.

Me: I wish a new Harry Potter book was coming out today and that I could go home and read it
Amy:  I too wish a new Harry Potter book was coming out today.
And when I went to the bookstore to buy it, Daniel Radcliffe was signing copies.
And when I gave him my book, he signed it with "I love you" and his phone number.
And then I called him and we sat together and he read me the new Harry Potter.
And then when I looked in the front cover there was a hole cut in the pages.
And the biggest diamond ring ever was in it.
P.S. Now we are married.

Such a one-upper!

Song of the Day
We haven't had any Abba here in a while. Please enjoy "Mama Mia."

Shaking My Fist

I was tricked, I tell you! Tricked! I’ve been shaking my fist at my friend Becca ever since we got accepted into the New York City Half Marathon. A while back I said that if she wanted to do a half marathon I would join. But that is the kind of crap we all say to each other...I didn’t think it would actually happen!

At the beginning of December, Becca IM’ed me in a panic saying that the registration for the race had just opened, and we had to sign up NOW or we wouldn’t get in. I’m always happy to get worked up into someone else’s frenzy so I signed up immediately without looking at the details of the race. Once I had submitted my information I looked took a deeper look. WHAT!? The race is on March 18th!? (the fist shaking started here) That means we will be training outside throughout January and February. I’m a bigger fan of colonoscopies than I am of running outside in the winter.

Ok ok, lets all take a deep breath. Maybe it will be fun. Maybe running in 10 degree weather along the Hudson with my lips chapping and snot steaming across my cheek will be enjoyable. But all joking (and most bitching aside), this run will be a great challenge for me. Running a half marathon is on my Life List, and I want to trim down for the wedding.

Becca, someday soon I’ll stop shaking my fist and join you for a run. And maybe, MAYBE, after the race is over, and I’ve stood up from the fetal position I plan to take at the finish line, I’ll thank you. 


Song of the Day
Please enjoy Cake's "Going the Distance."

TED Tuesdays: Nurturing Creativity

Happy New Year! After taking a long break from this blog I'm back with a revived commitment.

I thought we could get back to TED Tuesdays. Today's presentation comes from Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love. If you haven't read it, I urge you to check it out. It would be a great read to start off the year. Her talk is inspiring, funny, and thoughtful. Enjoy and tell me about your favorite TED talks.

 

Song of the Day
Please enjoy Janelle Monae's super catchy "Tightrope."

Positively Possible by 2015

Today's is World AIDS Day. Check out this video on the status of this pandemic. I was dumbfounded and elated to learn that the transmission of HIV from mother to child can be virtually eradicated by 2015. That is just three years! With so many things going wrong in the world that seem impossible to fix, it is encouraging that if we work hard we can reach a major goal in the near future.

The AIDS quilt was started in 1987 as a way to remember friends, lovers, and families that had died. Today the quilt is over 1,290,000 square feet and includes more than 91,000 names (learn more here). 2015 Quilt has started a virtual quilt, allowing you to create your own panel to show your support. Here is mine. Create your own panel! It is an easy way to support this very worthy cause.

Song of the Day
Today's song in U2's Beautiful Day.

Calmness and Respect Totally Rock

One of the speakers at Camp Mighty was Brian Piotrowicz, a producer from Oprah. It was cool being in the presence of someone who works closely with "The Great One," but Brian was inspiring in his own right. He talked a lot about the environment at Harpo. While they all work very hard, with insane hours, it is a place of calmness and respect. He said that is come from the top (Oprah) down but that everyone subscribes to the idea and it works. 

Watching a clip of the Great One during Maggie's interview of Brian

Brain had been in TV for a while before coming to Harpo, working on shows like Jenny Jones and Sally Jesse Rafael. In his other positions it didn't seem like calmness and respect were high priorities...more like screaming and insulting. I could relate because I've worked in a few places where screaming and insulting were the modus operandi. Along with belittling and punishment. And who doesn't love a little belittling and punishment? No one! No one likes or deserves to be treated that way. 


Brain said that it was like entering a new world when he got to Harpo. When he came into work each day he knew he didn't have to fear getting screamed at. And that made it easier for him to do a good job. When he said that I wanted jump up and shout "Truth!" One because I'm crazy like that and two because it is so true. 


Note: As a personal policy, I don't like to talk about my job on this blog. I like to keep the two separate. And I'm only writing about it now because a good work environment is important to me. I now work in a place where if I make a mistake I can tell my bosses immediately, and while they won't be happy that I screwed up, they acknowledge that mistakes happen, believe that I've learned my lesson, and we move on. In other work places when employees make mistakes they are so paralyzed by the fear of how their bosses will react that they cover it up. I don't have an MBA but I know that ain't no way to run a business.


Like Brain, I recognize how lucky I am to work where I do. And no matter where my career takes me, I plan to bring a feeling of calmness and respect along. I urge you to do the same.

Brian and Maggie

My friend Leslie was also inspired by Brian. Check out her cool illustration of what she took away from what he had to say.


Song of the Day
Today's song is Aretha Franklin's Respect.

TED Tuesdays: Stroke of Insight

Today's video comes from Jill Bolte Taylor. Jill is a neuroanatomist (ie brain doctor), who suffered a stroke. In this emotional and poignant video she describes her experience from the unique perspective of someone who knows a lot about the brain.



If you are interested in learning more about this amazing story (how could you not be!?), check out Dr Taylor's interview with Oprah and her New York Times Best Seller, My Stroke of Insight.

Song of the Day
Today's song is Pearl Jam's The Fixer.

101 Things in 1001 Days: 3

I'm an East Coast Kid and I love the winter. But man, those cold dark months can drag on and on. That is why I my 101 List included #4: Go some place warm during the winter. I got to cross this item off by going to Palm Springs for Camp Mighty at the beginning of November.

Like most vacations, the best day weather wise was the day I had to leave. But it was gorgeous! 80s and sunny. So I sat pool side at the Ace Hotel and ate bacon! Can you believe it? I thought I had died and gone to heaven!

What my heaven looks like.

That was definitely one of the best days of the past 1001.

Song of the Day
Today's song is The Mamas & The Papas California Dreaming, because that is what I've been doing since I left Palm Springs.

TED Tuesdays: The World Needs All Kinds of Minds

Today's featured TED Talk is from Temple Grandin. An incredible woman, whose presentation is particularly inspiring. Grandin proves that everyone has strengths, and that with the right encouragement, we all can be great.



Thanks so much to Annie for recommending this Talk. I'ld love for you to tell me which TED Talks positively inspire you.

Song of the Day
Today's song is Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguillera. I've got them moooOOOoooves like Jagger!

TED Tuesdays: If I Should Have a Daughter...

I've been told by lots of interesting people lately how much they learn and are inspired by TED Talks. TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a not for profit that creates conferences and videos featuring "Ideas Worth Spreading." So I'm going to educate and inspire myself with a weekly TED video and I'll share them with you.

My friend Ryan suggested this first video, starring Sarah Kay, an incredibly talented poet.

Are there any TED Talks you love?

Mightier Than Ever

Enlightened in Palm Springs

I returned from Camp Mighty late last night. I'm still processing all the new ideas I heard and the incredible people I met. I need to do some sorting out before I can write it out for you, but I will tell you that something major happened to me this weekend. I don't know how to describe it exactly, but there as been a shift. And I'm excited, and when I finally get some sleep I'll be energized too.

I've been talking about Camp Mighty so much that I don't want to completely leave you hanging... At Camp we selected five items from our Life Lists that we will try to accomplish in the upcoming year. We were assigned teams, shared our five goals, and asked our team for help and support to complete them.

I ask for that same support from all of you. And in return I'll do what I can to help you achieve your goals. One of the most powerful messages I took away from this weekend is that we don't have to conquer everything alone. In fact, it is a whole lot more fun to do it together.

The lovely necklace we each received. Each ring represents one of our five goals for the year.

So here is what I hope to, nay will do this year:

• Do a pull up
• Find a blogging mentor
• Go to Colorado
• Plan a stress-free wedding
• Record every book I read, with a quote

While some these things may not seem particularly hard or deep, they all hold meaning for me. And I'm pumped about focusing on them and looking forward to sharing them with you.

Song of the Day
This weekend was a lot about self-reflection. Lets get punny! and enjoy Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror.

Presenting My Life List

One of our assignments for Camp Mighty is to create a Life List, a list of things we want to accomplish in our lives (similar to a Bucket List but sounds less morbid). This is perfect timing as the 1,001 days for my 101 List are coming to a close. My 101 List truly changed my life (I'll write more about this later). While creating my Life List, I was again excited for all the amazing things I plan to do. So I present to you my Life List! And you should create your own! You will be astounded by all the totally bad ass things you will get to do.


Also, I'm continuing to campaign for Charity: Water, a non-profit organization that works to bring clean and safe drinking water to the 1 billion people worldwide who do not have access to this most basic necessity. All the Mighty Campers are working hard to raise money for this worthy cause. And I need your help. 


To give please go to http://mycharitywater.org/campmightyteamthree and click Donate to Our Campaign. When you donate please be sure to add my name or PositivelyAnna in the Comment Section so I know who you are and can send you love, good juju, and happy thoughts. While I'll still love you if you aren't able to donate, giving as little as $5 will go a long way. It only takes $20 to provide one person with clean water and your $5 can be a big part of that.


Song of the Day
Today's song is What a Feeling.

Puts It In Perspective

Hope you are having a relaxing Sunday, enjoying time with friends and family, picking apples, or watching the NYC Marathon (Go Nicole!). But imagine if three hours of your day had to be spent getting water for your family. This video helped put things into perspective for me.




You can help support Charity: Water with a donation as little as $5. Click here to donate. When you donate please be sure to add my name or PositivelyAnna in the Comment Section so I know who you are and can send you love, good juju, and happy thoughts.


Song of the Day
Today's song is Born to Run, in honor of all the incredible athletes running today. You inspire me!

Charity: Water

I'm going to Camp Mighty next week and I couldn't be more excited. This event promises to be one of inspiration, learning, and fun, but most importantly making a positive impact on the world. Before arriving we have to create a Life List and while we are there we will help each other move closer to our listed goals. So while we are there to improve our own lives, there will also be tremendous effort focused on improving the lives of others. It is in this spirit that we will be supporting Charity: Water.

Charity: Water is a non-profit organization that works to bring clean and safe drinking water to the 1 billion people worldwide who do not have access to this most basic necessity. All the Mighty Campers are working hard to raise money for this worthy cause. And I need your help. 

Please watch this video; an impassioned plea by Charity: Water's founder Scott Harrison. You will see how great the need is, as well as the amazing accomplishments this organization has already achieved.

To give please go to http://mycharitywater.org/campmightyteamthree and click Donate to Our Campaign.      When you donate please be sure to add my name or PositivelyAnna in the Comment Section so I know who you are and can send you love, good juju, and happy thoughts. While I'll still love you if you aren't able to donate, giving as little as $5 will go a long way. It only takes $20 to provide one person with clean water and your $5 can be a big part of that.


Song of the Day
Please enjoy Aretha Franklin's Bridge of Troubled Waters...a wonderful version of this great song.

At Home with Carl Lagerfeld

This Halloween, designer Carl Lagerfeld allowed us into his home to see his domestic side. Well it might have been my friend Shu-Ping in a Chanel-tastic costume, but I'm pretty sure it was Carl.

Meet Carl. He's just like you.

Carl likes to lounge.

Carl is not above leftovers.

And after a long day of ruling the runway, Carl goes for a light brewski.

(Thanks to Nika, Shelia, and Shups for the pictures)

Song of the Day

Please enjoy Deee-Lite's Groove is in the Heart.