Saturday, March 31, 2012

Visitors.

My visitors are still here and I keep showing them my favorites. Here, around U Street. Today, they want to go shopping, so we'll start with breakfast at Pentagon City Mall.


Friday, March 30, 2012

What kinda gal?

I was walking home from Harris Teeter with the 24 cans of beer I had bought (yes, future employer, I do, occasionally drink beer; and no they were not all for me) and experienced something funny as well as a little disturbing.

An older man smiles at me from the other side of the road:

"That's one fine girl, carrying her own beer. My kinda gal!"

I smiled at him and said "yes, of course." Ten seconds later, I stop by a traffic light and two guys my age smile, nod and give me a big "yeeaah."

It's funny, the way so many people is this country just randomly smile and talk to you. However, the perception that a woman a) doesn't drink beer and b) can't carry her own 24 cans of beer annoys me. Not saying that this would be something representative of American mentality, but there is still a difference between men and women in this country that I don't experience back home.

This is actually something I have experienced in most countries where I have traveled, lived and spent a lot of time. I have often found myself closer to the male attendees of a party than to the female ones. Somehow, I always seem to shock people, doing things girls shouldn't do. And now I am asking myself; are Swedes relatively equal or am I a manly kind a gal?


Thursday, March 29, 2012

Parents in town!

My lovely parents are in town and they are enjoying it. Yes, see how happy they are...

NB! Matching colors! I guess that's what happens after 39 years.

...and I am happy that they are here. It's so much fun showing them what I've been up to the last 8 months. It actually becomes real to me that this is what I've done. This is where I've been. Oh, lovely life in DC. Today I'll take the cute couple to the Newseum and we'll round up with a visit to Busboys.

Monday, March 26, 2012

SMC-DC Recap: How to master your Personal Branding.

"Alright, so let's all check in with the hashtag #smcdc!"Last week, I was among the 50 something social media savvy Washingtonians who attended Social Media Club DC's March event, focusing on how to take care of your own personal brand in the social media realm. I wouldn't say that I encountered any brand new information, but it's always inspiring and interesting listening to panel discussions and Q&A sessions.

Let me present to you my personal key takeaways:

1. Be yourself, but be smart and professional. Think of the person your respect the most in the world when you are about to contribute with online content – he or she might find it, you know! If you're okay with showing all your Twitter/Facebook/LinedIn content with that person, simply publish! Employers are looking for humans, with feelings and flaws as we all have, but with good judgement. What can you say when and when should you not say anything at all?

2. Furthermore, be strategic when deciding what you do want to say. Stuff all your bios with smart keywords. Just like any brand would do, think in terms of SEO (search engine optimization, for those of you not in the know). In what context do you want to be found? Be in charge of people's search results and make sure your LinkedIn profile shows up when they search for "general awesomeness," or what have you.

3. And for me, the most important reminder: if an employer don't accept you for who you are, how could you ever do a good job and feel comfortable in that workplace? Personal branding, when done honestly and strategically, could help you finding a good match. Employers and employees all want to work with likeminded people, so be accurate when you present the brand that is YOU and that longed for "click" is more likely to appear.

No such thing as "please put your phone away" at a social media event.

Learn from the Pros.

Disconnect, unplug and leave those emails for later! Apparently, Saturday was National day of Unplugging. We were supposed to disconnect from our dear tech devices and don't care about work. Did you know about it? Did you do it? I knew about it, but didn't do it. I spent all my day with my Mac in my lap, thinking about the work week to come.

And here it is, Monday morning again. We summed up last week with a great meeting. It ended up lasting for two whole hours, where we interns presented some research, opened up for good discussions and received a whole lot of valuable feedback and insights.

I'm sorry if I'm being repetitive, but receiving feedback is really key to making progress. Also, listening to ideas from somebody who has been in the business – and been successful too! – for more than 30 years is the best lesson of them all.

All notes from Friday's meeting are waiting for me at the office. After some rearranging of my schedule, this will be a short week, so let's go ahead and make the most of it!

Nope, no unplugged Saturday for me.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Waffles for all!

Not only is it my beloved mom's birthday today, it is also Waffle Day. At least in Sweden. And since 305 is, despite the American flag that welcomes you in our hallway, 100% Swedish, we had no other choice but to start this day with waffles!

Unfortunately, our kitchen is not equipped with a waffle iron, so we turned to second best: IHOP! It became some kind of cross-cultural waffle celebration, honoring the great waffle (oh well, let's just pretend that's what we're doing March 25) along with the so all American families having their Sunday IHOP brunch.

Sometimes, the best possible outcome appears when you mix two cultures. In this case, the Swedish Waffle Day plus the American way of eating this delicious, crisp batter cake – with lots and lots and looots of syrup!

Did you miss out on this holiday? It ain't over yet! It's still totally justified to indulge in some sweetness. Just do it.


Do you know her?

Do you know anybody with a heart so big you wonder when it is going to explode? Do you know anybody who might seem a bit all over the place, yet still has the ability to calm everybody down? Do you know anybody who can get a kid seemingly on hunger strike to eat a big portion of spagetti bolognese and still ask for more? Do you know anybody who forgets her own shoes when going skiing, but remembers to pack everything else for the whole family? Do you know anybody who can take care of four children, three in-laws and four grandchildren and always bring her husband his favorite chocolate?

Do you know my mom? I am so sorry for you if you don't, because she truly is an amazing woman, whom I admire and love and wish all the best for her 60th birthday that is today! 

Happy Birthday Mom! We all love you and here is a little hello from the Team.


The Cereal Country.

Adjusting to a new culture is not always easy. There are new socially created rules to adopt, new food to learn to like, new moral values to understand. And for the one coming to the United States of America, too much cereal to choose from!

I kid you not, choosing cereal in this county is, for an indecisive person like me, a one day job, at its minimum! Do I want granola? Nuts? Which one of the fifteen strawberry ones? Or maybe another berry? No sugar added? With pieces of peanutbutter? Marshmallows? Wheat? WHAT do I want?

The options are too many. But the last time I went grocery shopping the option was only one. Please see below and understand that I obviously want to eat the breakfast of champions – all day, everyday. Thank you General Mills, for making my cereal choice so much easier.



Saturday, March 24, 2012

Caf̩ Citron Рfor the child in you.

Welcome summer! I love you, please never leave me. We ended this summery work week with an after work meetup at Café Citron, located on Connecticut Avenue, not even a full block down from Dupont Circle.

Definitely a go-to-place, with tex-mexy food and table cloths ready for your creativity. And now you think: What? And now I will explain that their table cloths are made of paper and each table is equipped with a bunch of crayons – ready for you to use!

For the kids, they tried to tell me. So what? I haven't left the kid in me, so I started the art project. We had a great time, just what you need after a week at the office. Thus, note to you: Café Citron. Bring out the child in you, unleash your creativity and enjoy some ceviche.




Thursday, March 22, 2012

You heard me, leave the office and GO HOME!

I just read a brilliant piece about why we should leave work when we are supposed to, and not stay those extra hours. The gist of the article is basically that working over time doesn't really mean you're getting more work done. We need rest to stay focused and creative. True story, true story.

This semester, I have the best possible schedule. I am working Monday through Thursday, 8:30am-5:30pm. Every other Friday, I meet with my classmates for a seminar, where our professor continuously educates us in American culture, history, what have you and encourages us to keep up the good work at our internships.

Basically, I have a four day work week. Absolutely perfect. Even though I like working and being busy, I enjoy this period – after reading the previously mentioned article with a little less guilty feelings of admitting that an extra day off every other week is kind of neat. Who knows when it will ever happen again? Probably never, since we live in a real world of 55-hour-week-working-people.

That being said, tomorrow I'll be at the office even though it's Friday, since I'm taking a day off next week when I will have visitors in town. But as the article suggests, I will do my job when I'm there and make sure to leave on time. Also, I believe most workplaces have lunch breaks for a reason. People, realize that we need that short period of time in the middle of the day to re-energize; with food and possibly some leisure reading.


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

But. What do you want?

"Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get."

So. STOP. Close your eyes for a second. What is it that you are looking for. What do you want? Do you want what you want?

Today's horoscope told me that I am finally figuring out what it is that I really want and that I will start believing that I can actually get it too. Some days I think I know. Others, I want the opposite. But when I turn to my heart, I mean really to my heart, I know. I always know. Do you know?


Hello My Name Is...

In a time and world where media has become social and accessible for everyone, branding is no longer only about creating ideas about products. If you are out there, you are a brand and you should think about how you are being perceived based on what you present.

This, I believe, is what will be discussed at Social Media Club DC's March event tonight at ONE Lounge in Washington DC. And if I'm going to make it in time, I better get going. I promise to give you an update if I find out any good dos and don'ts.

In the meantime, cheer(yblossoms)io!


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Warning: Beauty Overload. Cherry Blossoms.

He is there. She is there. They are there. We are there. You are there. I am there. And here we all are. One hundred years ago, 3,000 cherry trees were given to they city of Washington DC, to honor the friendship between Japan and the US and these wonderful trees still make the north bank of Tidal Basin into an area of peace and harmony.

Everybody is there. Unable to put their cameras down. How could they? There is so much beauty to be captured and saved. How can a world that can create such grace be anything but lovely?

Starting today, and five weeks to come, there will be Cherry Blossom events all over town; street parades, fireworks, music and dance performances, kite festival, symposiums and of course, just amazing trees to wander under.

There is something about cherry blossoms. It's a kind of magic. The peaceful flowers puts people in a trance, unable to put their cameras down.








Monday, March 19, 2012

How to handle a metro delay.

So, a slow computer that didn't want to turn off has already kept you at the office fifteen minutes later than usual, you walk down to the metro, only to find it full of commuters, just standing still. What's going on? The man next to you has no idea and the Metro worker gives very little information; "PEOPLE, STOP GOING DOWN TO THE PLATFORM! CAN'T YOU SEE IT'S OVERCROWDED?!"

In a situation like that you can a) ignore the Metro worker and try to squeeze yourself in between the other people who wants nothing but to come home; b) scream and shout in dissatisfaction; or c) take the escalator back up to the street, pop in to Frozenyo and stroll in the afternoon sun to another metro station, not affected by the delay.

Tell me, which option would you choose?

Really, Froyo is all about the topping!

Ordinary day in DC, people in line to see a glimpse of the President.


What did I learn? I don't know. What did you learn? I know!

What did I do and what did I learn? Keeping a journal of your work duties is easy. More difficult is answering the question of what you learned, when you pose it to yourself. A few days ago, I had somewhat of an aha experience, when someone else asked me what I had done and what I had learned.

I found myself in the middle of an enthusiastic explanation of social media statistics, strategies and ideas. I simply knew what I was talking about and I realized that it was all recently acquired skills.

In addition to getting feedback, the receipt of knowing that you actually learn something, is telling somebody else what you know. Education and knowledge only shows when you get the opportunity to show it off. That is why I enjoy working in a team, it gives you the opportunity of both asking and answering to questions. Q&A's bring us forward, make it fun, show us what we know and what is yet to learn.


Sunday, March 18, 2012

Bike hike with a hint of green.

Yesterday, it was that time of the year again when America went green and Irish (and drunk!). The 305 girls took the green in St. Patrick's Day and turned to nature instead of green beer.

We borrowed two bikes, rented a third one by the river in Old Town Alexandria and then we hit the approximately 8 mile long bike trail to Mt. Vernon, the astonishing estate of George Washington, in perfect shape as he left it when he passed away in 1799.

The ten minute tour in the mansion – decorated with vivid colors as it actually looked way back when – and the stroll in the beautiful garden full of history and well kept souvenirs, was a visit worth its effort. And really, the effort of getting there was half the pleasure. The bike trail is in perfect shapes and gives you a wonderful sightseeing with amazing views.

A bike trip to Mt. Vernon is a perfect Saturday hike. Especially when the sun is shining and the air is warm. We were definitely high on life. Go green, experience nature, that's what it's all about.

Voilà, Mount Vernon!

Mischievous picnic no. 1 by the river. "No food allowed." Oops.

The Mansion.

Happy campers! We fully understood why he built his mansion on that exact spot.

The one not wearing green on St. Pattys can be pinched, so we brought our Novapösar as protection.

Back in Old Town, where green was all over and the Irish tunes were in the air.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Uninformed. Unwelcome information.

Oh well, isn't this great. Fridays are my days on campus and normally I go to my beloved gym after class. It is, potentially, the best moment of the whole week. Actually, it is the best moment of the week. Today, since I have an important meeting scheduled for this afternoon, I decided to be an early bird and visit the gym before class.

Great in theory, turned out not so good in practice. This is what welcomed me:


Great. Just great. No workout and no best moment of the week. I simply went to campus two hours before class to have a shower (because I needed one, my hair, eew...). Good thing I've got my friend Mac. And some coffee. And the intention of at least trying to make this a good day, despite the missed out workout. After all, it's Friday.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

The chances. The choices. The inner voices.

Sometimes we do wrong
Sometimes we do right
Sometimes we have no idea what we are doing
Sometimes every day becomes a huge fight

Chances can fall down on you
Chances can pass by
But what can one person alone do?
I guess, the least I can do is try

Take one step to the left
Only to realize you should have stayed right
Oh, what do we know?
The solution does not simply appear over one night

The chances brings us to the inevitable situation of choices
The choices immediately awakens the inner voices

What do they say?
Hush! Listen carefully. 


Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Love confessions of a linguistic mind.

I told you the other day that I'm a language nerd. But what does that mean? Well, it means that I wish I could sit and look into a grammar book all day long and just learn how verbs are being conjugated and how synonyms are almost the same but not really.

It also means that I absolutely love puns – omgthatspunny is one of my favorite tweeters. The best kind of wordplay is that one that actually involves linguistics in some kind of way. Once, I went to a Grammar festival (true, it's true). One of the lectures was called something as brilliant as:

"A preposition is bad to end a sentence with."

I will never forget that. Oh dear, my heart races whenever I think about it. #nerd

What's your thing? What do you love so much it becomes a bit dorky?

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Working out or simply working?

I just read an article on The Society Pages, showing how a typical CEO spend his or her 55 hour working week. Out of those hours, 20 are devoted to "miscellaneous" projects, including working out for example.

The writer of the article discusses the issue of a CEO getting the benefit of counting working out as working, while this probably wouldn't be the case for a low wage employee. Good point, that is an issue. But instead of focusing on the inequalities here, I would like to view this report from a different angle. I would like to encourage more CEOs to actually do count working out as working (obviously for everybody!).

Have you ever read about how physical activity also improves your mental health? Yes? That's what I thought. Then think about how well that could fit into the workplace. Just as this article on BusinessNewsDaily suggests, employees who work out regularly have a better mental health which, in turn, makes them better workers. Thus, offering employees the benefit of going to the gym or attending a zumba class during office hours could actually be beneficial for the company in the long run.

Yes, CEOs, mid-level workers, associates, interns, what have you – let's all pack that gym bag, get comfortable in a tracksuit, put on those joggers and run our way to our career goals.


Speaking of plus one's.

Are you a Google+ user? I wish you were. Then I would add you to one of my circles and we could share relevant information with each other. You would get to know my real me through my scrapbook photos and we could gather a group of friends and have a hangout – a video call with up to ten different accounts, all free of charge! Wouldn't that be neat?

And speaking of neat, isn't the design, even though its similarities with Facebook, so much cleaner than previous mentioned social network? I'm a big fan of Google design in general and Plus does not disappoint me.

But everybody is on Facebook. Google+ might count for over 100 million users, but not even Google itself seems to know how many of those who are actually active. What's the point of hanging out where nobody else is? Like going to an empty restaurant and be surrounded by nothing but music and a waitress who is dying to get home. Well, when the atmosphere is pleasant and the food is good, take the opportunity of getting to know that waitress. Being alone in a restaurant can actually open up for great service and an unforgettable experience.

Go ahed, create an account and add me to a suitable circle and we can hang out and get to know each other and everything that Google+ has to offer. The atmosphere is so nice, I just wish I could have some more company over there. A plus one would be neat.


Monday, March 12, 2012

Can you smell the light and green?

I was so unbelievably tired when I came home from work around 6pm, but I needed to get some fresh air. Clear my head and just listen to geeky podcasts ("Spr̴ket" Р"The language" Рwhich is exactly what it sounds like, a radio show where language nerds discuss grammar in all kinds of ways).

Out I went. Happy I was, to feel a light breeze in my hair. It was neither hot nor cold. Just nice. Just under 70°F I think. And not only did I feel it, but I could smell it. Knowing the DC weather, it might just flip and be freezing in a day or two, but today, I could smell spring.

That warm and light feeling in the air, the smell of green and new life, yes, even if it rains it smells wonderful. Summer rain. Mmm. It all just makes that big mess a whole lot easier to try to sort out. I was born a child of the summer. I cannot stand cold and dark, so thank God it's getting lighter.

Time to brighten up and think positively about what the future holds. As a matter of fact, I have three very important meetings scheduled for the next couple of weeks. Let's call that some kind of progress. It'll be alright. It has to be.

Don't kick me out, I'm not done yet.


Where to be, what to say, what to do.

Being an intern is sometimes being in a rather odd position. Simply because you don't really have a fixed position. You're not an employee, so you're not exactly equal with the others and you don't have the authorization to do a lot of things on your own. Nor are you a student, so you're still expected to do certain things on your own, without constantly seeking for advice.

You are the intern and you are in the middle. Even though it can be a bit confusing, finding the proper balance and the right spot at the right time, it's a great opportunity – just because of that adapting-to-the-situation-postion. It teaches you a lot and I am very grateful for the internship opportunity I have been given.

Unfortunately, that opportunity is soon coming to an end. Note to self: make the most out of it!


Sunday, March 11, 2012

Tweets and cartwheels.

If you could make a wish and create a job that would be a combination of your biggest passions in life, what would it be? And did you ever think that this particular job might actually exist? The other day, I found a university program called Sport Communication. Basically, it trains you to become brilliant in using different media in order to communicate the beauty of sport, fitness and health. And I'm not only talking about being a sports journalist, I'm talking about overall communication and everything that is included under that umbrella.

Enter my belief about social media being such a brilliant tool for combining your interests. Tweeting about gymnastics for a living, for example. I can't think of something more dream like. Actually, to be out there with the girls and live in a tracksuit would be ideal, of course, but you get my point.

Combine your passions and share them across the Web. Most of us do that, anyway. I'm doing some really intense thinking myself right now, how I could do that in a smart way. I'll keep you posted; here or on Twitter or maybe on one of my Pinterest boards.

Ciao!


No plus one, but two pearls.

Who needs a Plus One when you know you'll always have two? Two Pearls.

I made sure two grab these two pearls on the red carpet, lining up to the big premier that was my sister and her husband's wedding, when it was picture time. Who wants to attend a wedding all alone?

I wish they were here now. I could need some of their wisdom and cool way of looking at life. The younger one always teaches me something new about Star Wars and the older one constantly challenges my intellect with curious questions. They are two absolutely brilliant boys. I miss you, my beloved Pearls.


Saturday, March 10, 2012

No plans tonight? Not enough flamingos in your life?

We often say that the people make the place. A statement that is so very often so very true. But you know, sometimes the place actually makes itself. That's the case for Freddie's Beach Bar & Restaurant on 23rd Street in Crystal City, VA (although, I must add that I did enjoy my company too, just to clarify that).

The other night, my buddy B2 and I found ourselves lying on the floor, incapable of deciding what we wanted to do and we realized that we needed to do something fun. "I know! Let's go to the flamingo place!" I suddenly shouted and said and done, we went.

As I said, I did enjoy my company, but even if I had not, I would have had a fantastic evening because Freddie's sure delivers an experience. The food was good, yes, but it was kind of overshadowed by the interior design; chandeliers, Barbies, disco lights, flamingos, just to give you an idea.

If you find yourself without dinner plans and also need a bit of color and feather in your life, head out to Crystal City and enjoy crazy hour at Freddie's. Because sometimes, some sparkling, purple diamonds are just what you need and deserve.

You'll see it. It's the eye catching place with flamingos and all the colors of the rainbow.

Note to self: LIVE.

I live. I love. I write things. 

Lately, it seems like I haven't paid as much attention to that first part as I should. I was terrified when that thought struck me. Therefore, when me lovely ex-roommate suggested frozen margaritas for $1 this very Saturday, I had to say yes.

It doesn't matter if I send out more job/intern applications now or tomorrow. I will not get closer to my goal if I sit and read all about university admission today or later. Whatever. I have to live and I have to live here, in the nation's capital!

Back to excitement and that can-do-want-to spirit. I lost that somewhere along the way and that is not pleasant. Live and love. I write things all the time anyway. I'm off to DC. See you out there!




Friday, March 9, 2012

When the gray zone playing doesn't apply.

Most of my time, I play my game in a gray zone. Not saying that my life is gray and boring, no, that's not what I mean. Quite the opposite actually. I believe in gray; let me explain. Most situations we encounter are more complex than being right or wrong. There are often more than two options and there can be several players with different input and different points of view.

I believe that within the gray area, if we accept its complexity, we can build a platform for creativity and all the world's colors. That's where it happens and where we can explore and learn.

However. There is one exception to my rule. When it comes to matters of the heart, love and affection, I only have two sides. Black or white. I either love with all my heart, beyond what could ever be described as common sense; or I don't feel at all and I don't put any trust in any kind of emotion.

No need to analyze that kind of mindset. The alert reader will understand its consequences. But let me just tell you, that even if I could change it and be more gray and feel a little more when I should or feel a little less when I shouldn't, I wouldn't. There is something about love that makes it impossible to play it gray.


Give a little. Get a lot.

There are certain words I have always and will always live by. For instance, I believe that if you see a person without a smile, you should give them one of yours. I try to, as often as I can. Because let me tell you, sharing is also how we are winning.

Never be afraid of running out of smiles, because if you have been giving them out when you have had lots, you will be getting them back when you find yourself in need of them. This is not merely a strong conviction. This is proven facts.

What goes around comes around. I like being greeted with a smile so I do my best to give them out when I have plenty in stock. And for those days when there is not a smile in sight in my own world, receiving one from a stranger gives me hope.




Thursday, March 8, 2012

How to master life.

"Now, with your situation it's easy."

What? Is it? Really? Oh, dear reader, you have no idea how happy I was to hear a complete stranger utter those words. So, the situation is that your devoted blogger is not really ready to leave this country, nor this area, but she has been struggling trying to find a way to be able to stay.

After a very helpful meeting with a student coordinator, new doors seem to have opened and even though the situation isn't really "easy" as Mr. B. stated, at least it isn't hopeless. What did I say, your hope is the last thing to leave your body!

After a long bus ride home from a previously unfamiliar area of Virginia, where the meeting took place, your blogger just happened to end up at Busboys for a quick lunch and some thorough research for potential future life situation. Excitement and energy. Those are two very much longed for feelings.

It's not easy, but neither is it impossible. Learning how to master life with a roller coaster mind is a trick, but I like the challenge. And I am where I am, am I not? (Currently at Busboys in Shirlington. Pure Love.)


Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Hello shallow.

Beauty, happiness and well-being should come from the inside. At least I am a strong believer of that. However, every now and then, a hot shower, some fresh smelling body butter and really red nail polish is exactly what a girl – or a guy – needs to feel good. Yes, sometimes the inside feels better when the outside is being pampered.

Happy Wednesday night. And to tonight's noodle dinner, we are watching episode 2, season 3. Mad Men, of course.

Good evening from shower, polished and shallow!


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Why I love social.

Since I graduated from high school I have been living a searching life. I immediately traveled out into the real world and explored new cultures. I have been the odd one out. I have been trying to fit it, trying to understand. I have explored and I have excluded. I have believed in promises and I have been let down.

But certain things have never failed me: my running shoes and my camera; my curiosity and my words. And now, I understand that I can use all that. There are ways to combine all the passions and at this very moment my head is full of ideas (you now know what that looks like).

I've got a toolbox full of tools. I just need time to build and probably also a helping hand every now and then.

Possibilities. Chances. That's why I'm totally sold on the idea of Social Media.


Creativity – inside my head.

What does your creativity process look like? Mine is a mess. A complete mess. Words. Colors. Question marks and exclamation points. Circles and arrows and conclusions that seem completely out of place for an inexperienced eye, but make total sense to the brain behind them, i.e. me.

It's important to learn how to let your ideas grow; accept what works for you. A teacher once told me that creativity is nothing we can ever run out of, but that we get more of it, the more we use it. Thus, when it comes to me – as it sometimes does unexpectedly and sometimes by forcing it – I just let it flow and I don't care about the mess.

 It looks a little bit like this.




Monday, March 5, 2012

Write your own script.

I like watching people. I often wonder what they are doing, where they are going, where they have been and if they are happy. I think of people as their own movies. Everybody has a story to tell. Everybody has a soundtrack to accompany them. But how about a genre?

Are we born into a predestined genre that becomes the story of our lives? Sometimes I think yes. Oftentimes I hope no. There must be ways to fool the dramaturgy and have it all take unexpected turns. Right?

The best movies are those that surprise us. Those that suddenly become something we never could have imagined. Those that bring us characters we didn't even knew existed and deliver lines we never dreamed of uttering. Those kind of movies happen when we step over the line, look around the corner and listen carefully to the world around us.

Do you sometimes feel like you are stuck in a genre where you should not be? What can be done about that? Hey, let's try to pause for a moment and think about what you would normally do. Write it down and then, when you press Play again, throw away the note and do the exact opposite of what was written on it.

Write the script as you want it to be, not as it always has been.


Sunday, March 4, 2012

Dancing in the rain.

When encountering a seemingly hopeless situation you can either A: Watch an entire series of Mad Men and eat a lot of doughnuts or B: Get your ass – sorry, I mean act – together and start learning how to dance in the rain and jump over the puddles.

I watched one episode of Mad Men and had one doughnut for breakfast (completely justified, given the circumstances, actually, never mind, that kind of behavior is always justified). And you know what? Now I feel great.

Spring is in the air, so let me vault over all the obstacles and dance around as I usually do. Hopelessness? That's just silly. Everybody knows that the hope is the last thing to leave your body. And the last time I checked, I was fully alive and kicking.

Cheers mate!