Thursday, November 17, 2011

A note from Nomadic Naugs

I'm going on a mid-Western mid-November tour tomorrow for little apparent reason.

I'll see Chicago for the first time since I was 7, a modmade I haven't seen since graduation from BC, and Ann Arbor, Michigan in all its' collegiate splendor, and then I'll bounce back to Manhattan Monday night only to leave for Boston Wednesday morning.

Looking forward to being home for the holiday, I'm even more excited to get home to New York the following week for the onset of the Christmas Season.

I just needed to make this note, because obviously Thanksgiving is the occasion for this pilgrimage to MA  I'll be making next week, and my mother, I must say, does a tremendous job hosting our brood.  Numbering anywhere from 17 - 35 family members and friends, she graciously greets guests with a table that's been set at least a week in advance.

And just a minute ago the bosslady sent around some gorgeous imagery of Thanksgiving feasts styled by our Boston based artists, and commented on how it was getting her excited for next Thursday.

But the thought that occurred to me, as I took note of the care that had been taken in selecting seasonal napkin rings and placemats, that I never plan to throw a dinner party.  And that someday when I have to host a holiday annually for my family - I'll probably pay someone to think of the pretty touches that will effectively set the scene.

Because that's just not really my thing.

Sometimes I wonder

Who reads my blog?

And then ads like this show up on the Facebook sidebar, and I realize... the people in charge of their targeted marketing do.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Mouse in my house

As you may or may not know, I waged a full scale war against bed bugs in the winter of 2009, I harbor a strong desire to kick a pigeon at some point in my life, and I am really a reluctant animal lover at best:
Let's just say, I don't have the money to buy real leather or fur but even if I did, I doubt I'd be the first to check labels. I'm not proud, I'm just honest.

The point is, I want vermin and pests as far away from me as possible, and while I realize I share Manhattan with innumerable rodents, when I say to my San Fran roommates (we're finally not living 4 to a 2 bedroom apt THANK GOD, but we're still pushing the limits of the lovely 2B with the 2 of them sharing my chiaccherona roomie's old room), and when I say to them that we are not just talking friendly field mice but rather the threat of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA MICE finding feasts for themselves amidst the food they CONTINUE to leave uncovered on our kitchen counter, clogging the drain to the sink and sans wrapping in our refrigerator I MEAN IT.

So now I am sitting behind my desk at my home office in my equivalent of a biohazardous suit - aka boots and my work out gear. Because should I come across the mouse they screamed about when they thought they saw it a mere hour ago I will want the option to crush it with my heel or at the very least to not have to fear having it scamper across my otherwise sock wearing foot.

Aggressive?

You bet.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Make A Wish

11 - 11 - 11

I mean if you think about it.... Every day occurs just once in a century. Right? The next time it's 11/10/11 it will be in the year 2111. And the next time it will be 12/25/11 is 100 years from this Christmas as well.

Still, it's an awfully cool series of numbers to write at the top of a letter or date a check with. And if you buy into this vibration business it could mean for some crazy good comeuppance over the course of the day. I'm not gonna lie, I've attributed the flurry of activity I've had at work this morning to the mysticism, and I finally remembered to pack the $2 winning Massachusetts scratch ticket I've had on my desk for months in my wallet for my trip to Boston this weekend for the Chilly Half Marathon I'm running Sunday with my dad and my doctor roomie's dad.

I like the idea that

"we are currently transitioning into the 11th house of the zodiac—the age of the Aquarius. Progressive and intuitive, the sign rules technology, humanitarianism, philanthropy, nonconformity and idealism. According to astrological predictions, a wealth of new information will dominate the coming months."

especially if the unveiling of my book to a broader audience counts toward that wealth of new information.

It's almost ready!!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Close Friends

Featured link this morning brings you to a fashion blog:

Not really my style (let's be honest, I just act the part 40+ hours / week in the fashion & photography industries), but aside from the fact that I do know beautiful photography, styling and hair & makeup when I see it *special shout out to the ENNIS Artist who worked on this shoot,* I loved the bit in this blurb reflecting on close friends...

"There is an unsaid love between true friends that is often expressed in quiet moments. Longing for familiarity and comfort is a void that is filled by one another. This unsaid understanding between two people - that need to be close, is often overlooked when all is well with the world."

So true, right? And probably has something to do with how excited I was to email 24 of my closest friends from "home" (17 high school friends, and 7 of their spouses and significant others who we've adopted into the group at this point) about putting plans on the calendar for later this month when I and many of them will be in Boston for my favorite four or five days. All's well with the world, I still love me some qtime with that bunch.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Most wonderfuls

Huzzah!! November 1st!!

You'll be excited to know that I awoke this morning for a 7am All Saints' Day mass and promptly said aloud, "Rabbit Rabbit" before uttering anything else. This is how I know my prime is approaching, as to have remembered to do this TWICE on the first of the month in ONE YEAR, is practically unheard of (in the history of my life anyway).

Glorious sign of good things to come.

And on the subject of favorites (November is my favorite month!) I have some recommendations to share with you, my audience. Because I attended a talk on effective social networking, and the woman who gave it suggested making referrals that your blog readers / target audiences might need. And since that population's still sort of being assembled, I thought I'd drop a broad range of links below...

I have the most wonderful hair stylists is Manhattan:
Michael @ Devachan who cuts my curls
Rose @ Hair Farfalla who colors them
Sergi @ Blondies who straightens them periodically

My brother had the most wonderful wedding photographer in all of Massachusetts:
But I also think I've stumbled upon the most wonderful wedding photographer in San Francisco:
And happen to be friends with the most wonderful wedding photographer in LA:
(When I am in the market for a NY Wedding photographer, I'll weigh in on the best in the biz in my own backyard)

Meanwhile, I also have the most wonderful time taking Improv classes and suggest anyone looking for a fun(ny) time in the city see shows at: http://newyork.ucbtheatre.com/
Am pretty sure the most wonderful cup of hot chocolate in Manhattan is not found at Serendipity but rather Corner Bakery on the Upper East Side.

And can say without a doubt that the most wonderful emails I could have received today were the ones notifying me that contributions have been made to my fundraising page for the marathon even without me having sent it around just yet: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/daniellenaugler/RunningforCover_Boston_2012