The Three Faces of Eve

Imagine the possibilities. Imagine the adventures. Imagine the places you'd go. If you only you were Eve White...or Eve Black...or is it Jane? If having multiple personalities wasn't a severe personality disorder, I'd swear everyone would have them, myself included.

This movie tapped a part of my brain that I didn't know existed. The first time I saw it, I was in awe. You mean this girl was several people? How did this happen? What if you were to wake up as someone else every day? Who would you be if you had the choice?

"Honey, there are a lot of things you've never seen me do before. That's no sign I don't do 'em."
~Joanne Woodward as Eve Black in Three Faces of Eve

When trying to figure out your life's passion, you sometimes feel pulled in several directions. Actually, not sometimes, ALL THE TIME. The thought of "giving in" crosses your mind daily. What would happen if I just took a boring accounting job just for the income? Would my dreams be put on hold for yet another undetermined amount of time? Should I just take something to get me by financially? Can I look past the boring activity and just suck it up?

I already know the answers to these questions. Even though it would seem easy enough to just do what I know I can do, I cannot let myself down. The whole point of this exercise is to find my passion. It would be wrong for me to make this kind of choice. I would not forgive myself if I did something just for the paycheck. That kind of life is in the past and I am ready to move forward into the unknown.

Ah, if only I knew what Eve would do.....

The magical world of quiche!

Once again, my quiche making abilities have the crowds begging for more!! Thank you, thank you, you're far too kind!!

****and she bows to the crowd****

Enough of the dramatics...my quiche was a hit! I made the sausage and tomato quiche which I have renamed Italian Quiche. I am not sure what it is about this quiche, but once you take a bite you will know what I mean!! It might be the combination of Johnsonville Sweet Italian Sausage and mozzarella cheese swimming in cream and eggs that floats atop the buttery flaky crust....yea, that's probably it. I do have to admit I did use Emeril's recipe for the crust, but that is only because I think frozen pie crusts are for wimps. If you are going to make a quiche, do it right!!

Day 4 of Life on a Vacation:

Meet with an old friend! Friday night I met with a friend of mine that I have not seen in several years. We had a blast reliving old memories and filling each other in on our current lives, all the while laughing our heads off! Catching up with someone can give you the feeling you are somewhere else for a while, a break from the norm and maybe lets you walk in someone else's shoes for a while.

Day 5 of Life on a Vacation:

Buy something frivolous! We all do it on vacation, admit it! So why not just do it today? I found the CUTEST pair of Franco Sartos on the clearance rack. Didn't need them, but I sure will wear them!! Oh, and I found a shirt that looks perfect with them too!

Day 5 of Life on a Vacation:

Do something nice for a grandparent or other aging relative. I am not sure what it is, but something as simple as cooking brunch or a visit with your pet can really brighten someone's day. It makes you feel grateful that you have the family you do and its warming to know something so small to you can make another feel so important.

Day 6 of Life on a Vacation:

Impromptu cocktail!! What more needs to be said? It's a Monday, you don't have much going on - why not just invite a friend for a cocktail before you head home to do your mundane tasks? Even better, try a place that you have not been to in a while!

Wine, cheese, and friends!

This weekend I am going to be heading on a short road trip (life on a vacation idea #6) to see some friends, drink some wine, and nibble on some cheese. What a great way to spend a weekend if you ask me. I even get to wrap it up by spending some time with my family on Sunday.

I found 2 new quiche recipes that I am going to be trying for Sunday's brunch. One is a Quiche Lorraine and the other is a sausage tomato quiche. Just thinking about them gets me hungry! Several years ago, I made quiches for our Mothers Day brunch (I think it was 2001) and to this day we STILL make them. Let's hope my picks this year can keep up with the competition!

Have a great weekend!

Day 3 of Life on a Vacation:

Cook yourself a gourmet meal. Last night I had a filet wrapped in bacon on the grill. 2 of my favorite meats combined in one savory, juicy package! Make sure to savor each bite, even try closing your eyes and picturing yourself at your favorite out of town vacation spot!

Easier than I thought

My first few days of vacation-way-of-living are going great!

Day #1:

I took my pug for a walk down to the beach. That seemed like the perfect vacation thing to do. It was funny watching him try to walk in the sand. His paws were spread out like duck feet, and it took him a few minutes to get used to it. He wouldn't go in the water but I am fine with that because I really don't like "ode de wet dog". Ew. I only took a picture on my phone, so I don't have one to share, but I will be sure to bring my camera next time.

Day #2:

I actually did several things like I was on vacation on this day.:)

My cousin and I decided to go to Esperance for bloody marys and a late lunch. Now that is my kind of lunch!

We actually did eat lunch: I had a Proscuitto Salad, my cousin had the Esperance Salad and we split a cheese plate. Yum, yum, and YUM!! The cheese plate was out of this world! Suzanne was kind enough to ask us what kind of cheeses we liked: my taste is sharp, of course, and my cousins is creamy. We had one sharp, one creamy, and one sharp and creamy. Wow. I am still drooling.... I really wish I would have written these things down. Note to self.

We had some great conversations about book ideas, business ideas, and no lunchtime chatter would be complete without: wine, chocolate, cheese & my beloved bacon.

Now, a day with a vacation attitude would not be complete if you didn't go and enjoy the outdoors a bit. We grabbed the "hunting pug", hopped in the car with my cousins husband and headed for the woods for the legendary moral mushrooms!

First thing you need to do when hunting, is get the "sniffer" going so he can be a guide to the next patch of shrooms:

Now it was time for the big hunt and Puggie was ready to go deep in the woods to find the prized game!

He had quite an impressive day and by the end of it, he was all tuckered out..... but he found plenty of morels...or morals. You say tomAto, I say tomato.

It keeps coming back to me

Back in August of 2008 when I first started this blog, I had sent some of my friends an email with 3 simple questions, assuming they know everything about me except for what I do for a living. There is just something about this list that just keeps gnawing at me..... and I am going to start listening.

1. List 3 industries that you could picture me working in

Public Relations

Interior Design, or something creative

Head hunting

Catering

Business Entertainment

Something in the arts

fashion

entertainment - movies/music

education

Travel/tourism

Art

Interior Designer

Graphic Artist

Stylist (hair/makeup/clothing etc)

Adult Entertainment

Pharmaceuticals

Employee placement

2. List 3 talents that you think I have

Communicating on the right level - I guess knowing your audience

Organization

Artistic

artist and detail orientated

hard working and being able to take control of a project

being able to think out of the box

quick wit

motivating

driven

Creative/innovative

Ability to think on your feet

Strong attention to detail

Extremely Creative

Ability to pay attention to detail

Good at visualizing (seeing possibilities that others may not see)

3. List 3 creative jobs that do not require prior experience

Writing literature

party planning

something in advertising

sales

public speaking

personal assistant

Designer

Writing literature (aren't you doing that)

Scrapbooking expert?

Porn Star

Teacher/Instructor

Art Gallery Owner

However....I am pretty sure Porn Star is not going to be on my next business card.

A quickie and something sticky.....

A quickie.....

Almost too quick if you ask me. Resume guy sent me an email to let me know he has some proofs for me to review. This guy must have been really paying attention during our first meeting, because I don't know how he could have pulled it together in just a few days. But then again, HE is the professional, not I. If I like his work, I will of course post contact details. Because you never know when you will be in the market for an investment in yourself and your future. Trust me, you are SO worth it!

and something sticky....

Last week my Dad said something truly profound that has stuck to me like a hot glue gun bedazzles a sweatshirt.

"She thinks she's on a vacation up here."

Yes, he is referring to me and, yes, I admit it, I am. But why not? Think about it. Why should we live like drones working ourselves away to nothing? Where exactly does that get us? You work yourself so hard everyday to get 2 or 3 weeks of "vacation" per year? Well, that doesn't seem to be enough if you ask me.

Vacation: A period of time devoted to pleasure, rest, or relaxation, especially one with pay granted to an employee.

(vacation. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved May 05, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary1.classic.reference.com/browse/vacation)

Now why would you not want to live that way EVERY day? I think vacation should be an attitude or state of mind, if you will, not a time frame rationed out by your employer at his or her convenience. Try sitting and reading a book for an hour, make a tasty margarita, go visit a local museum, dust off your camera and go on a photo shoot in your own backyard! Really, who says you can't be on vacation if you don't actually go anywhere?

In honor of my new vacation state of mind, I am going to start posting my "vacation" activities for a week. I think you should try it too. Make sure you share with me so others can get ideas too. Let's just have one GIANT vacation, 365 days a year!!!

Bon Voyage!!!

Good news is...well...good news!

Not only did I achieve my 2 goals from last week, I actually finished 2 chapters of Life's a Bitch including the written excercises! Although I slightly feel like I am doing "homework", it was actually a great venting session for me when it comes to my former career. Hm, maybe I can come up with a cool symbol for that like Prince did. Formerly known as.... an artist stuck in the body of an accountant. Or is it accountant stuck in the body of an artist? It could be a palette in the shape of a bean...well, that's weird, it already is.

Anyhow, I wanted to give a few details on my new project. I am now going to be working in the Sales & Marketing Dept of a software company, and I am calling my title: Director of Schmoozing and Shenanagens, or, if you don't have a weak stomach, Director of Anal Probing. My job will be to contact our customers and "take their temperature" so to speak. Ask them 20 questions and try to solve their problems in a phone conversation. Ok, well not really, but at least try and give them some direction.

What a great position to be in while I am still trying to figure out my life's work.

Onto Chapter 3, Pinpoint the Good! This is my next chapter in Life's a Bitch. I am ready to unleash some positive thoughts, and I will post the ones worth sharing.

Live out Loud!