Awkward and Awesome Thursday

I feel like I have so much to do today, but I made sure to pencil in "Blog" on my to-do list!

Awkward:

• Having to put my blog on my "to-do" list.  I'm OCD with lists.  I've been known to make lists of lists.  
• My mother's aversion to potato chips when eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  According to her "they just don't go together," but if she's eating a turkey sandwich, pass the chips.  She's the queen of "rules" when it comes to what goes together and what doesn't.  
• Last weekend I was at Dave and Buster's for a blind date.  (Luckily a friend was setting me up so she and her boyfriend were there, but nonetheless, awkward).  As I was waiting to meet him, this girls waves at me.  I looked at her with confusion, and may have said out loud, "I don't think you know me."  Ummm, yeah, it was one of my good friend's sisters that I have gone out with multiple times.  Oops!  In my defense I was very preoccupied.  
• While at Dave and Buster's we saw this guy (in very tight pants) stretching in order to get ready to play a dancing game.  
• My friend getting "hit on" literally.  This guy turned to my friend, asked her what her name was, blah blah blah.  Then 15 minutes later, he hit her on the arm to get her attention and said "Sorry for hitting on you earlier."  He hit her again and said, "now I'm really hitting on you."  The really awkward part is that he was an otherwise good looking guy.  
• The other night I was waiting on a table that was on a first date.  In the beginning, it was clearly not going well as she was on her cell phone and he was on his ipad (which had a stand and one of the roll-up keyboards).  I also caught her texting under the table like she was 15, probably telling her friends she didn't need an escape route.  Eventually things turned around for them since they stayed for 3 hours!

Awesome:

• Laughing til you cry.  I mean I was literally crying.  Is is awkward that I was laughing that hard at my own joke?  
• J.R. Martinez.  If you don't watch Dancing with the Stars, well you should so you can see J.R.  He was in a Humvee accident while serving in Iraq, and sustained burns on 40% of his body.  He was then cast in All My Children. He is a real life hero that is so inspirational!  And a great dancer to boot!
• H&M is officially OPEN in Denver, CO!!  I guess people started lining up last night for the grand opening.  Don't get my wrong, H&M is great, but no way am I dealing with the crowds.  I'll wait a few weeks.
• Rick Perry forgetting the 3rd component of his economic plan during the debate last night.  I have no words other than HA HA HA!!!

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

Well lucky for you, I decided to get a life other than work so I actually have some awkward and awesome moments to share!

Awkward:

• When I was at work the other night (during a very busy rush) the bartender asked me to open a screw-top wine bottle.  Was I able to open it?  Nope.  Did I end up wasting more time than if the bartender had just opened it himself?  Yep.  Glad I can help.
• The many blonde moments I've been having lately like forgetting to clock out.  I didn't realize it til I got to the car so I headed back inside, but the restaurant had already closed so I had to knock on the window so someone could let me back it.  Humiliating.  I blame it on my new blonde highlights.
• Tebowing, especially when you're trying to explain it to someone.  There really is no way to explain it other than to get down and demonstrate.

• Setting off your car alarm in a very public parking lot.  It's ok everyone, it's my car I swear!
• Being called "ma'am."  Please refrain from calling me ma'am until I'm at least 30.
• Realizing you're about to run into old high school friends while in a bathroom stall.  I heard a few girls talking and instantly knew who it was and debated saying hi while still in the stall but thought that might be a little too awkward.  Saying hi at the sinks was awkward enough haha.

Awesome:

• Red Velvet Cheesecake brownies.  They are seriously to die for.  I could probably eat the whole pan, but then we would have another awkward moment on our hands.  Get the recipe here!

• Dressing up like my general manager.  I had to work halloween and someone came up with the idea of dressing up like our GM.  It gave me an excuse to wear jeans and a hat so I was totally on board!
• The most delicious steak dinner!  Great food, great wine, great friends!  
• When I was downtown the other night my friend and I realized we were at different bars right across the street from one another.  It was too crazy to go say hi so we each went on the balcony and waved hi to each other!  So fun!
• Seeing my dog passed out on my bed, snoring away!  He melts my heart!
• My mom's baked spaghetti.  She got the recipe from my cousin-in-law and it is so freaking delicious.  I'll try to post the recipe soon!  

buddha brain: take in the good

WEEK 1 Recap:

During week one of my "Buddha Brain" challenge, I tried to "be for myself" but it didn't always work out.  There were many instances where I did what I wanted to do, and said no when I didn't want to do something.  However, it's difficult sometimes to get out of certain situations.  

For instance, on Saturday night, (after working a busy night) I met up with some friends.  I was exhausted and just not in the mood to deal with the madness that was downtown Denver.  However, I had said I would go.  I wanted to leave before the bars closed because I knew things would get crazy (and boy did they) but I didn't feel comfortable walking 8 blocks to my car on Halloween weekend so I ended up staying out much longer than I would have liked.  In retrospect, I should have called a cab to take me to my car, but hindsight is 20/20.  And since I didn't get out of the city early enough, I witnessed a very disturbing incident that left me very upset.  

Long story short, a fight broke out near LoDo's downtown.  I saw it going on, so I ran down the street to get out of the way.  Unfortunately, I didn't go far enough and ended up getting pushed by one of the guys.  He then proceeded to sucker-punch an innocent guy who was just sitting in his car with the window down.  He knocked him square in the face and I definitely heard bones cracking, before getting the heck out of there.  Needless to say, I should have "been for myself" and then I could have avoided the situation, but you live and learn, which leads me to week 2.

WEEK 2 Challenge: Take in the Good.

Essentially this just means rather than reflect and dwell on every negative event like we so often do, be mindful of the good ones.  Our brains react more to a negative stimulus that an equally intense positive one so we much change the way our brain reacts to positive stimuli.  By taking in the good, and visualizing it sinking into you you can change the makeup of your brain and how you react to positive experiences. Like Rick Hanson writes, " It's like sitting down to a meal- don't just look at it, taste it.

Also, be aware of any reluctance you have to a positive event such as thinking you don't deserve it, or feeling guilty for feeling happiness.  Let yourself experience positive events and feel good about them.

Over the weekend I was so concerned about being out too late, and how crazy downtown was that I didn't take time to enjoy the good parts like all the great costumes and being with friends.