On The American Dream

Listening to election returns I got fired up by the discussion of “independent poll” results reporting that 40 some odd percent of Americans (with landline phones, don't get me started) no longer believe in the American Dream.

Fellow Americans: The dream is still right there waiting for you to achieve it!

The American Dream is not a birthright, it's an opportunity. Attaining it requires the same ingenuity and tenacity shown by the earliest of immigrants to this land.

If you want a better life than your parents you have to work harder and smarter than they did. The opportunities for education & advancement are abundant and ripe for the taking, but they will not fall in your lap. You have to stand up, reach out and stake your claim on them.

#SoCruise 2010

Social Fresh Cruise is back! This year we're sailing from New Orleans to Cozumel on December 2nd. As you can see, last year's event was amazing & I couldn't wait to sign up again. As it turns out nearly everyone who attended last year has signed up again. It really was THAT much fun!

Interested in going yourself this year? I have a limited number of invite codes remaining... just ask!

Are You Hands On?

It seems there are a lot of us thinking about starting up small businesses. Maybe you already have?  Well, youʼre not the only one.

Kirtsy.com has teamed up with the cool, smart people at Microsoft Office Live to do 100 Hands On Small
Business sessions in October and November.  The free hands-on sessions will offer practical advice and instruction in using online and social media solutions to help small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Charlotte sessions will be held October 5, 14, 21, 28 and November 4 at different locations across the city, and facilitated by yours truly & Crystal Dempsey.

No Mumus in Mexico

With #SoCruise a mere 59 days away, it's time to get my butt in gear, cause there will be no mumus in Mexico!

Normally, I'm not too concerned with my appearance. At 32 I've accepted that I peaked physically at 19 and one's body can only be 19 once. My body does everything I ask of it, I'm quite comfortable in my skin. However, when planning a vacation with approx. 200 of the most connected people in social media, I can't help but think there is room for improvement. I mean, for every picture I avoid being in, another 3 will wind-up on Flickr, Facebook & Twitpic for all the world to see.

So here's what I'm starting with: just under 5'7", 150lbs & one iffy knee. At 1" taller and 5lbs. heavier than when I graduated high school (though the fat/muscle ratio is nothing like it was) I don't have any major weight-loss goals in mind. I just feel like I could be better, faster, stronger... (ooo! time for some Daft Punk!)

Since my fave personal trainer is pre-occupied with the business of creating life this fall and can inflict her usual torture (and by that I mean questioning my ability to operate a motor vehicle after a mere hours workout), I had to find an alternate method of kickstarting my regime. So this past Saturday I started Fitness Together's Boot Camp at the US National Whitewater Center. Eventhough my workout had to be modified because me knee decided to take the day off, trainers Jeff & Joe made sure I still got more than my money's worth (Only $15 a week). It's Monday and my quads, hams, glutes, pecs, triceps & biceps are still reminding me we had an awesome workout this weekend! Best of all is, this is the kind of workout you can do at home. No equipment, no spotting, just you.

These are my fave workouts. No planning, no prepping, no clean-up, and they can be broken down and used throughout the day. Like last night while watching the season finale of Defying Gravity, I spent the commercial breaks doing wall sits or planks. It's nothing major, but it keeps the blood pumping and, well, anything is better than just sitting there for an hour.

So, the plan is to build a better me. Not because I'm ashamed or embarrassed by what I am today. Or to look good in a bikini (my Victorian sensibilities would never allow such displays of self). I honestly doubt that I'll even put a swimsuit on. My place is with books not pool boys, and books can get heavy, so I need to buff up.

David Lean (Alec Guinness) Week

Without forethought my movie watching has taken a decided theme this week, the combined work of David Lean and Alec Guinness. 

One of my all time favorite movies. I can't remember the first time I watched it, but I must have been around age 10. Lawrence of Arabia is one of Dad's faves, so it was always in the rainy Saturday rotation and one of those movies that popcorn was popped for and no one spoke a word. It still inspires a certain level of awe in me. The cinematography and visual impact of such vast expanses of desert draw me in every time.

Another of Dad's top ten - I stared watching this one early in life too. Though very very loosely based on history (The History Channel did a great piece available here), this film has great human drama. Man conquering nature, man conquering man, a little Stockholm Syndrome and William Holden in a swim suit.

Mmm Forester, Guinness & Lean... actually I could do without the Guinness here. he sticks out like a cauliflowered ear. But the scenery, the subtly of Judy Davis' performance, the passion of Victor Banerjee's and the counterpoint of Peggy Ashcroft steal the show anyway.

Some other David Lean films that are equally intoxicating:

Great Expectations
Doctor Zhivago
The Bounty (Lean was the original director, but had to abandon the project before completion)