Saturday, September 05, 2009

Awesomesauce

I have two choices before me right now.

Choice the First: I could write about all the things that are SERIOUSLY frustrating me at work, including the fact that I'm so ridiculously busy just trying to keep my head above water with my three different curricula that I can't find any time to blog, which would lead into horrible complaints and whining about how I never have time to blog anymore and I'm so sorry that I've let you all down and won't you please forgive me and keep reading even though I'm never around?

Yeah, you've all read those posts from me before. They're no fun. Plus, writing about all the horrible work frustrations isn't going to make any of them any better - in fact, it will only make them worse by bringing them into sharper focus on this lovely three-day weekend when I would really like to NOT be thinking about my work frustrations.

Choice the Second: I could focus on more positive aspects of life and write about them instead.

I like this idea much better.

A few weeks ago I discovered (unfortunately, I cannot, at this moment, recall where I discovered, or I would give due credit) a fabulous blog called 1000 Awesome Things. Every day (actually, I think it's every weekday) a new "awesome thing" shows up as a post in my feed reader, and they almost always make me smile, because they really are awesome. Some of my favorites include:

#691: When you flip to a radio station just as a song you love is starting
#720: The final seconds of untangling a really big knot
#918: When you're really tired and about to fall asleep and someone throws a blanket on you

Seriously, though? Choosing just a few favorites to highlight here is tough, because the vast majority really do make you go, "Yeah, that IS awesome!" Reading that blog always makes me smile, which is nice, because who couldn't use more reasons to smile in life?

So today, I'm doing my own version in something I like to call...

Lara's List O' Awesomesauce
(in no particular order)

#1: Feeling bummed about a commercial break, only to find your favorite commercial coming on

Have you seen this commercial? I LOVE that commercial more than I can explain to rational people. And when I'm in the middle of a really exciting TV show, and it cuts to commercial, the only thing that can cheer me up is when the first thing I hear is "Ice cream and cake and cake!" Awesome!

#2: When the guy at Starbucks knows how to make your "regular" without asking

One could easily see this as a sign of overindulgence, but I see it as a sign of AWESOME.

#3: Going to the football game and having people excited to see you

It's a bit nerve-wracking to head to the first football game of the season, because you know that the routines of last year - where people sat each week, who were the regulars, etc. - may all have changed by now. But you go walking in, find a seat, and before you know it, folks have started coming up to say hello and chat with you. Suddenly the game is over, your school won by a landslide, and you spent the entire time in conversation with friends. Awesome!

#4: Smiling at a baby and having her smile back at you

There's no telling what goes on in the infant mind, but smiling at a baby is like a game of chance. Will the baby frown? Cry? Shriek mercilessly until you run away in shame? Who knows? But once in a while, you smile at a coworker's adorable little girl, and after a short pause wherein you hold your breath and hope, she gives a big ol' toothless grin back. Awesome!

#5: Turning off the alarm before you go to bed, because tomorrow's not a work day

Need I say more? Awesome!

#6: Waking up with the alarm, but knowing that instead of work, you get to go see friends at church

And, as if the friends weren't enough in themselves, there is also free coffee and (once a month) donuts. A yummy bunch of awesome!

#7: Getting compliments on an outfit you just weren't sure about

There you are, staring into the mirror, wondering if those pants really work with that top. You've already changed three times, and if you take the time to change again, you risk being late to work. So you run out the door, get in the car, and drive all the way to work wondering if you look like a horrible fashion Don't. Stressed and frantic, you dash into your morning meeting and run into your boss. "Wow," she says, "you look great today! I love that top, and your shoes go great." Awesome!

#8: Starting out your workday with an hour of swing dancing

Maybe you wouldn't find this awesome, but I do. Thursday mornings, Ballroom Dance is my first class, and after 55 minutes of swing, I am ready to face the day with about three times the energy I had before class started. Awesome!

#9: Busting out with trivia no one ever expected you to know

Suddenly, people who already respected you respect you even more. Awesome!

#10: Checking your email and finding it filled with comment notifications on your latest blog post

Hint, hint... Awesome!


So there you go - ten awesome things I've been noticing in my life lately. There are more, believe me, but you really only needed a sample to get you going. Now tell me about the awesome goings-on in your own lives, so that we can all share a taste of the AWESOMESAUCE.

14 comments:

Monique said...

Awesome post! I am totally following the 1000 Awesome ppl on twitter now.

Mrs. Chili said...

This is IT! My next Ten Things Tuesday topic! Thanks, Lara; you really ARE awesome!

Lisa said...

This post: AWESOME!
Your outfits: VERY awesome!!!
That blog (that I am now going to follow): Awesome!
:)

unmitigated me said...

That first outfit, with the layered tops? I seriously making me roll around in a fit of jealousy. I can never wear layers because I get too damn warm. Gorgeous on you, though.

unmitigated me said...

Another comment from me! Did I mention that I quit my job? I quit my job. Currently looking...

Ms. Skywalker said...

Ahh, someone new to stalk on Twitter. :)

BetteJo said...

I have another bit of awesome for YOU!

Knowing you're not as busy or crazy as you would have been if you were teaching French!

Lara said...

Bette Jo - You are SO RIGHT! That IS awesome! :)

Big Sis said...

Thanks. I needed another awesome thing to keep me (okay, make me) positive.

bernthis said...

I love this idea:

awesome: Getting to swim in the pool in a lane all by myself

spending time with a friend who has moved to SF but returned with her family to L.A. for the weekend

seeing one of my oldest friends tomorrow who is visiting with her family from NYC

That is a lot of awesomeness for one day

tali said...

I feel you on when you're not sure about an outfit and then you get compliments. For me it's more that I'm completely convinced that I look bleh and then someone tells me they love my [pants, top, hair, whatever]. Definitely awesome!

Sandra said...

Love Lara's awesomesauce. Yay you.

Good luck with the work stress - pouring this awesomesauce allllll over it I hope helped.

Profesora de espaƱol said...

"Awesomesauce" is officially my new favorite word! And your outfits are ALWAYS AWESOME!

Clair said...

Awesome post, and great outfits. I envy your shoe collection.