Tag: happiness

Gauntlet Week = Halloween Edition

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Two days down for our crazy week ahead. Not gonna lie… I”m exhausted. I miss my energy from my 20’s . It would be greatly appreciated at this time. I’ve worked from 9:30am – 12am most nights and survived the downtown trick or treat event where over 500 came through here.

Some people’s kids… are assholes. Most people’s kids are friggin awesome. I don’t blame the kiddos. Once I saw their parents behavior … I was like.. yeah that tracks! I’m kinda bossy ( and a former teacher) so I don’t let those kids get away with shit. But let me tell you… the amount of fucking adults I had to turn away because they were trying to get the kid’s candy was insane. WTF you are grown ass adult …let these kids have their fun. I’m not talking about kids trick or treating at 16. I am all for teenagers trick or treating. I’m talking about dumb ass adults…. so lame. However, I did give an adult some candy because she dressed the whole family as Coraline characters and it was fucking impressive as hell. That lady deserved some Skittles.

Unfortunately, I did not plan it well and did run out of candy 40 min before the event was over. I felt so so bad for them. Some of them were sad and it broke my heart. I even bought 100 extra light up rings and we still didn’t have enough. To be honest, I did give extra candy and trinkets to a little girl dressed as “Boo” from Monsters Inc. She looked EXACTLY like her!!! Disney needs to hire this girl immediately for a live version of the film. It was crazy! I couldn’t help it.. she deserved more cool stuff. She was around 4 and so stinking cute.

So it’s Sunday, we have our business open plus we have a class and event today. Then it’s a week of fucking chaos as we head into the weekend. We have a HUGE amount of tours, we’re giving two different talks this week, and we have 3 events. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been fun … just hella tired.

What’s been really fun is meeting people that come in and know everything about the business- who we are , what we do. They follow us on social media, subscribed to our YouTube, and watch our livestreams. They come in so excited and ready to ask a million questions… I love it. It really makes us feel good to see people so excited to come see us.

Sorry, I just got distracted because a car drove by our location blasting its radio… the only thing is… it was Madonna’s “La Isla Bonita”. I haven’t heard that song in AGES!! Holy shit …I forgot about that song actually.

What are you all doing for Halloween? Are you dressing up? Going to a party? Are you going to a haunted house? Do you have any Halloween traditions? I’ll be working all weekend so I want to live vicariously through your Halloween plans! Plus I always LOVE hearing what your costumes and what events you’re going to. Let me know in the comments.

Bye everyone! Hope you have a relaxing and/or fun Sunday!

2027 Album of the Year

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The Grammy’s the coveted award that the majority of musicians, songwriters, producers, and artists strive to achieve. As 2026 is on the last turn to finish out the year, I’d like to make a prediction that I. myself am surprised to say. Olive Rodrigo will most likely sweep the Grammy’s or at least win “Album Of The Year”

If you would have asked me two years ago if Olivia would be in a Grammy position, I would have said no. Not because she isn’t talented… she is extremely talented but it was her team. Bad decisions left and right. Just let the girl write her own shit. I gotta be honest, I was tired of her music sounding like so many other artists songs. From Taylor Swift, Paramore, Elvis Costello, David Byrne, The Breeders… and so on. There was just a mess that her team was leading her in to with the last two albums. It was frustrating to watch. The money this girl lost on her first album because of copyrights is kinda wild. Her team let her down and I was losing hope that it would stunt her growth as an artist.

Then Rodrigo’s third album “You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love” hits the scene. I was hesitant…I’m so glad I gave it a whirl. This album is fantastic. Her writing contributions make it a solid album. Orchestrations… perfect. This is an album loaded with hits and I believe it will get its flowers at the Grammy’s in 2027. This year, so far, Rodrigo has a clear path to take it … unless someone surprise releases something by the end of the year. Even if Taylor Swift releases “Debut (Taylor’s Version)” … which is rumored to happen by the end of the year… I don’t think she’s gonna come close to Rodrigo’s “YSPSFAGSIL”

Some of my favorites from this album: Drop Dead, Stupid Song, Honeybee, The Cure, Expectations, What’s Wrong With Me Cigarette Smoke, Less, and Begged. Keep in mind.. this is almost the whole album and the ones I didn’t list aren’t bad either. They are pretty damn good. The Stand Out songs for me are: Stupid Song, Honeybee, and Expectations. These songs are a combo of great song writing, great arrangements, great producing, and great performance from Rodrigo in her range, talent, and emotion.

The chorus in “Stupid Song” is absolute perfection and I am obsessed with it actually. It doesn’t leave my brain and every time I hear it I cry, I sing out, and it also makes me feel like an electric charge just zaps my system. Brilliant arrangement on this one too.

“Expectations”. I loved this song my first listen. Then as of last night, she dropped a remix with Chappell Roan and I didn’t know that I needed a remix of this song. Chappell”s voice and spunk gives it an extra twist and kick that wasn’t needed… but damn it’s much appreciated. Normally, I’m never a fan of a remix collab. “Bad Guy” with Billie Eilish & Justin Bieber… that mix almost ruined the original for me. Two talented people but a remix that didn’t need to happen. Rodrigo & Roan (which sounds like a 70’s Cop Show) hit this remix hard and bring a lot of fun to the track. The video is pretty great too!

“Honey Bee”. This fucking song. I can’t even listen to it without becoming a puddle on the floor. From the first note… it launches you into memories and a time when you first fell in love and then it drags your heart across the asphalt with the chorus to rub it in on how much true love can hurt yet reminds you how beautiful that feeling is or was. By the last time the chorus comes around, I am fucking done. Just when you think … nah that doesn’t hurt anymore, I’m good now… this song gives you a karate chop to the heart and a swift kick in the ass that will Hotwire your memories and take them for a joy ride… which leads you back to “Stupid Song”.

Well played Olivia. Well played.

I’m so impressed with this album. I’m proud of Rodrigo and her growth as an artist. I’m proud of how she takes her popularity and platform and does good hearted things with it. The artistry in the writing, the direction of her music videos, the thought that has gone into her stage show…. She is impressive.

A 2027 Grammy (or a collection of them) will be well deserved.

A tropical storm and hurricane walk into a bar….

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Screenshot from weather channel

Well… it’s not that often (especially in Arizona) that we can say that we are keeping a close eye on the weather as Tropical Storm Rachel and Hurricane Simon are moving towards us. Normally, I would welcome the cooler temps, light rain, and thunderstorms. Any crazy weather California and Mexico receive always makes it beautiful in our neck of the woods… or should I say desert? Unfortunately, especially during this time of year, this weather is wreaking havoc on our work. Over $1500 from guests have already been moved to different dates because they are worried about rain ruining their plans. Some guests are just hanging in there in hopes that our ever-changing weather will cooperate. I’ve seen all late morning and early afternoon rescheduling clients or talking to them over the phone.

This hurricane season is chaos. When have you ever seen so many hurricanes or tropical storms hanging out in the Pacific Ocean?? So wild. It’s crazy when all 3 weather apps give you complete opposite information on the weather. I’ve said it before…Why the hell to do we have weather people if they can only tell us when it’s raining as it’s raining?? It’s like… Thanks Captain Obvious for the heads up! Looking at the weather today on all three apps, it goes from a “light rain” to ” hurricane winds and flooding”. I’m traumatized by these forecasts. It’s like being in some sort of twisted love triangle with someone that says they love you and then repeatedly treats you like you are disposable garbage. Make up your fucking mind weather person… am I gonna need to sandbag locations and work through heavy winds or is the clouds going to spit on me a bit? What are we doing here… throw me a bone why don’t you. Better yet, can all of you weather apps get on the same page for crying out loud? It’s like one of you gave your forecast and the others are just saying the opposite just so they can have a 50-50 chance of being correct. That is wild.

Also, random side note, I saw a ghost last night while cleaning our new location. Yes. We knew it was haunted BUT have I ever saw something with my own eyes there… nope … not in the 2 years I’ve been going in and out of that place at all times of the day. I was washing my hands at the sink, looked up in the mirror (and just like a fucking horror film ) this woman was behind me. Needless to say… I was a bit startled. I tried every which way to debunk what I saw but I couldn’t. I saw a young woman in a white dress, with a belt around her waist, and long auburn hair. You bet I’m going to look through records and photos of everyone that has lived at that location to see if I see this woman. I definitely was not surprised to see her but I also was surprised. I dunno…. I have mixed feelings about it I guess. Tonight we will be going back with some staff to see if we run into her again. Crazy weather partnered with the veil thinning this time of year… sounds like a fun Friday night to me!

Well, I have a group of teens that just walked into our gift shop and a lot of these crazy kiddos have sticky fingers downtown …. not all .. but most. We always get stickers, pins, crystals, jewelry, randomly missing after they leave. hahaha! Crazy ass kids. On a brighter note, we always get the bands that come into town to play at the music venues. It’s always fun meeting them. One time, they brought us some toe tags and signed them. It was such a sweet gesture. I love when they come in and tour the place and buy our stickers to put on their tour bands and vans. So fun!

Ok.. babbled enough…

I hope you all are doing well and that you aren’t getting horrible weather with everything going on. Everyone stay safe, have fun, and have a great weekend!

Pleasure & Pain

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I was deep in thought with my peach green tea today (while I was scrolling through The Weather Channel app) and I got so excited to see the cooler temps coming up with the potential of a few days of off and on rain. As I opened the radar to look at the weather at a wider glance, I soon realized that the cause for our soon-to-be beautiful weather is cause by other parts of the country having absolutely chaotic and destructive weather. When I was looking in my own bubble, all seemed well… but taking a wider look at things showed me the cause and effect that never crossed my mind at that moment. I was just excited to bring a sweater to work or to open my windows at night. Instant gratification blinds us sometimes. On your path, everything could. look amazing but looking down the path behind you.. could be a lot of destruction some that could possibly take years for that area to heal.
It’s crazy that one persons pleasure could be the cause or effect of another’s pain. The ying & yang of life is truly wild. While you’re celebrating your promotion, someone else is going home to tell their spouse that they have to keep their day job. While you’re celebrating your big wedding day with family and friends, someone could be wandering around the mall heartbroken that they lost the love of their life. Damn… life is crazy.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s totally cool to celebrate the wins in life. Hell … it’s rare we get them, right?
I just can’t help to feel a LITTLE bit of guilt being happy about something knowing that it could be effecting someone else so differently. It kinda takes the wind out of my sails a bit.
In my current situation, we have a chance to expand our business. It’s a good deal, they sought us out but the kicker is, this was a friend of ours location that they lost. So.. it’s hard to get excited knowing a friend of yours has lost a business that they loved and cared about for 14 years. They definitely lost it, they can’t take care of it, they sort of fled the location… but still my heart hurts for them.
Good things are happening but they are also scary because of all responsibilities that could be coming our way. Are we able to handle of it? Can we handle running a historic location with a lot of landscaping duties… this is an area I know nothing about. I can’t tell you how many plants I’ve deceased. I once killed $130 of carpet roses (ones that are suppose to be indestructible). Totally killed them in 4 days.
Also.. irrigation.. I don’t understand and can not comprehend how all that works. I feel incredibly overwhelmed with stress and I want to feel excited. I truly do.
There are so many opportunities and my mind just wants to focus on the welfare of certain people in my life. I want them to be safe and happy and most importantly healthy. Life is coming at us so quickly… and its full ups and downs. I guess all we can do is hold on and hold on to each other as tight as we can through it all. I just want to see the one’s I love be happy and to feel loved as much as possible.
We just gotta be here for each other through the pleasure and the pain.


Rainy Day Schedule …(and an update)

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There has been a sudden change in plans for today. The weather has decided it wants to play hard ball and give us a little rain this evening. This means… our evening tour is cancelled and moved to a different day, it’s going to be a very slow day at the shop, and I will get to close at 7pm tonight instead of gettin home after 10pm. So it’s going to be an afternoon of chillaxin’ here at the shop and the most exciting thing that may happen down here is watching the skateboarders fly around the sidewalks. I gotta figure out what to do with my time because this may be a very long 3 hours. Although it sucks for business, I do love this kind of weather. It’s my favorite actually. When the sun goes down it’s going to be awesome out and it will feel a little like fall.

I can see the wind picking up a bit and it just makes me happy. I’d be happy with light rain, the kind you can walk around in, and some good lightening and thunder. Although my one cat is terrified of thunder, the other one loves sitting in my window and watching the storms. When I was in my late teens and early 20’s, I would just get something to drink and go find an dimly lit and empty parking lot, turn on some good tunes, recline my seat back a bit and just enjoy the lightening. It was such an endorphin boost!
Maybe I’ll do that this evening? Give my mind and soul a little reset and boost. That sounds fun.

Well… today I’ve already spent the late morning and early afternoon dealing with some heavy business decisions with the direction we are taking next. Plus discussing Taylor Swift’s new Encore album dropping on Friday… because that is a very important topic around here. Now… I dunno? Clean the windows? Clean out my inbox? Make content? Or just veg out, drink coffee, and chill at the front desk. A Rainy Day schedule always throws a day for a loop.


What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day schedule?

A WTF UPDATE:

Ok it’s 3 hours later and let me just say… what the hell weather channel? Why can’t you “weather” people pull it together?? You have a 50/50 chance of being right and you fucked it up today. We cancelled everything for tonight and it didn’t rain one drop. Why on earth did I trust you?

Damn it.

I’m too trusting and believe people at their word. Story of my life. 🙄

On A Rainy Day

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Ms. Shirley Manson said it best “I’m only happy when it rains”. Maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but I do love a good rainy day. I had a brunch meeting before my work day started and I ran out my door without any packing any food or snacks for the day. I didn’t even time for coffee!
Ugh I know … it’s criminal.

A cloudy day downtown

It’s so hard to get out of bed on a rainy day. I could have easily fell back asleep for another couple hours. There is just something about the feel, the smell, the color palette of a rainy good rainy day. Since I drug my ass all morning, I ultimately was running late and had to haul ass out the door to even make it on time for the meeting. Rainy days usually means it’s going to be a slow business days. So… for the next four hours it will be just me, music, and some catching up on computer work. I’m not mad it.

Before you start saying… “hey your work doesn’t pay you to just slack off and hang out”. My answer to that is … of course not.. what am I a congressman? Also, I co-own the business so everyone relax. It’s perfectly normal for me to work and then wander off for coffee, a good gluten free muffin, artisan soaps, jewelry … or just shooting the shit with the neighboring businesses. Sometimes I’m here for 12 hours between working the desk to running an event… it’s a long friggin’ day so LAY OFF!! hahaha!
But today… there isn’t many people wandering around and it’s pretty quiet. I tried to get my son to stop by after his shift at the bakery but even he was like…”meh.. I’m going to the library.” Man… even the library is more exciting than what’s going on over here.

Rainy days are meant for cozy blankets, a comfy space, a good movie or album, some tea or coffee, and a slice of pie or a good piece of pumpkin sourdough with lots of butter. I would say soup.. but we aren’t there yet. The temps are still too high for all that but in a month it will be grilled cheese & tomato soup time. Although… it was 102 and I had a grilled cheese on jalapeño sourdough. Not gonna lie.. it’s was pretty damn good. There is just something about purchasing sandwiches or a loaf of sourdough from a local bakery that just tastes better.

What are. your rainy go-to activities? Do you enjoy a rainy day?

Well, I’m gonna actually get some work done but I’m wishing you all the best.
Have a great day!

Happiness… what brings you happiness?

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Life is so topsy turvy. It’s hard to see the good sometimes (there is so much shit going on with some horrid people running around the earth) but I make an effort to get up in the morning and TRY to see the good. If not.. I will lose my fucking mind. Anyone else feel like we are in a bad Netflix mini series?
I mean.. what the actual fuck?
So what is happiness? What makes you focus on the good and not plummet into the bell jar?
For me, a good night’s sleep is worth everything. If I’m not sleeping well, I get super crabby the first day and I will cry the second day. After a very crazy summer of small business survival, calling the cops on a crazy obsessed stalker weirdo, a social media blow up for our business, lots of meetings with the city, revelations on the next step in business, and getting ready for our busy season… the last three months have been a whirlwind.
These past two days, I have been happy, lighter, more relaxed. I’ve been getting some great sleep (microdosing has been my saving grace). Since I’m an incredible light weight, that tiny dose knocks me out from 8 to 10 hours. Today I woke up at 7:30am, did some social media marketing, worked out, showered, had a cup of coffee with breakfast, got ready and checked in at work. Luckily, Tuesdays are typically my day off. I got to stop in to see my son at the bakery and grabbed an iced tea and then headed home to light some candles and do some computer work. Can I just say… I LOVE living in a small downtown. There is nothing like my little downtown area and the people there. It brings me great joy to stroll into the coffee shop before going to work, chatting with the locals and guests coming in excited to be there, then heading to the local bakery grabbing a treat or tea, and then driving down Main Street listening to music. It’s just… perfect in an imperfect world.
I use to be super hyper-focused on making people happy but I think for the first time in a very very long time… I want to make myself happy. Learning what makes YOU happy is a crazy feeling. You should know what makes you happy…. right?


What makes me happy lately:
Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” Podcast • Kitties/Puppies * Fresh Flowers * Great Coffee * Great Iced Tea * Simon’s Cakes * Vanilla Candles * A great chunky platform shoe * A cozy oversized sweater * My weighted stuffed bunny * A great nap * People laughing * Putting my hair in braids * Fall and everything about it * Lightening Storms * 80’s & 90’s alternative music * Anything about Taylor Swift or Tori Amos * When the feral stray cats in my apartment complex want to hang with me * A great stick of incense * videos of people getting fitted for their hearing device and hearing for the first time * videos of people surprising their kids with a Disney trip * Give me all the perfume, powders and body oil.. can’t get enough * A great fuzzy blanket on a rainy day * Turning on all the fans in my bedroom on high, climbing under the covers, and listening to my fave sleep channel on Youtube * Coloring books and art supplies * Clouds * Meteor Showers * Sitting on a patio in Sedona and just enjoying the view in the fall or spring *
a great sad song with fantastic lyrics… and last but certainly not least… my son and what an incredible person he is.

Sure… this isn’t everything but they are on the top of the list. What’s on your list? When you look at the world and everything going on… what brings you happiness and away from feeling numb to situations happening around you?

Wishing you all much happiness and I hope you are surrounded by people that unconditionally love you.
Have a great day!