Double dare or physical challenge?

If you are like me, you would probably always scream out "PHYSICAL CHALLENGE!" to Marc Summers. If you don't understand the reference or know who Marc Summers is, you were probably born after 1993. If so, good for you, I'm jealous, you have your entire life ahead of you. Advice for you born-after-1993ers: Wear sunscreen! It really works! I digress.

The phrase above is from a game show that was on Nickelodeon when I was a kid. Contestants answered trivia questions for money. If they didn't know the answer they could challenge their opponent to answer for double the money. The opponent could pass it back to the original contestant for four times the money, this is called Double Dare, if they still don't know the answer they have to take a PHYSICAL CHALLENGE! It was a brilliant show with a sassy host, Marc Summers.

So anyway, I double dare you to take the physical challenge. Yes this isn't in true form of the game, but so what! I dare you office-slinging-worker-bees to move your mouse to the same side as your least dominant hand. That's it you say?! Oh dear, innocent one, you don't understand the level of challenge I just put before you! Until you have trained yourself, it is next to impossible. I, my friends, have been doing it now for 20 days! Yup! That's right! 20 days of left-handed glory. I feel my brain flexing every time. Call me strange, call me lame, just don't call me until you've taken the challenge.

Who among you feels ready to take on the ridiculous challenge I put before you? Don't cower over there and hide under your desk, wimps! Take it on! Ok, enough silliness for now.

I didn't sign up for THIS.

And other things you might say to yourself during your twenties.

1. Who am I?
2. My bum looks great in these pants!
3. I don't know what I want, but I know it's not this.
4. I'll take IT!  (And other unapologetic exclamations whilst shopping)
5. What is my passion?
6. What do I want to be when I grow up? (I'll let you know when I figure it out.)
7. You want me to send a FAX ? But wait, I have a master's degree in English literature!
8. I wish I hadn't drank so much last night!
9. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. (It doesn't have to be!)
10. Mom will know what to do. 
11. Is this it? Am I doing enough with my life?
12. What is her deal! (And other comments on overly competitive Women.)
13. Where's my Vogue?  
14. Do I choose stability or excitement?
15. How do I decorate such a small space?
16. I'd love to see him again. I'd love to see HER again, she is so talented, smart, funny, and successful.
17. What do I want? How do I get what I want?
18. What is a 401k?
19. Who am I?
20. Should I marry him now? See here.
21. That was my promotion, why did he get it?
22. I'm exactly where I set off to be, so why don't I feel happy?
23. I love my roommate(s)/flatmate/boarder/hoarder.
24. Where have all the good cowboys gone?
25. I keep pursuing what I think I want for a profession, then change my mind and start over. Something has got to give! DID syndrome can happen to us all. And can be treated with the right support and proper planning.

I absolutely love...

...children.

I bet you didn't expect me to say that!  You probably thought I was going to say that I love the Asos White Collection. Well I love the (very sleek) white collection too! The British-based company, Asos, is offering free shipping worldwide (everywhere - for a limited time only) on their reasonably-priced pieces (and many items are on sale!!). Back to why I love children...

They are pure at heart and totally open. Adult minds are cluttered with biases. Children are open to new concepts and, most importantly, to people who are different from them.

Today I had the opportunity to teach classes in the Bronx to a group of underprivileged kids. The rambunctious group was better than any powerful, youth-infusing cream at making me feel young again. Forget La Mer  - I'll take the power of fourth and fifth graders any day.

One little girl asked the most profound question. I'd like you to picture this first: everyone else was being silly and laughing, when she quietly raised her hand to ask us this: "Do you like your jobs?" I was floored! Was she a mind reader?! I didn't even know what to say (I'm a DID after all!), so I said, "That is a very good question, thank you for taking interest in us. Our jobs are very challenging at times, but they are rewarding because we get opportunities to meet with amazing children like you."

So I stretched the truth. For all intents and purposes, I dislike my job and am working towards finding a new career, but at that moment when she asked the question I meant what I said. My company is amazing in that it allowed me the opportunity to take time out of my workday to volunteer. They encourage philanthropy and community service. Even this DID can find the positive in what she finds to be rather humdrum. I'm proud of me and hopeful.

Current feeling: Inspired. Thanks teachers of P.S. ___ you are warriors.

Happy weekend everyone!

25 things every woman should know

1. How to plan a trip and enjoy it -  alone.
2. That your dream job is...? You need to know! So that you can avoid the DID trenches.
3. Your exit line (i.e. last words) for every situation. Every woman needs a proper exit.
4. How to embrace your own vanities. Pride in your own abilities and achievements is nothing to hide.
5. That it's important to enjoy life and not worry about being perfect. Tick tick goes the clock.
6. That love like that of Vera and Vladimir Nabokov exists. She was his muse, editor, and devoted wife.
7. Whether or not you enjoy children.
8. What book you would hide and covet in a Fahrenheit 451 situation.
9. That life holds only one guarantee: NOW.
10. How to make one good cake.
11. How to age gracefully. And not to forget to thank your Mom for the good genes. Thanks Mom!
12. Your fashion muse. Mine is Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. Althought I'm not sure that Carolyn would wear this. 
13. This line from Breakfast at Tiffany's: "You could always tell what kind of person a mans thinks you are by the earrings he gives you."
14. That you should not indulge in jealousy.
15. What colors most flatter your skin tone. If you are anything like my sister, you can wear many splendid colors.
16. How to balance a checkbook, contribute to a 401K, and save for a rainy day.
17. That your self worth is not based on who likes you. Rather, it's based on whether or not you like yourself.
18. How to connect with your inner self, while remembering which side is most flattering for photos.
19. How to drive a manual- transmission vehicle. Why? For that driving trip through the alps.Trust me, if your man is anything like my city bloke, he won't know how!
20. The name of at least one fallback author for uninspired bouts at the bookstore or international departures terminal. Try Milan Kundera or Haruki Murakami.
21. To please your lover.
22. What you would do with a jackpot. Everyone needs a contingency plan. I've already won the jackpot.
23. How to enjoy the opera.
24. About Yale University's open lecture series on youtube. There is an entire lot on modern-American Novels. Amazing! And perfect for a confused Diva like me - who often needs a daytime distraction.
25. How to say yes! Yes to life, love, and flattering pants.

So tell me - what is your exit line? Who is your fashion muse? Your

Need a challenge? Participate in National Novel Writing Month

Have you ever thought about writing a novel? Stop procrastinating and join National Novel Writing Month.

National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.

Here are the ten easy steps on how to participate as provided by NaNoWriMo's website:

1) Sign up for the event by clicking the "Sign Up Now" link at the top of the site. It's right there above "National."

2) Check your email and read the ginormous email our noveling robots send you. It will have "Love" in the subject line, and may be hiding in your Junk folder.

3) Log into your account and use the links on the My NaNoWriMo page to set your timezone, affiliate with a region, and tell us a little bit about yourself.

4) Begin procrastinating by reading through all the great advice and funny stories in the forums. Post some stories and questions of your own. Get excited. Get nervous. Try to rope someone else into doing this with you. Eat lots of chocolate and stockpile noveling rewards.

5) On November 1, begin writing your novel. Your goal is to write a 50,000-word novel by midnight, local time, on November 30th. You write on your own computer, using whatever software you prefer.

6) This is not as scary as it sounds.

7) Starting November 1, you can update your word count in that box at the top of the site, and post excerpts of your work for others to read. Watch your word-count accumulate and story take shape. Feel a little giddy.

8) Write with other NaNoWriMo participants in your area. Write by yourself. Write. Write. Write.

9) If you write 50,000 words of fiction by midnight, local time, November 30th, you can upload your novel for official verification, and be added to our hallowed Winner’s Page and receive a handsome winner’s certificate and web badge. We'll post step-by-step instructions on how to scramble and upload your novel starting in mid-November.

10) Win or lose, you rock for even trying.

Remember the Goethe quote: "Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it."

Do it.