my new favorite

Last night Ken and I went to a concert at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. I have seen the band — by my calculations — at least 25 times in my life. My first show was while I was in high school. One of my favorite things in the world is to bring a great picnic, sit in the grass & watch a show.

I went early to stand in line before the gate opened.  At first, I felt a little silly.  I’m not a kid anymore.  I couldn’t help but wonder, is waiting in line for a band something a grown woman should do? [Note: last week, we waited in a line for a movie about a wizard school, so…]

But then I thought, what else is there to do in the world, but get excited.  

We should all have things in our life that are worth: 

• Getting up early for
• Staying up late to see
• Driving a long way just to spend the day
• Paying too much to experience an expert’s work
• Losing your cool to make someone laugh
• Breaking something apart to put it back together as something new.
• Crying because it makes you so happy.
• Running home to tell someone about it.

Enjoy your life.  Have a great weekend. 

in no particular order.  .  .

• i like that I’m recently engaged and building a relationship that thrills me.
• i like that I drink champagne without a special occasion needed.
• i like that my current consulting clients are also my friends.
• i like that my fiance said, “I’d like to take a break from my computer life and work with children.” always room to re-invent yourself.
• i like that I have lights on my deck that remind me of an inner-city Italian restaurant.
• i like that I have family & friends whom I adore, and I mean I adore them.  
• i like blogs with pretty things, and friends who send me magazine subscriptions (just because they know I like them).
• i like that my sister calls me on her way to work.
• i like that my parents are riveted to the Tour de France (and will be going to see it for themselves).
• i like summer. (even though it hasn’t felt much like summer in Seattle.)

Too many blessing for one person to hold. Have a good weekend!

Well, Ken is not new to me, but he is…by far, my favorite guy. 

After 7 years, my partner Ken & I are engaged.  He proposed in California over the 4th of July, and I am thrilled. 

So now I’m trying to learn how to keep & create multiple blogs that I can update:

• My New Favorite
• A new professional consulting site (TBA)
• A New Laura & Ken wedding site.  (TBA)

Advice is welcome. How do you manage multiple blogs with work, life, & love?

This 4th of July I am celebrating with my best friends from across the country in San Francisco!  Tonight we will celebrate with Malini & Garrett’s wedding in Joaquin Miller Park. I can’t wait. 

My new favorite list — the Berkeley edition:

Favorite Couple:

Places to stay in Berkeley: 

Hotel Shattuck Plaza. The rooms are clean, reasonable price, and you cannot beat the amazing location making it easy to get around without a car.

Berkeley eateries:

• Gather: Good local & organic food.  Nice wine selection. A killer tofu sandwich special.
• Jupiter: Malini & Garrett invited everyone for pizza and beer.  The back patio area was lovely and a great place to hang with a large group.  Pizza was also delicious.

Favorite new airline:

Virgin America. We flew the very short flight down from Seattle, but their direct tv service and wifi made the trip even more enjoyable.  Ken was able to work on his summer school class curriculum, and I was able to watch the Daily Show.  Everyone wins.

We will post pics and more in-depth reviews of some wineries just north of San Francisco in a few days.  Until then, enjoy the sun and have a great 4th of July weekend!