Not A Dollarshort

I look at the world and I notice it's turning.

As evidenced by this photograph, I was a teenage Beatles fan.

Born too late to be caught in true Beatlemania, I created my own little world where the Beatles were still number one on the charts and, more importantly, they were still men in their 20s.

The news of George Harrison's death saddens me.

Selfishly, to an extent.

I think that whenever a cultural icon passes away, we naturally chart our own life in relation to that person and his or her death. With Harrison's death, the baby boomers are reminded of the inevitable.

And although I'm a generation removed from this group -- those lucky kids that originally saw the Beatles play on Ed Sullivan, I understand the significance of this sort of loss.

But enough about me and my silly take on things.

Besides being a cultural icon, George Harrison also wrote beautiful music.

Here's an alternate version of one of my favorites -- an acoustic version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps from The Beatles Anthology 3.

What is your favorite George Harrison song?

Daily affirmation.

I don't radiate self-esteem.

And, if is hasn't been too obvious from my posts here at dollarshort.org, I'm very hard on myself with regard to personal and work-related projects.

So it shouldn't come as any surprise that I absolutely loathe putting together my resume and design portfolio.

per·fec·tion·ism
n. 1. A propensity for being displeased with anything that is not perfect or does not meet extremely high standards

Please note that although I'm a perfectionist, it does not mean I ever come close to outputting perfect work. That is where the misery lies.

For the past couple days I've been working on the design comp for my portfolio. And since placing the actual text of my accomplishments and past work is the most dreaded part of the entire process, my comp is filled with dummy text.

For example, I needed a line of text to maintain the balance of the design. This called for a pull-quote, tagline or your general marketing BS.

I came up with this:

I cry a lot and can't handle pressure.

You know, it's funny because it's true.

While checking out other designer portfolios via the directory at commarts, I swore that if I never saw another all-Flash designed portfolio, it would be too soon.

Yes, I get it, they've all got the beat.

I was ready to delete my copy of Macromedia Flash from my hard drive when I stumbled onto Todd Dominey's portfolio via his MT-powered weblog, whatdoIknow.org.

It makes me smile.

And then, there is his Antonio Carlos Jobim Turntable which is also a very neat thing.

Team Player.

"I guess someone doesn't feel part of the team."

That's what Ben said as he handed me this week's issue of Newsweek.

It only took a second before I burst out laughing at what I saw -- in the background to George's right, is Barney, their Scottish Terrier, looking as disinterested as a dog could possibly look.

I have mixed feelings about a Scottish Terrier being in the Bush White House.

As a Westie "owner", it's great to see a Scotty, the Westie's black twin and cohort, in the White House. But, I can only imagine the pressure that Barney feels when compared to Millie XXII, the Bushs' other dog.

I mean really, I bet that any of the Millies can sit on Jeb's chair at the Bush I dinner table.

And can a person look any more uncomfortable while holding a dog?

You remember the Millie I book? God rest her little fluff-writing soul.

Now, I bet Barney could tell some real juicy stories.

If you love something, set it free.

While I fear that I'll sound like an observation comic with this post, I just have to ask:

What is the deal with complimentary shower caps in hotel bathrooms?

Do people actually use them anymore? Or, are they just the vestigial tail of 1960s toiletries? You know, existing in the world of Aqua Net and peroxide.

This question arose on our trip -- or what I like to call "The great shampoo and soap heist of 2001."

To me, complimentary miniatures in the form of lotions, shampoos and conditioners, bar soaps and even mini jams, jellies and ketchups are the ultimate traveling perk.

Although I will admit that taking unused complimentary hotel items does slightly reek of frugal desperation, I must say that I leave no hotel bathroom complete with it's original goods at my time of departure.

I even take the free shower caps. This, despite, the overwhelming understanding that I will never find a need for the cap.

Since we usually pack our own soaps and shampoos, hotel toiletries usually have a straight path from the bathroom counter to my suitcase.

On our trip North, however, we didn't pack our own soaps.

Because of this oversight, this conversation, or rather, inquisition, occurred:

Mena: Did you unwrap the hand soap on the counter?!?

Ben: Yes. What do care?

Mena: I told you already -- use the Sheraton soap!

Ben: Why? Why can't I use this soap?

Mena: Did you forget about my collection?

Ben: Oh yeah. The collection.

Must-See Blog.

My dear friend Paula has totally revamped and redesigned her site, The Perils of Leisure. You must check it out, bookmark it, and email her notes of adoration since she really worked quite hard and, of course, she's moved to Movable Type.

It's been exciting to see some of my favorite blogs move to MT. And, it's even more exciting when you don't have to beg them to convert. Though that's not really true -- I have some dignity when it comes to pimping MT.

Some recent redesigns or re-imagineering (I love that Disney-coined phrase) of blogs that I read: phonezilla, Openwire (who is a certifiable MT addict), Metagrrrl, frykitty, scottandrew.com, Fireland (who has the best "powered-by" button ever), and possibly gavinfriday.com, which would be the coolest thing ever since I'm a big Gavin Friday fan and was stunned to realize that this Von B was the same Von B (no pressure, though).

I'm sure of missing some people, but just remember, as Judy Garland would say "I love you all!"

Yes, I read this book on my trip.

This is probably the most name-dropping you'll ever get out of me -- cherish it and blame it on the weather.

For hire.

Okay, I'm back.

Actually, we arrived home on Thanksgiving after driving two days straight in the storms. So why have I been so quiet? Well, I just didn't want to announce my presence until we had finished our little online travel journal project that we had planned to make.

So, here it is.

Ben wrote the entries and I took the photographs. I intended to write journal entries while on the road, but I really hate writing with a pen or pencil. So, you'll have to just read what Ben has to say. Trust me, we have pretty much the same opinion on everything.

That sounds really co-dependent, but really, how do you survive two weeks of 24/7 contact without having pretty much the same opinions?

During the past 3 months, I don't think Ben and I have been apart for more than three hours. While this statistic is probably enough to scare most couples, I'm more concerned with the fact that we're going to have to learn how to live a life less-conjoined.

You see, in September, we both lost our jobs. And, it's probably unavoidable that we'll have to find new ones at two different companies.

Let me just say that although we're not particularly frightened yet, there is something seriously messed up when there is absolutely no income flowing through a household.

Oh well.

Life goes on and most everything works out.

This is of course, the fully-rested Mena speaking.

But really, it's not that bad.

The lonely poncho.

Two days ago, I realized that I left an article of clothing at home.

My poncho.

Yes, that poncho -- the one article of clothing that I actually purchased for the sole purpose of wearing on this trip.

What is even sadder that it took almost a week and a half for me to realize that it is sitting on my bed at home.

Oh well.

We're in Victoria, BC right now and, honestly, I'm quite exhausted. I can't even imagine vacationing for another week or two (our original plans).

Plans call for a Thanksgiving return.

Tough life.

Greetings from Orcas Island, Washington.

We're staying at the Turtleback Inn -- a great little B&B in the middle of a valley within the Island. Quite cute, quite relaxing and quite cozy. Plus, the owners seem to pay close attention to the details that make B&B travel particularly enjoyable. Customized notecards, maps, travel books are in each bedroom and the hostess took time to orient us to Island life. Highly recommended.

We've just arrived from Seattle, where, it does not usually rain this much.

Last night, we met some very nice and interesting people at a dinner that Daniel organized. Needless to say, I needed to find a library today to get my Internet fix. Sad, sad person.

Of course, this will all pass tomorrow on our bike ride around the island -- that is, if it doesn't rain.

And you can call me L'il M.

Today, while visiting the Experience Music Project, I was again reminded that I'm a painfully boring person. This reality was stirred as I toured the "Milestones" exhibit of the Museum.

Amidst the Fender guitars and the handwritten music lyrics were the actual costumes that instantly identify a musician. "Oh, that's Janis Joplin's boa!" Or, "that's Hank Williams bolo tie!" Even more exciting -- "there's DMC's (of Run DMC) track suit!"

It was DMC's track suit, or rather, the hall of hip hop/rap artist costumes that really got me thinking.

If my persona was ever to be featured in a museum, what clothing would I see on my lucite frame?

I shiver to think I'll be on display in a pair of Old Navy khaki pants, an Old Navy chunky sweater and, if I'm really lucky and the curator pays special attention to detail -- a pair of grey socks with embroidered Westies on the cuffs.

So, what does this all mean?

Well, unless some changes take place, I'm destined to be forever remembered as a bland consumer mess.

So, starting soon, the new and improved Mena will now be sporting a bowler hat and a cane.

That's all.

Promised Land

We went to the "End of the Oregon Trail" historical center today.

Being a bit of an Oregon Trail nut, this exhibit was just my cup of prarie tea.

Although I did enjoy the presentation, I was slightly disturbed by "The Spirit Lives On," a song played during one of the films we saw at the center.

A ballad, "The Spirit..." sounded like the song Lee Greenwood would write if he was an Oregonian and if he really cared a lot about the Oregon Trail.

Later, while strolling the Oregon Trail Center gift shop, we found a shelf of CDs of modern songs all about the Trail.

Today, I realized, I can not officially call myself and Oregon Trail nut.

The melodrama of this song was balanced by another song that sounded just like "Covered Wagon" from Waiting for Guffman.

Now, that's good stuff.

Helpful advice sidenote: No matter how mad you are at your husband, eating a piece of "authentic Oregon Trail Huckleberry fruit snack" that fell on the hotel room floor will not, in any way, teach him "a lesson." It will only serve to turn your stomach as you think of all who have been in your room.