Gloomy Friday

Decide what makes you happy, then hold a yard sale for everything that doesn't.

~ Thanks for the Quote Megs :)


It's Friday and it is raining like you wouldn't believe.

Perfect night for:
~ Baking delicious treats
~ Girl talk with the rooms
~ Family dinner
~ Greys Anatomy/Private Practice episodes from last night
~ Snuggling on the couch (wish you were here MJL)
~ Fro Yo with my bff (hint hint J. Roth)
~ Sappy movies and popcorn
~ Fireplaces
~ Moscato

I can't wait for my weekend to begin, Mono and all!

XO!

T

The Mentor

I am privileged to have a mentor both in business and life. I've accumulated quite the list of some of his "excerpts". Some may call them blurbs. Some may think they are ridiculous. John himself would call them intellectual thoughts from the Messiah (yes he does refer to himself as this) as he jaunts around the country tearing apart failing companies. The LA Times has referred to him as "The Grave Dancer." You'd think this would annoy him, nope, he relishes it jokingly stating that he will sell everything from one of these fruitless company's, right down to the paperclips, smash the cockroaches in the buildings and write them off as livestock. Some people are born to do what they do, this is quite certainly the case with Mr. Kercheval. He is outspoken, witty, full of wisdom, demanding, and rightfully arrogant. A book titled "War" is the bible of his office with massive granite entrances and a huge silver vulture intimidating any newcomer. Try googling him, you won't find too much, a but about the Vulture Fund but that is about it. He's oddly secretive and deceptive, exceptionally saavy, rather opinionated, extremely intimidating (wait, maybe those are the armored cars and blue corps body guards) but there is something about the wise man that keeps you coming back for more.

I hope you enjoy a few of these and they make you stop and think. Either way, I thought I'd share some of them with you. The little bugger even posts jolts at his favorite mentorees on his board, what a pip!

Enjoy.

And hey, JK, THANKS!

FREEDOM BEGINS WITH THE WORD "NO" (Century City): One of my favorite quotes. NO to rule under the British crown, NO to more taxes, NO to (Con) salesmen selling junk, NO to needless regulation, NO to cops writing bogus tickets. JUST SAY NO and fight it. Whatever "IT" is you owe it to yourself, to society. Start with "NO" and work backwards to "YES" not the other way around.

CHARISMA (MN): is a presence that excites us. It is an INNER quality-self confidence, sexual energy, sense of purpose, contentment, articulation- that which most people lack but want. This radiates outward in thought, word and deed. Those with it can seduce masses on a grand scale. Maybe you have it, or can learn it, or neither.If none, well, the world needs ditch-diggers too.

ELEVATE YOURSELF ABOVE THE MASSES (Minneapolis, MN): Realize that all of life exists on a plane below you. The trials, the strife even the victories. Let those OF the world, not IN the world get phased by the hardships. In the Grand Strategy you will do better by taking the eagle's view of things and acting accordingly.

THE MAIN DYSFUNCTION PEOPLE HAVE (Century City, CA): is this foolish belief that life/fame/money/love are some kind of mystical, sacred, magical realm where things just fall into place. This is romantic and quaint but just a cover for laziness and lack of introspection. BE PROACTIVE, TAKE LIFE SERIOUSLY, put together a written life plan. Let that be your 2011 Paradigm Shift.

A NEAR SKIRMISH AT THE ARCELOR CLOSING (Detroit): We had some blue collar workers (who, when assembled together, look like a herd of moose) come at us. The security guys scared them off (Rock, Paper, Scissors.. 3 guys with Mac-10 Automatic weapons- we win!) but yet another try. Will just make me happier when I push that plunger to drop the buildings next month. I love this job, this is so exciting!

DEAR TARA CALDWELL (4 AM, Tues Feb 15th, Chicago, IL): Well I took quite a
beating on my own board from you yesterday over not sending Valentine's day flowers etc. Tell me do you have anything you would like to add to the myriad of posts below? Also how does "eating THAT MUCH crow" actually taste? I've never had to do it before

WHY ARE FLOWERS SO EXPENSIVE? (Boston, MA): Well I'm in Beantown getting ready for a day of paying off investors and buying flowers for my Valentines (yes, plural). They cost so much I may as well just send a bouquet of money! Why do they cost so much? Because guys like me actually pay it. There is a simple but potent business lesson for you.

THE VULTURE FUND IS LIKE THE BULL IN THE CHINA SHOP (Century City): We plan on getting a company decimated, and we are going to take everybody with us who wants to play, and run over with a steamroller everybody who resists change with our foot firmly planted on the accelerator. Change is what LIFE is all about Learn it fast and early.Change is the definition, literallythe definition of the future.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS HIT THE "HOT BUTTONS" (Century City): I can't stand listening in on earnings calls with Wall Steet Analysts and corp. execs. The execs says "We did Sh*tty" and the analysts always say "well that sets you up for a better next quarter. Are you kidding me? Bad is Bad, no two ways about it. Look for the signs, it cannot be good and bad at the same time. Look for "The Big Lie, question everything."

THE MESSIANIC PERSONALITY(Century City): Most of us comprimidse constantlky to survive, Messiahs do not. They live out their ideals WITHOUT CARING about the consequences. Take it from me, this is hard. You get banged up a lot , lose battles but win in the end- The Grand Strategy. Victory in the end is what counts.Leading from the front with a strong battle plan is hard, but we can do it.

BY THE TIME I'M FINISHED EVISCERATING THIS COMPANY, THE ONLY WAY TO IDENTIFY THE REMAINS IS VIA DENTAL RECORDS (Minneapolis, MN): A rare Winter Vulture Deal. (White Vulture Pic to follow) we are even taking down the buildings themselves in MI, leaving raw land, and selling them for scrap. G*D I love this job. Contact the Michigan Devel. Corp. if you want to build here. Plenty of room!

With YOU

A few months ago I made a promise to myself to start living my life for ME.

BEST decision I've EVER made. EVER.

From that moment on, despite the fatigue, despite the illness, despite my body screaming at me to slow down, rest, stay awhile... my life has been magic.

I woke up one day and I was living a fairytale,
my own life,
pure bliss.

My life, with you.

The day I finally stood still. Took a deep breath. And smiled at myself.

Happy.

Content.

Full.

Oddly enough, it would be one of the last day's I'd stand alone.

Happy Birthday Roomie!

Happy Birthday to my sweet roommate Miss Katie.

Wishing her the happiest of birthdays!!!

The perfect way to celebrate? Strawberry Shortcake, a bottle of good Moscato, and some girl talk.

Can't wait!

T

Cupid Shuffle

Happy Valentines Day!!!

I hope all my blog readers out there had a very special day, whether celebrating with a lover, a friend, family, or your best pals. Lets face it, we all can use a little bit more love in our lives, from everyone!

Today was a great day, probably the best V-Day I've had, EVER.

And here are a few reasons why:

1. My sweet mama was my valentine yet again... 25 years and counting, I don't think she'll miss one year, and I secretly hope she doesn't!!! Chocolates (hand picked of course), a sweet card, and a beautiful picture and frame of me and my lovely brothers. I just love her to pieces. If there's one thing we can always count on, its the love we will have from our mothers (and you too Daddy :) ) She'll always be my number one valentine and I wouldn't have it any other way!

2. Apparently the new beau doesn't just celebrate things for one day, but he makes it last a WHOLE weekend. He wrote himself a whole honey-do's list for stuff around my house and completed it all. I mean, really? Who does that! SO SPECTACULAR.

3. I brought my mom some dark chocolate strawberries today at work, they are just our favorites, and she immediately opens up the box and says, "well, should we eat them?" Before I left the office they were all gone. Nothing like a sweet treat to make you feel a little better when you're feeling down.

4. The boy surprises me with not one bouquet of flowers, but TWO. And stays an extra day just to spend more time with me. I am so lucky.

5. I have the best friends in the world who know how hard last year was for me, and send me super cute treats today just because they want to make sure 2011 gets started off right. THANK YOU. (especially you, JK).

6. Evening "snack time" and "gossip girl" with the roomie tonight was so fun! As was hanging up all our old flowers to dry so we can keep them for keepsakes. OK, sappy, but we are just too cute. As is our flower filled house.

So to all you wonderful people who paused to make my day a bit more special, here is a great big hug and an even bigger THANK YOU.

I'm starting to feel pretty darn lucky and blessed these days. It must be because you're all in my life!

Love & Hugs,

T

People grow old only by deserting their ideals, their faith. There is always the love of wonder, a childlike appetite for what is next, and the joy of your life. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, and old as your fear or despair.

Only at MCD

Today a customer at one of our restaurants held the door open for another customer. That nice person who so kindly held the door, lost grip of the door, and hit the other lady in the head with the door.

The fire department and ambulance were called.

Guess who is paying that bill??

I'm thinking.... HOW is this our fault?

The Truth

At the end of the day you have to look yourself, and no one else, in the mirror. Just you and God watching down on you. It's a silent conversation as He knows all your deepest secrets and intentions. People can think what they want, but deep down inside you know the truth, and God knows it too. So hold yourself to the highest levels of honest and integrity for one day you will be judged by a being far more powerful than yourself.

Sometimes the hardest conversations are those which require brutal honesty, honesty both to yourself and to others. These are the times when we must stand strong in faith and character, for as hard as it is to be so honest, as much as we hate the tough conversations that hurt or upset people we love and care about.... one day it will be much harder to try to explain why you said nothing at all.

The weak ignore these moments, they runaway in fear of the outcome, the thoughts, the whispers among the crowds. The strong stand up and confront reality... they stand firm in truth and in character, heads held high, honesty, and integrity intact... displaying fortitude with grace. No, it isn't easy, thats the funny thing about life and about growing up... no one ever said it would be.

Beyond the Bar

This one's for you SUGARRRRRRRR.

I've got this pretty awesome friend and she is about to ROCK the bar exam. I am just so darn proud of her!!!! I know these last few days will be nuts as the final preparations and studying unfold but Porter we are ALL here for you! And while I can't be there with you to celebrate post exam, I'll throw a few back for you here in spirit. I don't need to wait for some paper to arrive that says you're a good lawyer, you already are a damn good lawyer and an even better person.

So as the stress level rises and the freakout of OMG IM ABOUT TO TAKE THE BAR exam arrives, put your worry hat away. You, my dear, are nothing short of spectacular.

So rock that exam and show the world what all of us that love you to pieces already know... you're pretty amazing.

Xo!

T