I've Been There, Burnt That (Again)

Well, I’m back again for another attempt at the blog, spurred by my new adventure to Austin, TX. 

The first time around, I hadn’t quite found my voice or my purpose. I’ve over the past almost year, I realized that not every post has to be about crashing and burning, because while funny at times, wasn’t really what I was all about. 

And it got hard to fit everything into a small, narrow box of situations where I’ve been burnt or burned something.

Don’t get me wrong, the toast burning mishaps and the challenges were fun.And this revelation doesn’t mean my blog will be super-serious, because I’ve learned that you can’t take life to seriously.

But I’ve realized “I’ve Been There Burnt That” is representative of life in general and not just the lows. So my blog will be representative of that -my life, my career, my move to Austin, my relationships, etc.

Before I was writing for you – or rather what I thought you were interested in. Or were about you. But now I’ve decided to write for me. I know that sounds selfish, but I got to make this fun for me to keep at it. I’m in the midst of reading Big Magic, a book by Elizabeth Gilbert (the lady who wrote Eat, Pray, Love), a quirky narrative about how to live a creative life. She states that if writing is your thing, you should never write for other people, you should write for you. And you should not be afraid if people will like it. Because it doesn't matter. 

So that’s what I’m doing. Writing for me, and not being afraid. And I hope you like it.  ;P

And living my creative life will not be limited to writing. For me it’s about writing, art, music and a mind-set of living. And I intend to reignite that spark with my move to Austin, even if it means starting a few fires and getting burnt along the way.

I've Been Burnt...

So I know I have been MIA for awhile & before that been a bit more serious.

So for those who preferred my lighthearted stories & ridiculous predicaments, here's a good one for you.

Guys if you've ever wondered if you should shave the scruff on your face. The answer is yes. Always shave. Scruff is rough. And can do major damage to sensitive skin [like mine].

Seriously I went on a date last Saturday and my chin is STILL irritated a week later. At least it no longer looks like a 12 year old boy's face during puberty.

I consulted the internet for some home remedies the day after and the suggestions were... wait for it... I can't make this stuff up: 1) Ask your man to shave, 2) Deal with it & buy some hydrocortisone cream & lather up, 3) Stop making out with or dating the person.

Since it was only date #2, I'm going to go ahead and go with option #3. And not just because of the scruff.

But for all you single men out there on Tinder who are reading this blog [I'm guessing approx. -5 people] if you want a swipe right, you better be posting clean-shaven photos.

#SalvagedItSaturday

Good news is I managed to salvage the #FridayFail (torched butternut squash) into a tasty salad on Saturday. 

And all the other ingredients somehow cancelled out the burnt flavor. 

#SalvagedItSaturday
#Laterpost

#FridayFail

Well, shoot. 
#FridayFail
#DinnerDoneWrong
#ShouldHaveGoneToTheBar

Cigar Challenge #30before31

So one of my #30before31 challenges was to smoke a cigar. And what better time to do that than at 2am on NYE in 5 degree weather? 

I was able to get it started (yay). But keeping it lit was another story, especially in the subterranean weather with the wind wiping around us. 

After several puffs and two re-lighting attempts, I decided that it wasn't worth risking frost bite and left the cigar with a willing party. 

So I didn't smoke the whole thing, but I did at least half. So that counts in my book. And I didn't light anything on fire or burn anyone. So again, a win. 

Here are 3 things I learned from this experience: 
1. Cigars taste just as bad as cigarettes
2. And give you just as bad hangovers 
3. They apparently make women seem sexy (but probably not ones in a giant parka) 
4. I'm lucky to have friends who will rally behind me when I want to try something new (even if it means standing outside in 5 degree weather) 

I probably won't be smoking one again any time soon, but am glad that I gave it a try. 

Damn I Hope So...

It's Not Me, It's the Toast

Hopefully you don't think I'm some kind of irresponsible girl just out of college and green to the world, because (contrary to the picture painted by the previous posts) I am turning 30 this year and would consider myself to be pretty successful. 

So how do these things happen to you? You might ask. Well this past weekend, I was thinking that same thing. I am a very rational and responsible person 90% of the time, but over the past 2-3 months it'll be like a switch flips and I'll do things very out of character. 

I decided to investigate this weekend and came across a book called, The Brain Chemistry Diet, based on the premise that what you eat can have a huge impact on your mood, how you handle stress and how you overcome depressing situations. Not only that, but it is different based on your personality type. 

This is a very interesting concept that what you eat on a daily basis can drastically impact your mental process and emotions. I used to have a very healthy diet, but over the past several months I have fallen off the wagon and have been eating a lot more carbs and much less fruits and vegetables than I used to. 

I know what you are thinking. I can't blame everything on my toast consumption and there are other contributing factors to my thinking and emotions. However, I became intrigued enough to try it out as an attempt to help be more balanced, especially after reading the case study about "Sarah", whose situation was creepily similar to mine. 

I've identified my personality trait to be a "Star". Without sharing the whole recommended food list, there are specific suggestions on what to eat and what to avoid during certain states of mind. 

While I know there is not a chance that I can follow it to a tee (especially the avoid alcohol & caffeine part), it's an interesting concept that I'm willing to give a try and might improve my cooking skills if I am forced to make other things than toast. :)

I started my experiment tonight and let's just say this is going to be quite the learning experience... 

A Pizza Revelation

Remember when I said my blog wasn't going to be all about pictures of burnt food? Well apologies in advance for the back-to-back burnt posts. 

Friday's benefit & auction was the culmination of 8 long months worth of planning for an American Cancer Society charity event. I was a co-chair this year and we had completely re-concepted the event with a brand new theme, location, night and logistics. It was either going to be a disaster or a bit hit. 

Much to my relief it was a huge hit --> my committee members kicked a** and tons of people came out to support the event, including a lot of my friends. 

That's when things went downhill. The next morning, I woke up to an apartment full of smoke, a head full of fog from booze and the remains of this pizza on the stove. 

Luckily I didn't burn down the apartment. And luckily, Kattie (my future roommate and partner in crime in Chicago) came to my rescue and turned off the burner that was roasting the pizza!

Lessons learned: Don't mix cooking & alcohol. Avoid Fireball Fridays. Avoid 4-inch heels on Fireball Fridays. Stick with good friends who will watch out for you. And #GetItTogether before I go to Chicago.  

Don't You Like Burn Everything?

"Don't You Like Burn Everything?" was the question directed toward me. To most people that may seem like a "burn" (see what I did there?). But when one of my favorite copywriters turned to me and asked that question I just laughed and said yes. 

I'm like the opposite of your friend who tries new recipes and posts pictures of their gourmet meals and everyone drools. I'm the girl who burns toast and then posts it, I said. 

You should start a blog, she said. And so this blog was born. 

But don't worry, I know what you are thinking. This blog is not going to be chock full of horrible-looking, inedible food photos - although there will be a few. But this will serve as a venue for me to share how I navigate life by "being there, burning that" and how I'll navigate the city of Chicago where I am moving in approximately 6 weeks with my friend, Kattie. 

Why would I care about your life, you ask. I don't know, but you're reading about it now, so I captured your attention somehow. I will conclude my first intro post with a slightly burnt food item and a few words of wisdom. 

I had turned down chicken nuggets earlier in the evening because I wanted something more "adult". So when I got home later that evening, I was starving and regretted not eating the nuggets, so I decided to make a quick turkey & grilled cheese sandwich that - spoiler alert - turned out to be neither adult-like and rather a bit burnt. Perfect, I said.  

But I'm not ashamed to say I ate it anyway. I mean, everything tastes better after being washed down with a big glass of wine. 

Morale of the story. You are never too old for chicken nuggets and always say yes if offered some because you never know what your alternative will be.