Goodbye Days of Leisure: Back to Work We Go!

I am now gainfully employed. I am finishing one last contract gig in apparel before I start my full time status in Brand Strategy. Why leave the fashion industry, you may ask? Well, it's not all bling and bauble. I just got back from southern Cali where I had to visit factories in East LA. Driving my boss's large very uncool Cadillac I maneuvered around stakeouts, check cashing institutions, and about 100 taco stands. I walked through cutting and sewing factories where my 4 inch heels were considered a safety hazard. The catcalls started...but to the worker's dismay my cursing in Spanish will rival anyones. They promptly shut up and focused on putting the seat in a pair of pants.

I am happy to leave apparel in pursuit of new industries and challenges. However the pursuit of employment wasn't easy in this down economy. I may feel superstar, but I also did manage to let a little stress invade my life as I waited for an offer. The following details were transcribed over two weeks ago when my life changed from lady of leisure to full time worker bee....


The Job Saga

Wednesday: 11pm

I was feeling a bit down wondering why I, the quoted consultant superstar, had not yet been called back with an offer. I was getting sad to the point of overdosing on 2 year old chocolate bar found in my nightstand drawer. At this low point I instead decided to pick up the other nightstand item--(no, not what you are thinking) a book called "The Tibetan art of positive thinking." I read, I meditated, I felt fabulous, and ignored the decaying chocolate to fall into a restful sleep.

Thursday: 9am

After a long run to JT tunes I sat on my living room floor and meditated. I envisioned all obstacles to my life being crushed by a sledgehammer. (maybe one that JT was holding...hmmmm...)

Thursday: 12pm

Putting my positive thinking to use I trotted down the Pac Heights streets in new heels to meet a entrepreneurial women who had started up a handbag line. We had a nice lunch chat and at the end she informed me not only was she looking for a business partner, but I, the consulting superstar, had amazing credentials for this role. ("how did you do all this and stay young?"). I wasn't sure what to say and stammered out something unintelligible. We agreed to stay in touch...I would be better with words after a martini...or chocolate...was it still in the drawer?

Thursday: 1.30pm

Before I could get to my secret chocolate drawer I did a voicemail check. It revealed that the Brand Strategy firm had indeed called me back--right during the time I was discussing my role as a possible handbag partner. I was silly to despair-They still love me. Of course. A few more phone calls revealed an offer and bonus potential. Less than I wanted...sigh....but the entrepreneurial company offered lots of other opportunities for success, such as an eventual role as San Francisco managing director if I proved my salt. The firm actually was so ready for me Heidiness that they had already picked out projects for me to start on this summer.

So what did I finally do? Well I decided to mull over the offer while surfing on Friday, congratulate myself on the art of Positive Thinking all weekend with glasses of champy, and then came back with a counter offer Monday. We worked out a deal and I was thrilled to start with such a young engaging company. I'll stay in touch with the bag lady (handbag that is) to learn more about her business but for now it's time to strategize on a plethora of brands. For my new job I actually need to become an expert on Guitar Hero. Wow--certainly beats hiking around factories in east LA.

My Interview on The Brooke Bryand Show

Brooke Bryand, friend, gossip show host, and author of "Brooklyn's Blog", decided to sit me down and interview me on my trip experiences. Before the interview began I saw her off with my girlfriends, devilishly putting together questions as they rolled in laughter. Hmmppff...I felt a bit taken advantage of, but anything for humor on the blog. And now, you will have the unedited version from Ms. Brooke Bryand.


Brooke prepping for the interview

[Brooke Bryand]: Thanks for joining us on the show. And welcome back! I have a few questions for you based on your fantastic experience over the last three months that the rest of us have followed on your blog while you were away. Let’s get started. What was your favorite moment in each of the major locations that you visited? Let’s start with Australia.

[ME]: In Australia, surfing, oh god the amazing surfing, and then learning to scuba dive in the Whit Sunday islands. In Vietnam, sailing in Ha Long Bay. In India, besides downward dog 4 hours a day it was certainly the art of Neti…clearing out my nose in the Ashram way. And in Africa…besides snuggling with Monica? Truth or dare in Zanzibar with strangers and reaching the top of Kilimanjaro…climaxing if you will.


Getting serious about her answers...this is a Live Audience after all

[BB]: What is the #1 thing you learned about yourself?

[HI]: I discovered more fully the type of person I want to be and how lucky I am to have my life.

[BB]: How did the trip change your perspective on your life in San Francisco?

[HI]: Yes, it made my life in SF more important to me.

[BB]: What did you miss most while away?

[HI]: Uhhh, toilet paper.


Recalling a particularly memorable aspect of the journey


[BB]: I’m sorry…your accent…can you tell me exactly where you’re from?

[ME]: Ohhh, you must be referring to my world-famous international accent. But of course. I can’t help it! I just mimic whomever I am speaking with. Who knows, my kids someday might be speaking eight languages because of me.

[BB]: And a follow-up question…what percentage of the trip was spent speaking with aforementioned International Accent?

[ME]: (without missing a beat) 95%. No question.

[BB]: How many bags were with you on this three month trip?

[ME]: This would the least amount of shoes I have ever had with me at one time. For THREE months I only had two SMALL bags, plus one more with a Sherpa. And I only lost one thing – my sunglasses. Well, and the visa for Vietnam, but who is counting?

[ME]: Finish this sentence…”I will never again…”

[ME]: “…clean out my nose with an instrument as I did at the Ashram.”

[BB]: Word Association. Say the first thing that comes to your mind.

[BB]: Scree [ME]: Misery.

[BB]: Yoga [ME]: Poga.

[BB]: Crocodile Meat [ME]: Swampy.

[BB]: Zipper (sleeping bags, tents, etc) [ME]: Cringe.

[BB]: Diarrhea [ME]: Monica.

[BB]: And let's get down to the nitty gritty. Did you utilize the one condom you brought? If so, what country?

[ME]: What?! What condom?! I was condomless in EVERY country! This was a SPIRITUAL journey, not a hedonistic one. Ahem.

[BB]: And another…. “After this trip, I now know I can…”

[ME]: “…go three months without being hedonistic.”

[BB]: Final question. Where is your next trip?

[ME]: Amsterdam.

That's all the questions we have for you, Heidi! Thanks for joining in on the first ever (and quite possibly only ever) "Brooklyn's Blog Interview". Fueled by vodka + grapefruit and lots of friends, I'd say we did okay!

There's No Place Like........

It's summer in San Francisco. Normally this would mean being shrouded in a cold foggy mist wearing ear muffs and woolen scarves. However, this year is different. Northern California has been struck with heat waves. This means short shorts and long BBQs with friends. What more does one need in life? I have always been in love with this city but this warm weather is making me twitterpatted all over again. I am Bambi prancing around the urban forest in glee...

Why did I have to travel all over the world just to realize I live in the best place on earth? Why did I need to escape when all I need is right here in my backyard? My friends here are like family, and this eclectic 'family' rivals my real one in terms of crazy characters, patented dance moves, and tendency to OD on good wine and food.

I returned to my city right before the 4th of July weekend. My 'family' whisked me away to Lake Tahoe where we re-lived our ski house experience in 80 degree sunshine.


Is it unusual to do a shimmy while wiping down the table? Strange to bee bop around while frying onions? Or how about performing the worm while the BBQ warms up? Yes, welcome to our Dance Party USA.....the party that starts before the...er...party starts. Motivated by vodka, no once can wait until after dinner to dance. The boogie gets down as we prepare the food, continues while we eat, and keeps developing through digestion. The moves become more and more complex as Roger Rabbit morphs into headspins. On occasion, dramatic lifts and plies are performed. The largest injury to date: broken nose.




Dancing around and lounging around gave me time to reflect on my whirlwind journey. Everyone has asked me about it and it is hard to explain such an epic intense experience in a few sentences. I feel changed. I feel happy. And I have a newfound respect and love for the people of the world.

Laid Back Australia inspired me to new challenges with its non stop surf.
Overwhelming India taught me to love without judging.
And colorful Tanzanian people made me laugh til I ached.

I am ready to leap into my next adventure which is rebuilding my life in my lovely San Francisco. Dating traumas, real estate woos, triathalon attempts and career intrigues await. I have a feeling that living here may be even more exciting than my Serengeti safari.

Stay tuned.....