Chicago – Visit “21c Museum Hotel – MGallery,” newly opened

The talk of the town in Chicago this week is the newly opened “21c Museum Hotel.” It’s an elegant boutique hotel, which has a small contemporary art museum. The art gallery features some thought provoking pieces.

I found this art piece interesting called, ‘The Police State,” by Sebastian Errazuriz, his take on the three world leaders. There were other interesting pieces, but since the museum is so small, I’ll let you visit to see the rest.

The Reception desk said that 21c Museum Hotels have quite a few other locations, you can visit their website to see where. Condé Nast Traveler has written about this hotel chain, so worth a visit. Now, I am inspired by art, need to go to the Art Institute.

Happy Lunar New Year 2020 – Year of the Rat

I was at the Post Office this week mailing a package. I was almost done with my transaction when I asked for some stamps. GUESS WHAT — the Post Mistress brought out these stamps for Lunar New Year! She asked, “Would you like these?” Why, of course!

I believe the Year of the Rat starts off the 12 zodiac signs. If that is true, looking at the sheet of stamps, it appears the Post Office has their next 11 stamps set up for the next 11 years. We will see.

This illustration of the Rat is really beautiful. Personally, I think it looks more like a jaguar than a rat. However, as I keep looking at it, this rat clearly has a magical look.

I realize I am a little late, but better late than never!

Wishing you ALL a Happy Lunar New Year!

Japan – An employment office…?

Japan - Need a fun jobRecently, my daughter was in Japan and sent me this photo.

I smiled!

Maybe the objective of this door was to make us think, smile and wonder.

An employment office?

Unfortunately, she was was not able to go in and ask for the meaning of the door.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A FUN JOB IN LIFE?

Puzzles… exotic travels

14B9E8F5-458A-4694-9E92-33DD6FBCFFC6I’ve always enjoyed doing puzzles. When my children were little we had a few favorite Disney puzzles that were about 35 pieces. Super easy, but just enough pieces to put some effort into making them without getting bored or tired.

For a few years now, I have been looking for a good puzzle, nothing caught my attention. This Christmas though, I found this puzzle by accident. I immediately liked it. Exotic travels, super colorful, and it looks like a group of stamps put together.

I started my puzzle with such excitement.

THEN THE LET DOWN… turns out this puzzle is an oversized shaped 24 x 30. As I was making the puzzle my pieces were not going to fit on my table. My table is 24 inches long, I need 30.

So, I started investigating puzzle tables. I didn’t even know they existed. However, do I really want a big table? Where would I store it when I’m not making a puzzle?

I don’t have the answers yet, BUT I do want to make my puzzle!

Not sure where to start… Rome, Hong Kong, Egypt, Bahamas?

My puzzle — HOW WILL IT GET DONE?  I need a puzzle expert!

Fitness challenge 2020. I’ve been thinking…

Thanksgiving Confused Man

This is a new year. Exercise is important. I’ve been wanting to join an athletic challenge of some sort. Welcome Walkingspree.com. It’s an App that a company uses to challenge employees to exercise. We have a challenge at work right now. It’s for a month. We are walking around the Island of Hawaii. The goal is to walk 8,000 steps a day. They have different prizes at the end of the one month challenge. I signed up a week late… so, I’m already behind for winning prizes, but I signed up in an effort to challenge myself.

FitBit

I bought a FitBit to track my step count. I decided on a bright purple watch band. It’s hard to miss and keeps reminding me to step up my game and WALK, walk, WALK! After a few days, I found that it is not so easy to get 8,000 steps a day in with a desk job. This is a good eye opener for me. While it is a “small exercise challenge,” it is a challenge, because at least for now, I have to get 8,000 steps a day in. I looked at the map of Hawaii. I’ve made it to 2 stops… ONLY 5 more stops to reach the FINISH LINE!

Already thinking, after February, WHAT will be my next athletic challenge?

Climb a mountain in Canada, Austria, Seattle? I am not a runner, but I like hiking. Hum?!

Chicago dreaming…

View of Lake MichiganTime to visit Chicago. Look how beautiful the view is. We’ve had a mild winter (knock on wood); however, that is about to change. Temperatures have dropped and tomorrow we are supposed to have snow.

When I see this view I think Harry Potter is going to be flying by soon.

A perfect view to spark a writer’s creative thoughts!

Imagine in July when the Blue Angels are flying by. It’s spectacular!

Can you tell I am getting ready for Spring?

Join STORYSTORM – Create 30 ideas for children’s books in the month of January

StorystormTara Lazar, children’s book author, came up with a great way to start every new year. It’s called, “STORYSTORM.” The concept is simple, it’s free and all that is required is that anyone who signs up for “STORYSTORM” comes up with 30 book ideas in 31 days.

Good news, this is stress free, because you are not held accountable for showing anyone your 30 ideas. You are the only one that knows if you did it or not. However, by signing up, you can join the discussions on Facebook, read posts by other authors, agents, editors, etc.

Lazar only does this in January. Last January, I found out about it, but it was at the end of the month, so I missed the boat. This year though, I am right on time.

Let the story ideas BEGIN…

Miracles happen! Happy New Year’s Eve…

2019 has been a tough year. I feel like this mountain climber, I’ve had to stay strong, hang on for a few years… or… FALL to my doom.

Good news – I hung on. FINALLY, right before Christmas, I was offered a great job. I had a Christmas miracle. I am extremely grateful.

It’s been a tough few years of job hunting. We’ve all been there, if not with a job transition, with some other part of our life that isn’t going as we would like. It’s not easy, it’s tough, like the mountain climber, there are sad and scary moments, then moments of triumph, but through it all we become stronger — WE WANT TO REACH THE TOP.

There is always that ray of hope, if we continue to fight, to believe in ourselves that we will once again be on top!

So, I am here to say, my VICTORY happened!

Stick with it, if you are waiting for a victory or break through — IT IS COMING!

On to NEW goals for 2020!

It’s time to try and reach even higher (my children’s book, need to dust that off and start working on it again!)

Happy New Year!

Santa Mail -> There is still time… Have you mailed your letter?

Santa Mail 1

I was at Macy’s the other day looking for a gift. Look what I came across, a Santa Mailbox. They even had the note paper, quick and easy.

Santa Mail 2In my Junk folder I saw an email about Certified Santa Mail. REALLY, what a way to make money off of children’s wishes. When we were little, I admit, it was fun to write a letter to Santa hoping we would get our red bicycle or new radio, whatever it might be. However, it was simple and innocent, our letters were written on lined paper that we used for school homework.

Now, there are all sorts of websites with specialized Santa care packages, certified letters, etc. I’m smiling at that, because a young child does not even know what a certified letter is or means, so these company’s are selling to the parents WHO play the role of Santa.

Anyhow, just for “giggles,” I was tempted to write a letter to Santa and put it in the mailbox.

DEAR SANTA,

ARE YOU REALLY ALL MIGHTY AND POWERFUL ABLE TO MAKE ANY WISH COME TRUE? HOW OLD IS RUDOLPH NOW? YOUR SANTA SUIT IS LOOKING A LITTLE WORN AND YOUR SLEIGH WAS SQUEAKY LAST YEAR.

I’VE TALKED TO MY FRIENDS, WE ARE WILLING TO MAKE A DONATION, SO YOU CAN HAVE A NEW SUIT. MY FRIEND SALLY SUGGESTED STARTING A “GO FUNDME” CAMPAIGN FOR YOU (SANTA NEEDS A NEW SUIT AND MONEY TO FIX HIS SLEIGH).

WHERE SHOULD WE SEND THE $$$$ THAT IS DONATED?

CONTACT ME AT — SANTANEEDSHELP@GMAIL.COM

__________________________________

All joking aside, I bet people would donate to that fund and the next photo would be of the crook drinking a margarita in the Bahamas wearing a Santa hat.  Ho, ho, ho —