In my line of work, I must take RSVPs for multiple events a month. Generally they are low key affairs, with usually one grand daddy that causes me to receive unwanted blemishes, terrible stomach aches, or raging migraines. The root of this evil are the non-RSVPers. Not until I entered the professional world did I ever understand how bad of a problem this is. I have decided that not everyone is familiar with Emily Post and her teachings, so I am going to solve some of this issue by at least putting out there for anyone who stumbles upon my blog, so listen up children!
Lesson 1: Receiving the Invitation
Upon receiving said invitation to a wedding, party, business event, or even a child's birthday party, put the flyer/invite/e-vite print out somewhere you will always look. For a man, this might be on the fridge. For a lady, perhaps somewhere in an assumed filing system you already have going. Mentally note the date, and a "most likely to go" or "nope, can't make this one" so that you already have quasi-decision made.
Lesson 2: NEVER ASSUME
We all claim to be relatively intelligent human beings, some of us more capable than others certainly. However, as far as I know, none of us as hosts have become so omniscient that we can assume/anticipate/expect any guest to just send telepathic messages that we will be there. This is NEVER the case, thus you must NEVER do it. Important information is relying on that simple yes or no of yours. Catering numbers, linen counts, favors, printed materials-the list is endless. This rule also applies to even the best of friends. My BF and I always, always, always let each other know if we are able to make it to a hosted event. And yes, it's true, most likely my reply is a "yes", but she doesn't know if I have a conflict, and she extends the same courtesy to me.
Lesson 3: Note that Date
Generally on an invitation to an event there is a little piece of information that is the creme de la creme to the host: the reservation deadline. This little bugger should be placed on an Outlook Calendar, PDA, crackberry device, or your manually entered date books (hey, some of us are old school) as a DEADLINE. For those with zero event planning background, this is generally a time when the host needs to let the caterer or venue know the counts for many items. At this time, you must let the host know if you intend on coming. Do NOT, I repeat do NOT, think to yourself, "eh I can just show up, they can always squeeze me in." NO! NO! NO! Understand that there have been countless hours planning table arrangements just so, so that the most egotistical of V.I.P.s have the best spot, sponsors have a great view, and associates can be arranged to sit together. Those thoughts must be banished from your mind. As an event planner, it is the stress of all day-of stressers to have to scramble and find a spot for you AND your unannounced guest. If by a stroke of God I can find you somewhere, don't balk about not sitting together. It's unlikely and really is your punishment for not RSVPing. I often joke that I will seat these misfits at an Isolatation Table (thank you, Parent Trap) and make the offenders wear dunce caps as I mock them. I have yet been able to execute this public humiliation, but it's a threat. Don't push me.
Lesson #4: Get it in Girl!
The date has approached and now is the time to do one of life's simple pleasures, RSVP. Kindly drop an email, call, or even send the flyer or invitation back as the event dictates and let the host know your intentions. There is sometimes no greater gift in the business planning world than to have a grasp of who is coming to your event and actually be able to plan accordingly.
By following these rules, you have the power to make an event planner, bride, friend, or coworker very happy. It is so simple, and such simple etiquette, it will make Ms. Post smile and might even land you a better seat in the house.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Farewell 2008
2008 was a fabulous year...
Started out with one of my favorite things in life:
A themed party!
Followed a few weeks later by the question of a lifetime
In the spring, we celebrated with our Engagement Party
In the summer, my best girl finally became an engaged woman to her fiancee, Rob!
When fall came round, naturally, we married, we honeymooned, and became husband and wife
I am blessed to have that boy as my husband, my family, and my friends in my life. Cheers to 2009 and continued happiness for you and yours.
Started out with one of my favorite things in life:
A themed party!
Followed a few weeks later by the question of a lifetime
In the spring, we celebrated with our Engagement Party
In the summer, my best girl finally became an engaged woman to her fiancee, Rob!
When fall came round, naturally, we married, we honeymooned, and became husband and wife
I am blessed to have that boy as my husband, my family, and my friends in my life. Cheers to 2009 and continued happiness for you and yours.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Adventures at the Gym
A few weeks ago, I adopted a new gym routine. I realized I was coming home fatigued and in no mood following an 8+ hour workday, to sweat to any oldies or move any muscles, in any direction. I decided to give the early bird method a whirl and have been pleasantly surprised to the ease at which I have taken to it.
The drawback besides the hour-early wake up call, is the amount of people already there. I am a curious creature, heavily set in my ways, and prefer to do my cardio routine first. When all treadmills are occupied, I swallow a large pill labeled "I-could-have-slept-in-if-I had-known-this-is-what-I-was-going-to-meet!" I know you burn the same amount of calories starting the routine with weights, or on an eliptical, but I just don't like that. I like to feel the sweat first, then move on to the pumping iron period. I feel cheated when I get up at 6 a.m. to just lift some weights. It's not worth it to me. I need to feel my heart racing! Lifting does not do that for me.
One major plus to the early bird workout is the lack of children present. I cannot understand for the life of me why people bring their kids to an apartment community gym. This is only dealt with on the weekends when I go at normal hours to whip my fatness into shape, but it's becoming somewhat regular. I get that a couple might want to work out together but its a little weird when you are on the treadmill and have a baby tied to your back sloshing around squealing. Might I make a suggestion: stagger your workouts-you are only missing each other by an hour, really. It's worth it.
Secondly, the gym is not a playground. There are no monkey bars, see saws, or swing sets. It is no excuse for the park. Today, I bit my tongue as some grandfather let his two angels under 5 years old run, fall, and get thrown off the treadmill, to their utter delight, and his turned head missed it all. As if that wasn't fun enough, turning on and off all of the televisions, meddling with the weight machine settings, and flinging pull up bars, seemed to be their idea of afternoon fun. Perhaps I am turning into a critical, narcisisstic old woman, early. But seriously, that is out of control. Plus, my Type-A personality should point out, no kids are even ALLOWED in the gym! You have to be 18 years old, GEEZ.
My final problem boils down to television etiquette. If I am coming into a gym session when all tv's are in use, and then a treadmill becomes occupied, I take over the tv and change it to any program I wish. What I do continue to respect is the volume level. One must just deal with the closed captioning until the TV Czar leaves his thrown, and the second in line can take over, and so on, and so forth. I would not come into the gym, turn channels, nor volume up and down. It is rude and quite assuming that I want to listen to Tyra Banks. For the record, I would swim that day.
When I go to the gym, I am geared up to zone out and burn some major calories, in the name of a fabulous bod. I do not go to socialize, as I know I work out best solo. I do not go to make friends, or even to converse, period. It is a time of utter self-absorption. Please respect the time of those of us who are there by keeping the kids at home, not hogging the tv or machines for that matter, and just minding your p's and q's.
thank you and happy sweating.
The drawback besides the hour-early wake up call, is the amount of people already there. I am a curious creature, heavily set in my ways, and prefer to do my cardio routine first. When all treadmills are occupied, I swallow a large pill labeled "I-could-have-slept-in-if-I had-known-this-is-what-I-was-going-to-meet!" I know you burn the same amount of calories starting the routine with weights, or on an eliptical, but I just don't like that. I like to feel the sweat first, then move on to the pumping iron period. I feel cheated when I get up at 6 a.m. to just lift some weights. It's not worth it to me. I need to feel my heart racing! Lifting does not do that for me.
One major plus to the early bird workout is the lack of children present. I cannot understand for the life of me why people bring their kids to an apartment community gym. This is only dealt with on the weekends when I go at normal hours to whip my fatness into shape, but it's becoming somewhat regular. I get that a couple might want to work out together but its a little weird when you are on the treadmill and have a baby tied to your back sloshing around squealing. Might I make a suggestion: stagger your workouts-you are only missing each other by an hour, really. It's worth it.
Secondly, the gym is not a playground. There are no monkey bars, see saws, or swing sets. It is no excuse for the park. Today, I bit my tongue as some grandfather let his two angels under 5 years old run, fall, and get thrown off the treadmill, to their utter delight, and his turned head missed it all. As if that wasn't fun enough, turning on and off all of the televisions, meddling with the weight machine settings, and flinging pull up bars, seemed to be their idea of afternoon fun. Perhaps I am turning into a critical, narcisisstic old woman, early. But seriously, that is out of control. Plus, my Type-A personality should point out, no kids are even ALLOWED in the gym! You have to be 18 years old, GEEZ.
My final problem boils down to television etiquette. If I am coming into a gym session when all tv's are in use, and then a treadmill becomes occupied, I take over the tv and change it to any program I wish. What I do continue to respect is the volume level. One must just deal with the closed captioning until the TV Czar leaves his thrown, and the second in line can take over, and so on, and so forth. I would not come into the gym, turn channels, nor volume up and down. It is rude and quite assuming that I want to listen to Tyra Banks. For the record, I would swim that day.
When I go to the gym, I am geared up to zone out and burn some major calories, in the name of a fabulous bod. I do not go to socialize, as I know I work out best solo. I do not go to make friends, or even to converse, period. It is a time of utter self-absorption. Please respect the time of those of us who are there by keeping the kids at home, not hogging the tv or machines for that matter, and just minding your p's and q's.
thank you and happy sweating.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
6 billion and counting, oh my.
Why oh why is this world so populated?
I find it much more noticeable during the holiday season. People literally leave the safe confines of their home to venture into malls, grocery stores, and the streets. I have a theory that some of these people come out so infrequently that they forget how to mesh with the rest of us that make it a point to leave our homes at least five times a day. These special humans are most noticeable in the following ways:
1. Their mobility is limited. They stop in doorways, the middle of aisles, and generally the busiest of places. It is likely that they are also the culprits braking on the road with no car or obstacle in front of them.
2. They hold up lines, lines, LINES! This species also seems to forget how the American dollar works. It is true, it's crap, but so is money all over the world, probably even the Monopoly money they are used to in their hibernating dwellings. For some reason that I hope I am rewarded for at a later time in life, they are also ALWAYS in front of me. I carefully scope out which Target/Trader Joe's/Albertson's line looks to be moving the fastest and somehow they sneak in and lose their monetary marbles. No you cannot use a combination of 7 credit/gift/debit cards to pay for that purchase. No, please do not decide to open a Target account in front of me and then proceed to debate for 10 mins over what split purchase to apply your 15% discount.
3. They generally have zero fashion sense. I know that claim is a bit below the belt, but come on people! At least roll out of bed and throw some pants and real shoes on--pajamas and slippers are not made for the public's viewing, EVER. Remember that it was only a few short years ago that women wore gloves, pearls, pantyhose, and heels. Men wore three piece suits and carried pocket watches. Their pants rose near the navel, not the knees. Show some effort for the rest of us who have to look at all of you.
Bottom line, hibernators, when entering the public sector, be aware of your surroundings. People move at a fast past-time is flying by and those of us that shake each day are out there taking advantage of it. Do stop and smell the flowers, but pull over and do it on your own time. If we are going to share the same resources we need to get along and move at a compatible speed.
It's at least 60 on the freeway and crocs are never ok.
I find it much more noticeable during the holiday season. People literally leave the safe confines of their home to venture into malls, grocery stores, and the streets. I have a theory that some of these people come out so infrequently that they forget how to mesh with the rest of us that make it a point to leave our homes at least five times a day. These special humans are most noticeable in the following ways:
1. Their mobility is limited. They stop in doorways, the middle of aisles, and generally the busiest of places. It is likely that they are also the culprits braking on the road with no car or obstacle in front of them.
2. They hold up lines, lines, LINES! This species also seems to forget how the American dollar works. It is true, it's crap, but so is money all over the world, probably even the Monopoly money they are used to in their hibernating dwellings. For some reason that I hope I am rewarded for at a later time in life, they are also ALWAYS in front of me. I carefully scope out which Target/Trader Joe's/Albertson's line looks to be moving the fastest and somehow they sneak in and lose their monetary marbles. No you cannot use a combination of 7 credit/gift/debit cards to pay for that purchase. No, please do not decide to open a Target account in front of me and then proceed to debate for 10 mins over what split purchase to apply your 15% discount.
3. They generally have zero fashion sense. I know that claim is a bit below the belt, but come on people! At least roll out of bed and throw some pants and real shoes on--pajamas and slippers are not made for the public's viewing, EVER. Remember that it was only a few short years ago that women wore gloves, pearls, pantyhose, and heels. Men wore three piece suits and carried pocket watches. Their pants rose near the navel, not the knees. Show some effort for the rest of us who have to look at all of you.
Bottom line, hibernators, when entering the public sector, be aware of your surroundings. People move at a fast past-time is flying by and those of us that shake each day are out there taking advantage of it. Do stop and smell the flowers, but pull over and do it on your own time. If we are going to share the same resources we need to get along and move at a compatible speed.
It's at least 60 on the freeway and crocs are never ok.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Le Quick Chick
Watch out Rachael Ray, here is dinner in 10!
Chicken
Chicken pieces-whatever you have on hand and however many you can eat, thawed: breast, tenders, legs, thighs, bird
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Steak seasonings
Heat skillet with olive oil and garlic. Sprinkle chicken pieces with seasonings. Cook each side until golden brown.
Rice
Use Minute Rice-boil water, add rice, let sit for a few minutes and voila!
Veggies
Whatever veggies you have on hand. I used:
1 zucchini, sliced
1 tomato, sliced
1/4 onion, chopped
1 c spinach
Heat skillet with olive oil and onion. Add zucchini and tomato and cook until zucchini browns. Mix in fresh spinach until it wilts. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve.
As I would say, you have an easy and healthy meal from start to finish in under....10 minutes!
Chicken
Chicken pieces-whatever you have on hand and however many you can eat, thawed: breast, tenders, legs, thighs, bird
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Steak seasonings
Heat skillet with olive oil and garlic. Sprinkle chicken pieces with seasonings. Cook each side until golden brown.
Rice
Use Minute Rice-boil water, add rice, let sit for a few minutes and voila!
Veggies
Whatever veggies you have on hand. I used:
1 zucchini, sliced
1 tomato, sliced
1/4 onion, chopped
1 c spinach
Heat skillet with olive oil and onion. Add zucchini and tomato and cook until zucchini browns. Mix in fresh spinach until it wilts. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve.
As I would say, you have an easy and healthy meal from start to finish in under....10 minutes!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Wedding Bells!
...introducing the Mr. & Mrs!
September 7 was a beautiful date as I married my best friend and became his wife.
We went on a fabulous honeymoon to Boston:
Fenway Park--the energy was crazy!
At Harvard....
And Scott's second choice school, MIT:
From Boston we flew to NYC:
Overlooking the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park
At The Met (though these knights in shining armor pale in comparison to mine)
Cold, windy, and raining at the top of the Empire State Building:
At Yankee Stadium!
And finally on to the paradise that is Fiji
At the Taveuni Island Airport
Tavoro Falls Waterfall Hike
BBQ Snorkel trip on an uninhabited island
Enjoying the local brew, kava
Our last night in paradise
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