14 KARAT LIVING

Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Sunny Monday, why not?

March 19th, 2012 | Liz Gold

Today was fun.

I spent a portion of my day hanging out with Mars who was visiting from Maine to participate in the NYC Half Marathon on Sunday (yesterday). So we spent her last day hanging around the neighborhood she stayed in – Fort Greene – and I discovered Myrtle Avenue.

We started out with brunch at Maggie Brown (which has a pretty awesome logo, btw). We sat outside on their patio & split a breakfast burrito and goat cheese, apple, glazed walnut and spinach salad. We sipped on seltzer with lemon. Do you care about these details? I’m adding them in.

Then we walked a bit and checked out Cake Joy as I wanted to get a gift for her friends who took me out a few days before. Ultimately it was decided to get wine – as it is diet-friendly and lasts longer. So we head to Gnarly Vines and chose one of their $10 specials. If I lived in that neighborhood, they would be my wine store. Maybe they should be anyway?

I had wanted to check out this bike shop too on Myrtle because two of my new coworkers work there and I looked up from the wine shop and there it was. And Gina was there looking fierce. And I found out the shop’s name: Red Lantern Bicycles . They have “Bicycles, Brew & Know How.” Now that’s a tagline.

We hung out there for a while and then hit the Project Hope thrift store on Vanderbilt. Mars found a funky dress/skirt that could end up being her spring/summer staple. Everybody needs one of those.

At that point, Mars & I said our goodbyes and I went home to get ready to pilot a new fitness class being offered by CAE. It was hella good! Stayed tuned for more on that!

Path of least resistance?

March 17th, 2012 | Liz Gold

My teacher brought up this philosophy in class today and it’s got me thinking about saying yes as compared to saying no. I always used to say no to things. No, to the unfamiliar, no to a new experience, and then I would come around and say yes.

Of course some of these things are things to do and some of them require money. How do you say yes (which I believe is following the path of least resistance if that’s what I desire to do and what comes naturally) when you may not have the funds to support the outing? Are funds necessary for the excursion?
Say you want to go out to eat with friends. They invite you. You want to go. But you really don’t have an extra $35 to go and participate. Do you change the way you participate or just not go? Do you not drink or eat? What do you do?

I have been thinking a lot about money lately and how little it means – really – yet how significant it is in our lives. Obviously money does not equate to happiness, but yet it can take the edge off from wondering how bills are going to be paid. I think for me, being in a place where money is challenging right now makes me appreciate what I do have, makes me feel more present in my day and see where the gifts (I was going to say blessings but that felt a little too woo) are … Everyday I feel this sense of surrender. That all I can do is put my best foot forward and do the work for the sake of doing the work. The work leads me to the next place I need to go.

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves.
Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them.
And the point is to live everything.
Live the questions”
- Rainer Maria Rilke

When things are continually hard, it’s an indicator that things aren’t necessarily working and it’s time to take a new approach. There’s something about finding new ways to do things that keep you alive. And mistakes will come as well as foibles and embarrassments and a pocket full of humbleness, but mostly what I find I am gifted with is insight and wisdom that I did not have before about me and my story.

Serendipity …

March 15th, 2012 | Liz Gold

Last night I went to a networking event put on by a private group (who will remain nameless for now) at The Tippler.
I had never heard of The Tippler, and it took a little investigating to find.
But it’s on the lower level of the Chelsea Market (which is beautiful and upscale).
When I finally found it, after circling the floor once around, I walk through this long, dimly lit bar to find this party I am attending where I know one person.

I was invited because I wrote an article. Let me tell you the story.
I went to a Freelancers Union meeting randomly one Wednesday night.
They offered free entry for a few members to an “Unconference” for entrepreneurs and freelancers that was taking place in late January. All you needed to agree to was to answer any questions about the Union and hand out some materials. I signed up.
I got an email letting me know I could go if I wanted.
So I went.
Gina Noy was one of the presenters. She’s a tax accountant.
[As an aside, I sat in for Lauryn Ballesteros' (VP of Partnerships for Squidoo, aka Seth Godin) workshops and did her lunch time Gucci purse showdown (explanation for another time) and won a six week sales class slated to start in April. And, we are talking about working together ...]
I decided that Gina might be a good fit for my March column, “Money management for small businesses.”
Turns out she was. She gave me some really good tax tips and business advice, just by interviewing her.
Before it was even published, she invited me to this networking event for her membership-based networking group.
She passed around my story to the group’s members and her network.
I attended last night at The Tippler.
I have a pile of new business cards on my desk, along with some potential leads.
And,
an invitation to attend their weekly breakfast meeting next week.
Had I not attended that Freelancers Union meeting and gotten in free to that Unconference, none of this would have happened.
Just goes to show, serendipity is for real.

Second chances

March 13th, 2012 | Liz Gold

I went to the Brooklyn Library (near me at Grand Army Plaza) and discovered this exhibition hanging in the front lobby.

“Released with Conviction” is a multi-media project following nine former inmates after their release from incarceration. The photos and accompanying interviews share their thoughts about re-entry into their communities, their families and the workplace. All of the photos have been taken by three Brooklyn photographers.

The project is created by The Center for Employment Opportunities [CEO]. It’s up from now until April 28.

Check it out here: www.ceoworks.org/released.

And from south Brooklyn I’ve been learning this,

March 12th, 2012 | Liz Gold

I am who I am.
I am willing to change and transform.
I highly value awareness, consciousness & personal growth.
I am like what someone remarked over G-chat, “emotionally flexible.”
I like what I like.
Classic rock,
mismatched patterns,
worn boots & other assorted leathers,
Metals worn against my skin,
People of all genders who display an easy confidence,
Laughter & silliness,
Commonality in compatibility whether friend or lover
and I know
that money isn’t everything
but it sure helps to take the edge off,
That I value community and have really always
had it in my life,
which surprised me when I made the discovery,
That a high title in a job doesn’t necessarily make me feel powerful
That labels can take the air out of something good,
That I miss my old friend I let go,
That I’m a lot stronger that I credit myself for
That I cut myself down way too often.
That often it’s not other people, it’s me.
That I have to sweat on a daily basis
and feel my heart beat in my chest,
That I like the red knuckles I get from karate
and the pulse of the hustle.

That I have an easy time meeting people
and making an impression,
That my vintage business wear must be worn
That my persona is my brand and that I created
a new one, when I didn’t really need it
That I have to get back to my roots in some way
and prune the branches that have stunted my growth,
That I can forgive
That I am a decent communicator minus some passive aggressiveness
and outburst tendencies.
That I’m not perfect.
That people get the wrong idea about me sometimes
and sometimes they are totally right on.

to be continued.

Say what?

March 11th, 2012 | Liz Gold

I’ve got a little time before I get on going to the restaurant for my first brunch.
Last night I went out to a party in a Chelsea loft. It was a birthday party for a friend of Superboy’s. Now she’s a friend of mine, too.
People were dressed and there was a nice spread and a lot of alcohol. I had my share.
When I entered, people immediately started complimenting me on my sheer pink 70s dress that clearly showed my nipples and clung in all the right places (which, of course, was on purpose). One of the guests, wearing a black dress and pearls with lots of ink on her skin remarked the intentionality must be why I wasn’t wearing nude panties. I was sort of struck by this comment and sort of the bitchiness obnoxiousness as the night went on. I guess I really didn’t think about wearing nude panties with the dress. I wore a sea green lace thong which looked fine peeking through but were mainly just comfortable. I felt a little embarrassed by her comment, in a way I do not like in public by a stranger. She was like, oh I hope I didn’t offend you with that….giggle giggle….
Anyway. It as a nice party, if not a touch awkward at times but the alcohol helped. I met a pretty femme I want to get to know. She likes to grapple and work out. FUN!
And lives in Kensington.
AND. I got to spank the birthday girl, who looked ravishing in a red and white polka dotted dress – hair and make up done in style (by the one with the pearls) …
And I left my ring on while I did it.
It was sexy fun.

But now I gotta finish up my tea and head on out to the wild world of being on the service side of brunch.

What a difference a day makes

March 10th, 2012 | Liz Gold

So yesterday I was freaking out a bit. I think it’s because my parents called. They were feeling antsy since I hadn’t spoken to them since Captain came to town a week or so ago. I needed some space but in typical parental fashion they email and call until I succomb and communicate.
Anyway. I have a tendency to a) not want to talk to them unless I have something good and boastful to share or b) talk to them about every shitty hardship that is going on in my life. In this case b won out.
They are supportive, as they always are, though it was funny because my dad said, “are you sure there isn’t anything on your resume that is turning people off.” I don’t think those were the actual words, but it was something like that.
They don’t want me to move out of my apartment which I am seriously considering. However, I must say, they continually support me, without question, really.
Anyway. That’s not the point of this post.

The point is, I went to a nearby restaurant last week to trail a server and went in again last night in the hopes of securing the job and I did. So grateful and happy. Saturday evenings and brunch at this hip lesbian-owned joint right up the street from me. I feel a sense of relief and that everything is going to be OK.
I have to remember I’m recreating my life now. I’m piecing it all together. Building it from the ground up and it feels good. What I have feels good.
I’ve turned a corner.