Cruisin' down the coast, goin' 'bout 99

The longer I stay at this job, the more of a necessity vacations become to me.  I'm an absolute psycho when it comes to vacations.  Got a day and a half to spare?  Let's fly across the country.  It's indicative of the job.  In my line of work, it's a very work-hard-play-hard mentality.

Given that I'm on a bit of an insane work schedule right now that allows me only two days home, the trip to Indian Rocks, Florida proved to be a 36-hour trip.  Nonetheless, it was amazing and totally called for.  There's nothing like coming out of the airport and just feeling a wave of humidity hit you as the doors slide open.  I live for weekends, now-in-days, and going into Labor Day it's become an ever present reminder to treat yourself right whenever you can.

As such, have a great Labor Day.  If I can harass someone to take pictures, I'll write something a little more exciting next time.  In the mean time, I'll try to be a little less of a wreck... when it comes to work and everything else.

Snapshots from Boston

Ever taken a personality test?  Over the last week, I've noticed a good amount of Facebook posts about the myths to being an introvert.  For example, introverts don't like public speaking or being in crowded rooms.  It comes at a surprise to most people that I am an introvert, and if you've ever met me in person, you'd think differently.  However, I couldn't agree with my Myers-Briggs type more.  I think my favorite definition of an introvert is someone who draws energy from being alone.  There's something thrilling to me about being able to wander and explore by yourself.

Working full time has given me an appreciation for those stolen moments alone, as rare as they can be in my profession.  Last Friday, I had the opportunity of going to our company's office in Boston to have my computer fixed.  No computer meant no way of working, and with no way of working, that meant more time for exploration.  Our office is conveniently located in Back Bay, one of the oldest neighborhoods of the city and home to Copley Square (excellent shopping) and the Boston Public Library.  If you didn't know any better, you'd think I purposely brought my camera out for this.

Aside from the tourists, which for a Friday morning weren't too large in amount, the day proved to be a perfect source of creativity.  I'm one of those weird people (I think it comes from way one too many creative writing classes) who likes to write novels in their head when their alone.  I never actually write down anything, but it's fun to muse on for a bit.  With the Italian architecture and the coffered ceilings, it's really hard not to find inspiration there.

The Fun in Errors and Trifles

Have any of you guys ever written up an entire document or journal entry, and then accidentally delete it all and never recover it again?  It's funny how often that happens.  I think I'm at the point in my life where I acknowledge it, say a quick "that sucks" and move on.  Then again, that means I just get to do all of the writing and researching again this weekend, which does make me a bit excited.

Jacket:  J. Crew Nolita Indigo Denim Jacket, Shirt:  J. Crew Silk Color Block Camisole (sold out), Shorts: J. Crew 3" Chino Shorts, Necklace:  J. Crew Crystal Feather Necklace (sold out), Shoes:  Sam Edelman Heels (old), Purse:  Banana Republic, Sunglasses:  Kate Spade Gayla Wayfarers.

Call me a nerd, but I've incredibly jazzed about writing on business lately, specifically retail strategy and management.  Inspiration, as such, has come from a random source.  Case in point, the blog post lost was a discussion of J. Crew's success in revamping their brand image.  Inspiration in this instance has arisen from the fact that I completely binged last week on the J. Crew end-of-summer sale online, which explains the results of said purchases shown in pictorial form.  It truly is the power of the invisible hand at it's best, folks.  Now, thoughts are flowing once I've received these purchases, particularly, for two reasons:

• Firstly, ever notice how J. Crew's discounts (at least in the last year and a half I've been tracking this) never go above the additional 40% off?
• Secondly, how did J. Crew manage to completely revamp its image from the brand of my childhood (a somewhat itchy, standard brand of khakis and polos) to being the forefront of consumer fashion?

I've chatted with my roommate about namely the latter point in regards to how well J. Crew has done with its image.  Coming from a marketing background, she was quick to point out the flaws as much as their successes in their quick rise to cult-stardom.  At the risk of saying too much before I start writing again, I'll cut this discussion short as I have one more training video to run for work, and sleep is probably important.

 Consider this your warning, friends.  As you'll probably be hearing a good chunk of my business opinions and babbling as a result of this hobby.  I'm already having buckets of fun framing the argument in my head.  

I do have some questions, if you feel obliged to answer.  Any way to recover improperly deleted posts on the Internet?  Any tips for the wary Blogger user?  If you do, however, have some thoughts about the aforementioned questions, give me a holler.  It'd be great to get some other opinions in the mix.  You might get something out of it, like my undying love and appreciation.

In Transit: Train & Vignettes

I think this time around I'm going to take a new approach to planning out my life.  Instead of making promises that I'll break like telling people that I'll write more, I'm just going to preach the value of "no."  It appears that every time I say "yes, I will do something", life happens to body slam me with work.  This month, I vow to say no in the vain hopes that that no will turn into a freer schedule.

That said, I thought about this morning how nice it would've been to write a fantastic little vignette on riding trains and being free-spirited.  Instead, I worked my little toosh off from New York City - Penn Station to Providence, save an hour nap and a snapshot or two from Instagram.

Manhattan skyline taken from the Acela, via Instagram.

I love trains.  Something about a train station just breathes whimsy to me... with the very specific exception of Penn Station, which is an awful place.  Yet, train stations in their glory evoke a sense of vintage and old school romance, a la 2009's Chanel No. 5 commercial... and while, working on a train on Monday morning is stressful, there is nothing better than getting off at my little station and Providence, heading for a sandwich at Café la France, and all the while singing Simon and Garfunkel songs in your head.