The Little Things

*Typing to: Ring Ring by Sleigh Bells, Blood Bank by Bon Iver, No Love by Little Dragon, Possibility by Lykke Li, 9 Crimes by Damian Rice

It won’t be hard for me to post positive today as I’m headed back to California from a mini-vacay to Maui with 2 of my favorite people. It also doesn’t hurt that I’m jamming with my fancy new headphones. They’re boombastic.

Coasting through the air its bittersweet to leave paradise and land back to reality, but with a blanket of cotton swabs below me and cool glow of an amber sunset in the literal horizon I can’t help but entertain you with a memorable incite from my trip…

January 28^th is my parents wedding anniversary. Most years you can find these two beach / pool bums on Kaanapali shores in Maui. This year marked 33 years of love and marriage as the theme song to, “Married with Children” that was at one time so popular in my home as a kid, plays in my head.

33 years amazes me, I sat back to think and observe and then I can see why…

• The way they make breakfast in the condo like a perfected dance routine. Mom toasting her bread and frying her single egg while dad concocts his famous French toast recipe.
• The way mom always puts toothpaste on Dad’s toothbrush before bed.
• When Dad selects and orders the wine (that only mom and I drink) and on the anniversary makes sure to order a special one that would make my Mom giddy.
• Brief and intimate moments where I would catch them holding hands.
• Comfortable quietness without the need to clog the silence with words.
• The way my mom calls MY dad, “Pa” “Father” and “Daddy” as if her children were toddlers and she shouldn’t call him Ralph.
• The irritating but loving way that my Mom would look at my dad when he would order something a little less healthy.

Finally, the way that they both compliment each other on our way out to the door to dinner…why Jen do you ask why this is such a telling notion? After spending literally the entire day in board shorts, bathing suits and oversized t-shits, hair not combed and no make up, they get “dressed” for dinner.

Dad wearing his new Hawaiian shirt, souvenir sandals, cologne, hair combed (perhaps gel), and his dress watch and ring. Mom in her “flashy” (I “” flashy b/c if anyone knows my mom you know that shirt was not flashy but a notch up from her cute countryJ), sandals with a 1 inch heel and her diamond earrings from their 25^th Anniversary.

Dad: “You look nice dear.”

Mom: “Daddy you look so handsome. Jennifer doesn’t Daddy look nice in his new shirt?!”

AGAIN, why am I focusing so heavily on something like this? Isn’t this compliment that men and women pay each other tracked back to first dates and encounters? I think its amazing that after 33 years with one person that small/brief and to some insignificant 2 lines of conversation still happens. The Little Things.

As I wrote in their card on Friday, because we both know mom doesn’t know how to turn on a computer and dad probably doesn’t really know that I write a blog or what a blog is…

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.

Mom, mahalo for working double shifts at Sambo’s diner.

Dad, mahalo to you and the rest of the farming clan for having breakfast, lunch and dinner at Sambo’s and for getting the courage to ask my mom out for a beer.

Love you Ma and Daddy…

Everyone go and do some Little Things to those that mean something to you, friends, family, hubby, wifey, dog, cat, whatever.

Signing out,

Polly

Be focused, friendly and phenomenal...

I've gone back and re-read a few of my blogs and I think I'm starting to sound like a bad motivational conference speaker. And looking back on my conference planning days, that's the last thing I want to resemble.
So today I'm going to share some things that actually MAKE me WANT to be positive. Things that bring me back to "center", things that I embrace to keep me focused, friendly and phenomenal...

Friendly Advice: We all have um, we all depend on um, and all of um give advice. Let's face it, some better than others, right?
Recently I got some friendly advice from, you guessed it, an ol friend via gchat. Even through that magical lil green lite chat window, he enlightened me in a way that I did not see coming.
I was obsessing about a current life situation and being kinda of a "debbie downer", that's right I said it, not Positive Polly, in fact I insist on NOT capitalizing "deb's" name, as I refuse to accept as a Proper Noun.
ANYWAYS...I was upset/disappointed with something and here is the gist of the chat:

me: I hate that I feel that way
Jeremy: Don't hate the fact that you're living realistically
me: its just such a damper
Jeremy: Because you let it be
me: dang
calling me out on some sh**
thank you
Jeremy: That just happened

The phrase in red above I think may look simple and not obvious to what I'm getting at...but let me digress.
Anytime we find ourselves in a "funk" or "let down" or "resentful" it is because we let ourselves feel that way. Sure this isn't true for each and every situation but day to day with things big and small, its true. I was letting myself feel funky about something and it was only because I let myself do that. Basically, as I'm sure Jeremy will agree...shit or get off the pot...own your emotions and don't just sit around waiting for the universe to change them because it won't. Thanks for the friendly advice Jer...I needed a dose of my own medicine.

DANCE IT OUT: Quite possibly my favorite thing to get me out of a funk. Not just any dancing. But the kind of dancing where you let it all go. You close your eyes or stare at the neon light...and think of nothing besides the electricity in the air moving your body. The "IT" that is danced out is different for everyone. For me I can get this release and "re-centering" of myself with live music or simply in a friends living room shakin it b/c no one cares what you look like. This leads me to Jen's Concert Series ....which is really concerts that I will/want to be going to and where I plan on Dancing It Out. Let me know if you would like to join:

Jen's Concert Series
January 21 - Zion I - Oakland
February 3 - Nels Cline - SF
February 4 - (its a secret) - SF
February 22 - Yo La Tengo - Oakland
February - Cake - SF
March 18 - Girl Talk - Oakland - SOLD OUT SH**
April 1 - Galactic - SF
April 12 - Bright Eyes - Oakland
April 15-17 - Coachella

My first Dance It Out Moment - circa 2004/5 - Old Ironsides, Lipstick Night. You know who you are if you were there. ....

Alright, signing out in my favourite colour....
Be Happy and Be Well,

love,

Polly

Yes, another New Years Blog Post...

You guessed it, Positive Polly coming out with a new blog post that will probably focus on the same things that many of you other bloggers have been writing. For example; a 2010 review, wishes for 2011 and of course resolutions, resolutions, resolutions...

No doubt, I will try to keep it interesting, funky and fresh for ya.

2010 a year in review:

No I will not bore you with my ENTIRE year in review. But I have to say that 2010 was a pretty big contributor to the creation of Positive Polly. Lots has happened this year alone that has allowed me to try to be a better and happier person everyday.

2010 held some special jems of good times...kicking it off with one of the BEST NYE's ever with my homegirl Gyna holding it down in Seattle with our new ceramic kitty, better known as Pussy. Thats right we named it and it was more than funny.

For those of you that know us bandits, you know that we had a blast ringing in the new year in what is now one of my favorite cities. Starting off the year this way was only an omen for more goodness to come.
Concerts and Sunday Fundays with friends were as usual all the rage for my Sac Town Trio - Gynes, Melly and Kimmy Boi.
It was also full of baby blessings and weddings o plenty, new mamas Carrie and Jacqueline - you are amazing and I miss you both!

Speaking of babies...My sister gave birth to my beautiful niece, Anabella Grace as well this year! Very excited to have a new lil girl in the family. We were surrounded with boys for wayy too long. Of course this year was full of fun play time with my best buddy, Joe Joe:
It wouldn't be right to not mention the Great Move of 2010. Well not that big of move, but leaving Sac Town for Oak Town was more difficult that I thought it would be, however I am SO happy for the change and I am in love with living here in the Bay. People like Nick, Kim, the Kleins, Mateo and new friends have made me feel like this is my new home. But I need to do a proper shout out to my Sac peeps...please know I miss you dearly, I mean it. Nothing out here will replace dance nights at press club, bike days, brunch at capitol garage, runs in the park, beers at streets, 2nd saturday art walk, or sunny porch parties. Love and miss you all.
My trip to South America was also ridonkulous and HUGE shout out to Kare Bear for hosting such an amazing life experience.
Lastly, this year has been a big one for me with my physical and health goals. 70 L.Bs have been shed and I'm hoping for a few more...depending on the Big 4 Dubs...The Big W.W.W.W = Weekly Workouts, Weigh-ins and Wine. Thank you to all of you that encouraged me on my journey thus far, I wouldn't have been able to do it without you, especially R.E.L, Mommie, Kim Kim, and Lola).

Wishes and Resolutions Life Solutions
Resolution #1 - Top 2010
Resolution #2 - Run a Half Marathon - for real this time...
Resolution #3 - Stay in Better Contact with my Friends and Family. Too often I let time pass and make excuses for not touching base and caring for those that I love. I need to do a better job at this. period.
Resolution #4 - Save and then Save some more for Resolution #5
Resolution #5 - Book a Ticket to Portugal/Spain

As far as my wishes are concerned... as usual I wish for myself/everyone to try to add a lil more positivity and compassion into their lives everyday. I wish to stay positive when I want to scream at the car in front of me, when they get my order wrong at the coffee shop, when I am let down, when something doesn't pan out, when my car is towed, or when I loose my keys ... everyday I face this challenge to let these arbitrary and minor defects either effect me and my person OR not. I wish to continue to live with a positive and lite heart because if 2010 is any sign of this, only good things are to come of this mentality.

Alright already, go out and choose to have a good day.

<3

Polly

Christmas is Next Week … What’s Up With That?!

Sooooo in case anyone hasn’t noticed Christmas is next week. WHAT. Is. Up. With. That?

As the years go by I see how much more time flies. I feel like only a few short weeks ago it was Thanksgiving…o wait it was.

Speaking of which, this year was yet again an epic Thanksgiving for the Santos fam bam.

After a night of boozieness in Monterey on Wednesday with ol friends … the standard, a few beers before, head to Alvarado, stand in the - you’re standing way to close to me - line at Lala’s knowing that you must order a double because you don’t know when how long its going to be until your next one…

Roll out of bed and head to Cayucas to my Auntie Dar and Uncle Nate’s home. To the top of the mountain we went. The next three days were spent with family, friends, vineyards, hikes, sweatpants, food and an odd combination of College Football and the Housewives of Beverly Hills … not sure why but both men and women alike were enthralled.

We, a family 20+ deep, huddle up in my Auntie Dar and Uncle Nate’s home at the top of Wallace mountain. They have to be the most interesting people I know. Auntie Dar known for always having enough air mattresses/beds for everyone, boiling the silverware, making sure you take your shoes off at the door b/c they might have “PO” (poison oak) on them, for buzzing around the kitchen managing an entire meal with such a calm demeanor and for having Shrinky Dinks for the kids to color and watch shrink as they bake in the oven.

She has the ability for you to actually miss her the moment you see/talk to her because you can actually feel how wonderful she is and how happy you are to have her as your Aunt. It's weird that someone can make you feel homesick when you are home.

My favorite part about Uncle Nate is that he is a freak of nature. I have no idea how old he is but I hope I am as ambitious, motivated and active when I get to be that age. I always learn something when I’m around him. Maybe something about grapes and wine and his new blends, or where to hike on the mountain, or maybe about his days as a school teacher or about the new goat that was born that he had to bottle feed b/c the mom rejected her AND then I get to feed the goat.

And of course the meal is ridiculous. But before the meal our family tradition (and educational moment) is when everyone forms a circle around the tables and holds hands. First person to start is given the A and they have to mention something they are thankful for that starts with the letter “A”, next person has “B” and so on. This year I had “O”, I was thankful for my cousin’s beautiful/smart daughter Olivia. It's nice to stop for a minute and let everything in 1 room be about 1 thing. What we are thankful for…”H” for health, “F” for friends, and so on.

After the meal of 2 different stuffings and a dozen different desserts, everyone retires to their favorite food coma position. For me this year, I had a primo spot in the comfy chair right in front of the game with a pillow so perfectly tucked for me to take a Tryptophan power nap to gear up for round 2.

Nice. Yes, thanksgiving on the mountain is one of my favorite trips to take with my family.

Moving on to Christmas…I have been assigned the notorious Relish Tray. Last year I really stepped up my game so I look forward to setting yet again another record for the tastiest assortment of pickled crap known to your local grocery store.

And LOOK There’s More!

A musical moment brought to you by Positive Polly...

I first heard about Alma Desnuda a few years back through my friend Karen, her co worker Paul was part of this band and I had always heard great things. The first time I saw them perform was outside of the Fillmore before a Brett Dennen show just jamming out for the wild kids that came out to wait in line early and have a good time on the street. I think the next time I saw them was maybe at a house party of sorts, always a good vibe and HAPPY/Thankful men.

This past Monday I went to their live show at Yoshi’s in SF. Let me just say they have come so far from that corner outside the Fillmore. They moved and grooved the audience and I am truly thankful for being able to see their set. Thanks guys.

A song that sticks out in "Great Big Water". One of the first times I heard this song I think I was on a 10 hour bus somewhere in Bolivia with Karen, we were stressed that the transmission or tires were going to blow out so she suggested we listen to some Alma D.

With 1 ear bud in my right ear and the other in her left…we were able to relax.

All in all this band does what seems like more for the communities it travels to then for themselves.

Check out their music and the trailer to a documentary about them if you feel so inclined, by their album or buy some stuff, these guys are going on tour to Austrailia and Indonesia, help buy them a beer, they deserve it…

Will be back soon.

Love,

Polly

Captain’s log, Wednesday September 8th 2010, 6:31pm

Captain’s log, Wednesday September 8^th 2010, 6:31pm

I’m writing this from what I think the captain just said, “41,000 feet” (is that right?) and (1) really large and expensive airport beer deep.

I’m having a moment in a surprisingly spacious airplane cabin. At 6:05PM I (passenger A47) boarded my SW flight to Denver, on my first “traveling” with wings adventure with CitySolve (CS). CS has a race in both Denver this Saturday September 11^th.

Myself and amazing coworker slash partner in crime slash amazing, Andrea (ooo ooo yea girl blog shout out!!!) will meet in Denver tomorrow to finalize the plans for what will be another race day of debauchery on Saturday. From here I get to have my wonderful friend, Lola from Sacramento/Colorado pick me up from the airport and celebrate my first trip to Colorado. Lucky girl I am.

Its here, as I stretch my legs, b/c no one is sitting next to me that I compose this blog and that I have a self proclaiming …. AAAHAAA moment.

For those of you facebook followers that I know from my S.T.A.R days as a youngen, you hopefully as I do remember our morning sessions with our S.T.A.R leaders where we rehearsed and studied the idea and the concept of an actor’s character, “AHAA” moment. I know I do. For those of you that didn’t join us for Summer Theater Arts Repertoire (fancy words for Summer Acting Camp) at the ripe age of 12, try to follow along if you can’t figure out what a 12 year old could – an AAHAAA moment.

This AHA moment is brought on as I stare out the small rectangle window headed to a destination that I have never been and I have nothing but excitement.

I think a little over a year ago, I would be full of anxiety and nerves. Well, the person I was a year or 2 ago wouldn’t have boarded the plane, left Sacramento or quit her stable job and took on one of the biggest leaps of her life. This Jen/Positive Polly did just that – a year later I/ME/MYSELF/JEN/POLLY did that. And that is my AHA moment.

And I couldn’t be happier.

For those of you close enough to know who I was 2 years ago (not just 1 year) – you know that I was not I/ME/MYSELF/JEN/POLLY. I had let something/one destructive take over me like a disease and it was 2 years ago that I started curing myself of that sickness and began the adventure of finding who I/ME/MYSELF/JEN/POLLY really was.

Well here I am. And I Love I/ME/MYSELF/JEN/POLLY. I am now officially who I want to be and where I want to be (of course not perfect and this journey is no where near over).

AHAA.

For my Positive Polly quote of the day, I want to repeat a similar idea from above.

Find the version or yourself that you like the most…and be that person everyday. By reminding myself to be the best and most positive version of myself – I have found myself here.

As I try to reiterate my thoughts, I don’t have everything figured out and I DO NOT know the key(s) to happiness, but I know what makes me a lil better and really that’s all I can hope for, for anyone…just to always try and be a lil better.

Signing off…still at some absurd height in the sky…now (1) glass of red wine deep (cheers mom).

Love,

Polly

Sunshine

Hello again,

It has been a very very very eventful week/weekend.

Its amazing how much can change in a weekend. I have just finished packing a HUGE suitcase that somehow needs to fit all of my belongings for my first week away from Sacramento. What a crazy week this is going to be...

- Exploring my way throughout Piedmont, Oakland, Berkeley and San Francisco.

- Starting a new job that is bound to change me forever. Gulp. Eyes Wide Open.

- Saying goodbye for now to friends that I love

- Saying hello to old friends and making new connections

- Saying hello to my new Niece! Anabella Grace

As everyone has been telling..."I have many new adventures to come". This encouragement has kept me more that positive. Of course the hardest thing about all of this is leaving those that I love, those that I feel normal around, that I feel at home with and those friends that have supported me throughout the past 8 years. Tear.

BUT I couldn't have asked for a better situation...amazing job, new environment, and great family to stay with.

The sunshine has been out this week and I have been soaking in it. That vitamin D has done me good.

Looking for some fun tonight...maybe some trouble!

Here is the link to our next race in SAN FRANCISCO!

http://www.citysolveurbanrace.com/2010/san-francisco-urban-adventure-race.html

Heart and Soul

Recently I was reminded by a friend that my blog followers put their Heart and Soul into reading this so I should refrain from the "teaser" blogs ... like the past 2.

So I'm back. Enjoy some updates of my journeys:

As promised Bay to Breakers Shenanigans ... speaking of Nick...a group of us convened at Nick and Kim's lovely new home in Oakland and prepped for what would be one of the longest (earliest) beverage consuming days ever. Its been a while since I cracked a beer at 6:30am and enjoyed the sweet (or not so sweet) taste of Bud Light.
As we boarded BART at 6:30 AM in our Shower Caps and Robes garb we were greeted by actual "racers" as they giggled, pointed and stared at our short shorts, short robes, shower caps, long socks and fanny packs, the only plausible response we had was, "Do you guys know where we can find a shower?"

From there we ventured to a rooftop party (mind you at 7:30am) there we get reved and ready for the day to come. As you can imagine the day was a bit crazy... backpacks of beer, costumes o plenty, donut holes, phallic shaped buildings, drunken cheetah, too many ninja turtles, the street o pee, hayes hill madness, Jesus, the Pope, the most amazing portapotties, butt slapping, and old and new friends.
I ran with an oldie but a good crew that day, 2 of my boys that I have been friends for years (since I was 19, yikes). It was great playing with them for the day and reliving the days when we were young and drinking all day in costumes was a common occurrence. Luff chew guys.

The Cherry Hut Chronicles
Big Ralph is at it again this year...this time with a sidekick, his son. That's right people, Ralphie is now a full time El Camino Packing employee. History must repeat itself..Santos and Son is back...
For an update on this years cherry crop, check out my link to the right. A local news team came out to the orchards and interviewed the Ralphs.

Whats Up With That??
2 things...
1. Deadliest Catch airing the death of one of the captains. Seriously? I walked into the break room today and as I'm prepping my breakfast as a news station is discussing how terrible it is that the Discovery Channel showed one of the featured captains passing and death. Not to mention with his son in the back ground watching what would probably be the worst day of his own life. The contradiction that this new station is broadcasting to 100's of thousands of people disgusts me. The story as told by the barbie/ken duo, attempted to depict concern or astonishment that the DC would show such an event. BUT the ENTIRE time barbie/ken were talking the footage from the Discover Channel was looping in the back ground over and over and over again. Not only do I wave my pointy finger at the what I thought was a decent and semi respectable source of reality TV, Discovery Channel. But I'm obviously disgusted with the news station that was looping the footage. I'm assuming at this point I don't have to share my sentiment about how private that matter is. More importantly cameras were only rolling for money and us dumb Americans that can't get enough of someone else's problems. WHATs UP WITH THAT!?
If I can encourage you to do anything...please don't youtube it, google it, bing it, hulu it etc...thats how we can show respect.
How's that for heart and soul Nickie?

What's up with that #2:
2. Pre-Date Rituals for Men:
Everyday on my commute to work I listen to Mark & Brian in the morning on 96.9FM. This morning the guys were naming off rituals men should do before a first date (see link to right for descriptions). As I was listening I heard things that I haven't seen a man do for me in years, I started to wonder about the dating pool that us twenty somethings are dealing with. Check out the list.
- Shine your shoes
- Clean your car
- Apply Fragrance an hour before you meet
- Manscape
- Iron your shirts
- Pack a date kit: gum, breath mints, money, etc
- Shave
- Clean your sheets and your bathroom
- Confirm your plans
- Work out

Now, let me digress for a moment. Some of these rituals are a lil fancy for my liking...that being said I am more of a low maintenance girl and am completely turned off by the high maintenance man that truly manscapes his face like a race track or expects to wooo me into his clean sheets b/c he shined his shoes. BUT to me I found it interesting, because it seems like the art of the "First Date" is fading fast in our generation...its more like "lets get a drink" or "I'll text you" or "meet you there" or "if you're around...". And in NO way are things necessarily bad, nor are men the only ones causing this lack of romance and chivalry. Because that's really what it is right? Romance. B/C in the grand scheme of things, romance means business. Business time. OR it means that your feelings and intentions are out there, take them or leave them. And isn't that what people seem to be hiding or rather protect? For the good or the bad of those feelings, they are pushed aside.
No I am not jaded, No I am not a man-hater, Yes, I will stay positive in this dating pool. :)
I just found it an interesting discussion topic. "I'm getting verklempt, here, I'll give you a topic...dating in 2010, discuss" I heart Mike Myers.

Alright everyone, open your minds and have a beautiful day... <3