Simply Starla's Weblog » Simple Ramblings(are they simple?)

The Cleanse – Day 1

simplystarla — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:48:33 +0000

So this is day one of my dietary – mind – body – soul cleanse! I definitely had to embark upon this experience AFTER the soulfood thanksgiving weekend, however this was definitely too important to my life transitions to wait for a new years cliché.
The great Madame B Fly is assisting myself and a few others through this 14-day process of ridding our bodies and thus our minds of the toxins we often call “good food”. Today I am to only eat one meat for the day. This is part a gradual weaning from the bad. This won’t be too difficult for me because I have been fairly successful in the goal this year of becoming vegetarian.
I guess technically I am a pescatarian but who’s really keeping track, but the social labeling snobs! You know who I am talking about. Those often arrogant folks that correct you on the generally accepted technicalities of labels. “I am not vegetarian, I am ~~better than that~~ a vegan.” “I don’t use a PC , I ~~drool over my~~ Mac.” “I don’t drive just any car, I drive a Prius!” You know who I am talking about. I am thoroughly amused by these types, but secretly envy them during my capitalistic rages(well basically just the MAC users – especially when my PC is infected with a Trojan).
Why do we do this to each other? Can’t we all just get along? Can’t we all just be ourselves – whomever and whatever that may entail?
Oh yeah – well this wasn’t meant to become a social commentary. I digress. Back to my point, I am going to document my 14-day experience doing this cleanse. Given that I don’t really have a blog following, it will be more for myself than for the masses. But if you do find yourself following melodramatic saga (yes – I AM being sarcastic) I hope you will comment and have dialogue with me!
Stay tuned for more about the cleanse!

Our kids….

simplystarla — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:47:56 +0000

So I don’t have time to write everything that I REALLY feel about the following but I am curious as to what others think. This is the mentoring tip I received in an e-newsletter:
Mentor Tip of the Month
While we encourage our students to leave the slang at the door when they enter an internship, sometimes it still comes out every once in awhile.
This month’s mentor tip gives you some insider information to understand your student intern or to up your cool factor by dropping a piece of slang into your conversation sometime.
• Wut It Dew – How are you doing?
• Coogi – cool, good
• Swag – style
• Fresh, tight, or clean – dressed nice
• Yo – hello
• On my mama – I’m so serious

What the Kale?

simplystarla — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:58:51 +0000

So last week I went to a mainstream (my name for anything that’s “normal” to most people) grocery NOT a health food store to get the staples I needed to create my new vegetarian recipes. One recipe calls for Kale. Although I had never purchased it, for some reason I knew I was going to find it with other greens – collards, turnips, cabbage, leaf lettuce, etc.

I made my way through the produce section marking items from my list. Carrots – check. Bananas – check. Mushrooms – check. Then I walked up on what I was really after the Kale!!!! YEA!!! On the road to vegetarian bliss. I was too excited to add this to my new list of grocery staples. I browsed and decided against the “normal* looking bunch and opted for the darker, larger (ok-what am I talking about?) organic bunches of Kale. You know – the darker the more nutritious right? So I threw it in my cart and made my way to get the other items on my list.

Tomatoes – check. Whole wheat bread – check.

I was on my way to get chedder cheese and milk (vegetarian not vegan yet) and that’s when I heard the first comment. Went something like this:

“Excuse me”, says the nice lady in a wheel chair.

“Yes?”, says the beautiful woman that obviously cares about her health (j/k)

“What is that?”

“This?”, I asked pointing to the Kale she was nodding towards.

“Yes. What is it?”

“Kale”

“What?”

“Its like a type of green”, says the lady’s adult daughter

“Oh – okay”, says the lady with a nod

Okay – that’s when I politely walked away smiling but wanting to scratch my head…isn’t it a green? (My healthy friend agreed – ‘it’s not LIKE a green it IS a green’ – duh!

Then it happened again.

I was waiting in the SLOWEST line ever (about 20 minutes with only 3 ppl in front of me). I had just witnessed a woman purchasing not 1, not 2, but 11 bags of onions? What do you do with all those? Make THESE then what?

Anyways, I FINALLY get to the front of the check-out and the nice older black woman makes small talk…she rings my items - then she gets to the bag of green leafy-ness, then asks, “What is this?”… I explained. I paid for my groceries and as I put the final bag in the cart, the clerk says, “Whatever you’re making looks like it MIGHT be good.”

Thanks?

So if you are wondering – what the kale? Check this out!

But I am still wondering what you do with 11 bags of onions…

I had a wonderful day on

simplystarla — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:27:34 +0000

Did you?

I hope the answer to that is YES! And I also hope that you consider volunteering your time, talent and treasure more than this one day this year.

Although the Obamas have inspired a surge in the already numerous King Celebrations, Civil Rights reflections, and community service projects, let’s not forget our duty to our ancestors, families, and communities to incorporate service in the foundation of our lives.
To serve (giveback as so many say) should be something that we all engage in on at least a weekly or monthly basis.

Is that too much to ask? Do you know that those who give receive? Do you know that there are thousand upon thousands of non-profit organizations of all sorts that could use a willing hand, an able body, a brilliant mind, or an extra dollar that you just might be able to provide them?

I often consider myself an Indianapolis non-profit guru. I pride myself in constantly learning about new community programs and organizatons. Today, my son, daughter and myself had the opportunity to volunteer at one that I had heard briefly about, but never met with or visited.

It was FAB!! Even my 11 year old daughter thought it was super cool. It also helped that the organization was house in the same facility of one of the gyms where she plays basketball and we didn’t even know it! We spent about 2 hours preparing art portfolios for students that participate in an afterschool program called Art with a Heart! I can’t wait to figure out a way to connect with the organization even more!

Again, I hope you found a cool organization to share you time with today. And I encourage you to find an organization to work with on a regular basis that fits with your mission and passions in life. AND if you have families, especially small children, consider giving back as a family.

Another hmmmm….

simplystarla — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:24:37 +0000

Email forwards just get better and better!

So this one gets me thinking about urban-black-ghetto-”special”-creative-ethnic-cultural names. Now let me first state, that I do not believe that a person should be discriminated against or judged based on their name. I believe parents can name their kids whatever they’d like but me – myself , I like to keep things SIMPLE!! (in case you haven’t gotten that point on this blog yet)

But in the spirit of uniqueness and in this instance not-so uniqueness (i think I made that word up) here’s today’s best e-mail forward!

Formal Resolutions

simplystarla — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:50:00 +0000

In general, I don’t formally make resolutions. I may say I want to lose weight, workout more, make more money, travel more, more time, more and more (you know the story of american abundance and materialism) but what I actually need is LESS!

So this year I have two major priorities (in the spirit of simplicity).

1. Eliminate any and everything that is counter productive to my life purpose, passion and priorities. i.e. if its not about my family, growing my businesses or my being (spiritual, physical and creative) I am not doing it!

And sorry folks this includes idle hours spent on the web that aren’t productive for any of these purposes!

2. Be consistent. I have tons of notes on business ideas, concepts, hobbies, activities, contacts, etc…that see 3 minutes of fame from me. I will continue to take note of these (one of them has to be a goldmine and I am welcome to share them for a small fee) but I will only bite off as much as I can chew – including my approach to blogging.

I have started to journal (again) because not all people close to me are comfortable with their own -ish so I can’t share everything with you but i will share the highlights. I also am committing to sharing something – however simple – at least once per week on this site. It is pitiful that I have notes of random thoughts and topics listed in my crackberry notes but they have never found their way to this medium… i have got to get them here!

So that’s it! Two things that in reality aren’t so simple to achieve, but instead of saying I am going to use 30 lbs that I might not, that I am going to make $30k/month that I probably won’t, I’d rather focus on those two things which will have a profound affect on my life and the lives of those closest to me!

What are your priorities for 2009???

tell me what you think?

simplystarla — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:51:37 +0000

things aren’t always as simple as I want them – haven’t been able to write about them in a while…

However, I DO want to know what you think about this:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1463341016?bctid=1790977147

Tyra Banks & Freakonomics!!!

simplystarla — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:41:15 +0000

I was pleasantly surprised today(about 10 days ago when I originally started this blog) as I caught 10 minutes of the Tyra Banks show (running late) before work. The episode was addressing the issue of names and whether a child’s name impacts the level of success they will achieve in the future. It was a topic extracted from the book Freakonomics!

READ ABOUT IT: www.freakonomicsbook.com !

The short is that this economist dispels popular cultural myths (stereotypes really) by explaining the situations using his economist logic. It is very thought provoking. I don’t know if I would have really read the book on my own – or own a copy if it wasn’t required reading for one of my grad school classes, but I am very happy I made that investment – even if it was only on amazon.com! I even had to do a group project (in the same group as my husband no less) – we presented on the chapter that is explaining why drug dealers still live with their mamas! (shout out to Kuma and Natalie:)

Names are hard right ?

Shaquana, Moniqua, Lexus? No offense to anyone reading this with those names, but really – I wonder what goes through the names of HR people when they get a resume with Shaquana Jackson vs. Sarah Simon? Is Shauana rejected? Is she thought to be some g-fabulous sista with brightly colored extensions, equally bright nails and no skills? Is Sarah a quiet, reserved, well-mannered people pleaser? HMMMMM????

I leave you to ponder that – and to battle with any thoughts you had there. I encourage you to read the book or try to catch the Tyra episode to dispel any name myths you may have.

Also check out how my business partner and I created Charly Magazine’s name -

www.thecharlymag.wordpress.com

(side-note I am singing – what’s m’n – f”n name – snoop doggy dog – in my head

WIERD!!

are you a night owl? Get paid for those hours!!!

simplystarla — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 04:08:44 +0000

So I came across this article today on yahoo.com. It’s interesting to me because it applies to my significant other and some other folks I know.

Business Careers for People Who Sleep Late

by Gabby Hyman

Sleep like a vampire during the day? Don’t fight it. British researchers have found that human beings are genetically wired to favor mornings or nights. Some of us simply have stronger mental clarity and physical endurance at different hours than our peers.

So, night owls rejoice! If your circadian rhythms run counter to the American nine-to-five workday, you can still build up a tidy nest egg and thrive in a career that operates in the afternoons and evenings. Here are six rock-solid career choices for morning haters:

Personal Financial Advisor

In tough economic times, people need expert guidance in building investment portfolios, streamlining personal budgets, and managing retirement funds. Millions of baby boomers are retiring. That’s why jobs for personal financial advisers are slated to grow by an astonishing 41 percent between 2006 and 2016.

Many advisers work for firms selling insurance or securities, but a third of them are self-employed. Not only can you sleep in, you can set your own hours. You’ll need at least an undergrad business or finance degree to earn sleeping-late privileges, and you can take exams to receive a Certified Financial Planner credential. You may also need securities-trading licenses. High-end salaries top $145,000.

Corporate Event Planner (are you sure about this one Gabby – from my random event planning experiences vendors like 9 – 5 calls and deliveries, etc.)

Planning, organizing, and executing successful company meetings, trade conferences, and publicity events for corporations and non-profit agencies makes for exacting work. If you like to attend evening events, dress up, and stay late, this can be a perfect match if you have business savvy. Depending on their organizations, event planners can be a combination of public relations manager and travel-hospitality agent.

Most business sectors (financial, manufacturing, health care, high tech) need sharp planners to manage grand openings, festivals, fundraisers, seminars, new product launches, award events, annual meetings, and holiday events. You can prep for this career with a degree in public relations or business administration. PR and promotions managers average between $73,060 and $82,180 in annual wages.

IT Manager ( I believe that just for the mere fact that it’s after midnight and I am blogging and reading about this ish – tryna to launch a online women’s community like no other – Charly Magazine – see the mag link to your right! )

Computers rarely sleep and neither do the companies that rely on IT managers to oversee network systems around the clock. If late morning, afternoon, or evening shifts appeal to you, there’s a digital system somewhere that needs immediate tending. In regions where tech is king (Silicon Valley, for example), IT managers work flexible schedules, wrapping their hours outside of heavy commute times.

Look for undergrad and grad degree programs in networking, security, business, or an MBA program with a focus in technical management. Median earnings for IT managers skyrocket well into six figures, which means you’ll sleep well no matter the hours you keep.

Lodging/Dining Manager

Envision yourself as a kind of Casablanca Rick, plying customers with good service and building a late-night establishment with a fierce customer loyalty? Hotel and dining managers are night-owl classics, often staying after closing to have a cocktail with their staff or devoted patrons. You may be the last to lock up after doing the books.

Prepare for success by enrolling in a hospitality or culinary management degree program, or by earning a degree in business or management. Work for a major lodging or dining company, or at a family-run hotel, bed and breakfast, cafe, or bar. Sign up with an international hotel firm and find yourself waking up late–in paradise.

Management Consultant (arguably most consultants!!!)

Management consultants are engaged to help their clients work smarter, not harder. They are role models of the concept, often choosing when and how much they want to work. If you join their ranks, you’ll probably begin at a management consulting firm, working straight hours until you develop your own clientele and launch your own business. You’ll still have to hustle, but you can take time off between contracts, and set appointments that suit your body clock.

The Department of Labor predicts that “management, scientific, and technical consulting services” will remain among the fastest-growing careers (at an incredible 78 percent) for at least the coming decade. A business degree program is the best place to start. If you already have a degree in accounting, high tech, or health care, shoot for an MBA to bolster your credentials and your salary, which can vary greatly depending on your level of expertise.

Call Center Manager (since reading “The World is Flat” I would ask – answering calls in WHAT country????)

Jobs for call center managers are expected to grow by a dizzying 25 percent through 2016. Call center managers work afternoon and evening shifts supervising customer service representatives. You’ll focus on improving performance metrics, agents training and coaching, and forecasting call volumes.

Managers can hail from within service organizations, but many improve their chances for gaining top management roles in pursuing business degrees. Average national salary for call center managers is $61,512.

Today…

simplystarla — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:48:07 +0000

Have you ever had similar things happen to you over and over and over again? For instance, have you worked at several jobs and always have the same “problem” with each of them? Or have you had many, many friends but each “did you wrong”? Do you feel overwhelmed by this phenomena? Like its you against the world?

If you answered yes, chances are that you are going through temporary insanity! Have you heard the ever popular definition of insanity? It is: To repeat the same activity over and over again expecting a different result!

So, I might have loss some readers by now – because of course she/he is NOT the problem! But, if you are still with me I am suggesting saying that WE in fact ARE INSANE!!! Now, I am working on becoming more of an optimist – so let’s say we are only temporarily insane, but insane nonetheless.

Now what are we going to do about? BECOME THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.IDENTIFY ONE THING YOU CAN DO TODAY THAT WILL AFFECT YOUR TOMORROW. BE ABOUT YOUR PASSION. LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE TODAY, SO YOU CAN LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE TOMORROW. SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO WHAT UNSUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DON’T. These are all popular, semi-popular methods to cure the insanity.

What’s insanity to me is knowing and believing all of those statements and more, but continuing to do the opposite. A year ago, 6-months ago, even a week ago (this morning?), I found myself utterly frustrated with certain situations and often asking myself – “how did I get into this mess”. From an unruly house, a SPECIAL marriage, happy but could be happier kids, mounting debts, okay but not great business, and enjoyable but badly paying job – I have known many of these circumstances all too well.

So my point is????? Today is different because today I give as much thanks for the hardships as I do for the good times. Today is better because I have heard those same messages in a very different voice. Today I understand that I can do everything that I want to and that everyone in my life just won’t understand it. Today I will not become overwhelmed by life, I am going to overwhelm others lives’ with my passion.
My passion is my purpose and I recognize it each time I am able to connect people with information that will make a positive impact in their own lives. I do this sporadically, but TODAY I recognize that there is a power working within me and not against me. Each opportunity that I receive to share knowledge, connect people, and promote helpful resources is an opportunity for me to do HIS work! Today, I will conquer my fears – everyone won’t like it, everyone is NOT my friend, I CAN make money doing what I love to do, I CAN turn my circumstances around beginning today and I will learn and teach others from my mistakes. Today, I recognize that I am not hearing the same quotes, learning the same lessons for nothing. Today, I am focused on doing what I was put on this earth to do!

What about you? What are YOU going to do to end the insanity TODAY???