Question of the Day #991

Carmageddon. Sounds ominous, right?

This weekend, a portion of the 405 freeway is going to shut down for 53 hours. This may sound uneventful to a non-Angelino, but if you live in Los Angeles, the idea of closing a major artery in the already clogged heart of the city is akin to a complete shut down of the entire system.

On any given day, 500,000 vehicles pass through that section of freeway. So those 500,000 drivers will be displaced, traveling alternate roads and tilting an already fragile infrastructure into the crazy zone.

So, Los Angeles, the city of hypernews and gossip, did what it does best and created a genius marketing plan around the event. City officials have urged drivers to stay off the road. They asked people to stay in their neighborhoods for the weekend. People are planning block parties. Bars are scheduling pub crawls and offering $5 Car Bombs and Cadillac Margaritas. Celebrities are tweeting, "Stay off the roads!"

It just may turn out that all that manufactured fear will create less LA traffic than we'd experience any given weekend.

What marketing campaign strikes you as genius?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #990

If you had to pick one person to be stranded on an island with, who would you choose?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #989

If you could visit the past or the future, which would you choose and where would you go?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #988

Yesterday, while driving through Beverly Hills, C and I passed a house which had a giant Statue of Liberty on the front lawn.

I'm a big fan of freedom, but I'm not sure I'd choose to plant Lady Liberty on my lawn.

But if you had to put a statue in your front yard, what kind of statue would it be?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #987

If you could somehow jump into a book and actually become part of the story and live it for yourself, which book would you choose?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #986

Quote of the night: "That's where I draw the line!"

Where do you draw the line?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #985

When I stayed up last night for porch talk with H and TY, I probably should have remembered that east coast people wake up ridiculously early when they visit the west coast.

Since one of my favorite Jersey Girls is visiting, and she woke up during the 6:00AM hour, I'm feeling a little wonky this morning.

Hopefully a beach walk will work it all out.

Regardless, the question is, what nuances are you reminded of when you have visitors?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #984

My father just gave me a lovely compliment regarding my confidence and persistence. The fact that he noticed made me feel good.

Who was the last person who complimented you? What was the compliment? How did it make you feel?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #983

One of the benefits of living with a guy is enjoying his subscription to Men's Health. (When they write about women's wants and needs and how we think, they're actually right on. So much so that I wonder if any men actually read Men's Health. But that's a whole other post.)

According to Men's Health, in a 2009 study from Germany, researchers asked people how they felt about their age. Those who were happy with their age lived an average of two years longer than people were bothered by it.

Apparently, acceptance of aging, rather than denial of it, is related to healthy behaviors.

I feel, smarter, better and healthier every year. How do you feel about your age?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #982

Today has been cRaZy. It's after 5:00PM and I am only now writing a question. I really don't know what happened. I worked, cleaned the house in preparation for a visit from a Jersey Girl and then I went food shopping so she doesn't starve.

So maybe it's not so much what I accomplished but what I didn't accomplish. For example, I forgot to write a question. I also forgot to invoice a client and I forgot to pay an important invoice.

Then I just realized the craziest thing. I forgot to eat. I never forget to eat!

Clearly, I'm having a scatterbrained day. What kind of day are you having?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #981

I invited friends over to watch fireworks last night. But on Sunday night, while curled up on the couch, fully immersed in True Blood, I heard a pop. Then a boom.

I jumped up and went outside. Fireworks exploded over the deck. Giant color splashes lit up the sky. The overhead show was amazing.

And a night early.

I felt so bad that I mixed up the schedule. I thought the fireworks were Monday night, not Sunday night. My friends were expecting a show.

Ultimately, we did see fireworks on the 4th. They were just far more distant than the ones I'd witnessed the night before.

What dates have you mixed up?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #980

1. Sausages
2. Corn on the cob
3. Mac and cheese
4. Ice cold beer
5. Bathing suit
6. Towels
7. Patriotic playlist
8. Sunshine
9. Beach
10. Pool
11. Sunscreen
12. Good buddies

My checklist is complete. What more could I need? How are you spending your holiday?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #979

"I had heard so much about how amazing J was that I was actually nervous about meeting him," N's wife said.

"Oh, it's true. By then people considered J and me a man-couple," N said.

The three of us glance over at J, poolside dancing to hip-hop.

"After she met him, we drove away saying, 'I think that went pretty well, don't you?'" N said.

I laugh.

"Ridiculous, like meeting the parents."

"Exactly," they said.

Who have you been nervous to meet?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #978

Today, I will celebrate my freedom by brainstorming with a couple friends. Because in this country, women can write, create and be anything we want to.

Then I will get a pedicure, because in the U.S.A., women are free to wear shorts and sandals. We don't have the burden of covering our bodies head to toe.

Finally, I will celebrate my freedom by attending my friend J's pool party. There we will eat plenty of food, enjoy a few cocktails and swim. Because as Americans, we are lucky enough to prosper and celebrate.

How will you celebrate your freedom this holiday weekend?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #977

H is at jury duty. I just got a text, "Only in LA do they have to talk about celebrities and media at juror orientation."

That's a good one.

Here's another, "Only in LA do you have to plan an hour to drive 12 miles."

What's unique to your city?

How would you fill in this blank? Only in [Your City] ______________________________ .

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #976

My neighbor's windows are covered with architectural plans. At night, only tiny edges of light glow from inside.

Sometimes I wonder if there are bodies in there.

At Mansfield, Creepy Bob lived next door. He used to invite the girls over for free headshots, claiming he was a photographer.

We later learned he was a registered sex offender.

Then there was Syd, across the street. Her windows were covered with aluminum foil. We'd sit on the porch and watch while men driving fancy cars parked and entered her house. One would stay about an hour then leave. Ten minutes later, another guy would pull up.

Have you ever had any shady neighbors?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #975

Has there ever been a product you were crazy about that was discontinued? If so, what was it?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #974

B's Facebook status update reads: "What tragedy to come home from vacation and find your refrigerator door open."

I've been surprised a couple times after a trip. There was the time M & A had been assigned to water all the flowers by the pool and I came home to shriveled, droopy plants. And there was the time I came home and S had taken over my room. Moved in. Totally.

I gave her about 43 seconds to get out.

And I do recall, after a cross country drive, coming home to a fabulous surprise welcome home party.

What surprise have you gotten when you arrived home from vacation?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #973

Yesterday, the Mansfielders and I played round after round of Marry, Fling, Kill.

To play, you choose one of the following people to marry, have a fling with or kill. For example, of Rhianna, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, the guys decided they would kill Katy Perry, have a fling with Rhianna and marry Lady Gaga. Get it?

But my favorites came via text, as M & K on their way home, were still playing. This time with famous trios:

1. Rachel
2. Monica
3. Phoebe

and

1. Jerry
2. George
3. Kramer

I couldn't get past Jerry George and Kramer. Can you imagine marrying one of them?

Ohhh. Too funny. Anyway, out of those famous trios, who would you marry, have a fling with or kill?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #972

My friend D's birthday was yesterday. D has always been a fan of my meatballs, so I cooked some up, along with some sausage and peppers and packaged them up like a birthday present.

Around midnight, I received the picture above.

What big hit gift have you given?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #971

I don't have a yard, so I potted some herbs, cherry tomatoes and gerber daisies. Summer is not really here yet, so thus far, I've only had the opportunity to pop a couple tomatoes in my mouth.

But my mom's garden in Vermont is exploding in blooms. And Green Girl is Wisconsin has grown perfect pink peonies. My sister in law posted gorgeous pictures of her garden too.

What's blooming in your world?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #970

Maybe I'm a sap, but I could have cried with relief when I got home last night. Traveling is good, but coming home is one of the best parts for me.

After a long trip, what is coming home like for you?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #969

Nashville is full of live music. I got off the plane and heard a guy singing and playing guitar in the airport bar. Yesterday afternoon, downtown, a band or a singer with a guitar played in every bar or restaurant I popped my head into. In the middle of the day on a Wednesday.

It's awesome! Like the whole city is pumping music.

What was special about the last city you visited?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #968

My friend M posted this Facebook status this morning:

"Wondering how much money you need to just disappear and start over. Just something that I think about from time to time."

How much money do you think it would take? And do you ever think about it?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #967

My coworker, T, and I are going to facilitate a customer service training today. She usually starts the presentation, then I join in and we sort of ping pong off each other. We try to keep the participants laughing and it's not that hard because T is really sharp and funny.

We got thrown together, but it turns out, we're an awesome team. Working with her makes work fun.

Who do you enjoy working with?

xoxo,
Suzanne